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fre:ac Audio Converter 1.1.2 Adds Dark Mode Support

Last updated: June 22, 2020

fre:ac audio converter

fre:ac audio converter 1.1.2 was released a few days ago. The new release features UI scaling to the system font size, theme colors and dark mode support on Linux, and many improvements and bug-fixes.

Fre:ac 1.1.2 release highlights:

  • Scale UI to adjust to system font size by default
  • Added support for theme colors and dark mode on Linux/FreeBSD
  • Improved handling of maximized window state on Linux/FreeBSD and macOS
  • Removed non-working option to not lock CD trays while ripping
  • Stop ripping before trying to eject a disc
  • Write audio data CRC to log files when ripping
  • Write MD5 checksums to log files when verifying files
  • Write log entries when replacing existing files

How to Install fre:ac in Ubuntu:

fre:ac is available in Snap, Flatpak, and Appimage package formats.

Snap package:

The software is available as snap package, which runs in sandbox. Simply search for and install it from Ubuntu Software.

You can alternatively install the snap by running command in terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T):

snap install freac

Flatpak package:

fre:ac is also available as flatpak package, runs in sandbox, in flathub repository.

You can run following commands one by one to setup flatpak and install fre:ac in Ubuntu:

sudo apt install flatpak

flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

flatpak install flathub org.freac.freac

Appimage package:

There’s also single executable Appimage package available for download.

Grab “freac-x.x.x-linux-x86_64.AppImage” for 64-bit system, or “freac-x.x.x-linux-i686.AppImage” for 32-bit.

Make executable in file Properties > Permissions, then right-click and select “Run” to open the software.

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How to Install Chromium Browser via .deb in Ubuntu 20.04

Last updated: January 4, 2022

Prefer installing Chromium browser via DEB rather than using SNAP package? Here’s how to install Chromium .deb package in Ubuntu 20.04 via PPA.

Since Ubuntu 20.04, Chromium deb in the main repository is empty!! It will automatically install the containerized snap package when you trying to install it via apt command.

For those prefer deb to the universal snap package format, user may install the browser either from Linux Mint repository or using a third-party Ubuntu PPA.

Option 1: Install Chromium using Linux Mint repository:

Linux Mint, the popular Ubuntu based system now maintains the latest Chromium DEB packages in its repositories since the developers does not like Snap.

I’ve written about how to add the Linux Mint repository and install Chromium step by step in another post.

Install Chromium package from Linux Mint

Option 2: Install Chromium via third-party Ubuntu PPA:

Personally, I prefer the package from Linux Mint a bit more. Though, there’s now a trustworthy third-party PPA maintains the latest Chromium package. And, the PPA supports Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 20.04 and Ubuntu 21.04 so far. Ubuntu 21.10 is somehow not supported at the moment.

1. Add the PPA

Firstly, press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard to open terminal. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:savoury1/chromium

Type user password (no asterisk feedback) when it asks and hit Enter to continue

For Ubuntu 20.04 and earlier, the FFmpeg PPA is also required as dependency:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:savoury1/ffmpeg4

NOTE: Update system ffmpeg library might cause conflict to other packages in your system. It’s NOT recommended for beginners!

2. Update the package cache:

For Ubuntu 18.04 and earlier, user need to manually update the package cache after adding the PPA. To do so, run command in terminal:

sudo apt update

3. Install Chromium package:

Finally, install the Chromium browser package in .deb format via command:

sudo apt install chromium-browser

Keep an eye on terminal output, it should start downloading the package from the PPA. If not, press Ctrl+C on keyboard to stop it.

Once installed, search for and open the browser from ‘Activities‘ overview screen. And, check its version in about page.

Remove Chromium:

To remove the web browser, simply open terminal via Ctrl+Alt+T shorcut key and run command:

sudo apt remove --autoremove chromium-browser

And remove the PPA, use command:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:savoury1/chromium

For the FFmpeg PPA, it’s recommended to purge it which also downgrade all installed packages:

sudo apt install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:savoury1/ffmpeg4

Without downgrading the packages, you may instead remove the PPA using the previous command.

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Strawberry – A Fork of Clementine Music Player & Organizer

Last updated: June 21, 2020

Strawberry is an open-source fork of Clementine music player aimed at music collectors and audiophiles.

Strawberry is written in C++ with Qt 5 toolkit. The development started in 2018 while Clementine was not in active development (now development of Clementine revives).

Strawberry music player and organizer features:

  • Play and organize music
  • Supports WAV, FLAC, WavPack, DSF, DSDIFF, Ogg Vorbis, Speex, MPC, TrueAudio, AIFF, MP4, MP3, ASF and Monkey’s Audio.
  • Audio CD playback
  • Native desktop notifications
  • Playlists in multiple formats
  • Advanced audio output and device configuration for bit-perfect playback on Linux
  • Edit tags on music files
  • Fetch tags from MusicBrainz
  • Album cover art from Last.fm, Musicbrainz, Discogs and Deezer
  • Song lyrics from AudD
  • Support for multiple backends
  • Audio analyzer
  • Audio equalizer
  • Transfer music to iPod, iPhone, MTP or mass-storage USB player
  • Scrobbler with support for Last.fm, Libre.fm and ListenBrainz
  • Subsonic streaming support

How to Install Strawberry in Ubuntu 18.04, 20.04:

The software offers Snap package (runs in sandbox) which can be installed simply from Ubuntu Software.

Also the official Strawberry PPA maintains the latest .deb packages for Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 19.10, Ubuntu 20.04, Linux Mint 19.x, and their derivatives.

1.) Open terminal either by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard or by searching for ‘terminal’ from ‘Show Applications’ menu. When it opens, run command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:jonaski/strawberry

Type user password (no asterisk feedback) when it asks for sudo prompts and hit Enter to continue.

2.) After adding the PPA, run commands to refresh package cache and install the music player:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install strawberry

Uninstall Strawberry:

To remove the PPA repository, either go to Software & Updates -> Other Software:

or run command in terminal:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:jonaski/strawberry

To remove the music player and music collection organizer:

sudo apt remove --autoremove strawberry
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How to Install FreeFileSync (14.2 Updated) in Ubuntu 24.04 & 22.04

Last updated: February 20, 2025

This simple tutorial shows how to install (and uninstall) FreeFileSync, open-source file synchronization software, and create application shortcut in Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 22.04,  and Ubuntu 24.04 LTS.

FreeFileSync is a free and open-source software to create and manage backup copies of all your important files. Instead of copying every file every time, it determines the differences between a source and a target folder and transfers only the minimum amount of data needed.

How to Install FreeFileSync in Ubuntu:

1.) The software now provides an official .run installer, available to download at its website:

Download FreeFileSync

Scroll down a little and select download the Linux package.

2.) Extract the source tarball in file manager, then you can navigate to the extracted folder and click Run the installer to get start installing FreeFileSync.

3.) The installer starts a terminal window. And, you have to answer ‘y’ to access license terms. Or, press ‘s’ to show details then ‘y’ to accept, or ‘n’ to refuse.

4.) The installer by default to install the software for system wide into /opt/ directory. Meaning, all users in this Ubuntu system can run it.
For choice, you can type 1 to switch to current user only. If you want, also type 2 to change installation directory, and type 3 to choose whether to add the app icon to the desktop.

When done selecting installation type, directory, and whether to create desktop shortcuts, hit Enter to start the process. If everything goes well, it will show you something as the screenshot below, indicates that all done.

5.) Enable desktop icons.
The desktop icons by default are not usable due to permission issue. Just right click on them one by one and select “Allow Launching” will make them work.

Or, simply delete the desktop icons (move to trash) since you can launch FreeFileSync from start menu or Gnome overview (depends on your desktop environment).

How to Uninstall FreeFileSync:

The installation folder contains a uninstall script to remove FreeFileSync from your system.

Press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard to open terminal, then run either command below to uninstall:

  • If installed for current user only, then run command: 
    $HOME/FreeFileSync/uninstall.sh
  • For all users (if installed system wide), use command: 
    /opt/FreeFileSync/uninstall.sh

If you selected non-default installation directory, then replace $HOME/FreeFileSync or /opt/FreeFileSync in the command above according where you installed the software.

In case you forgot where it was installed, use either command below to tell:

cat /usr/share/applications/FreeFileSync.desktop |grep Exec
cat $HOME/.local/share/applications/FreeFileSync.desktop |grep Exec
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How to Install FFmpeg 4.3 in via PPA Ubuntu 18.04, 16.04

Last updated: June 19, 2020

FFmpeg 4.3 was released a few days ago as the new major release. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 16.04, and Linux Mint 18.x, 19.x.

What’s new in FFmpeg 4.3:

  • Intel QSV-accelerated MJPEG decoding
  • Intel QSV-accelerated VP9 decoding
  • Support for TrueHD in mp4
  • Support AMD AMF encoder on Linux (via Vulkan)
  • Vulkan support.
  • AV1 encoding support via rav1e, an AV1 Annex B demuxer.
  • ZeroMQ support
  • VDPAU VP9 decode
  • And much more other features, see Changelog file in Github.

How to Install FFmpeg 4.3 via PPA:

The unofficial PPA has built the packages, so far only support for Ubuntu 18.04 and Ubuntu 16.04.

1.) Open terminal either by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard, or by searching for ‘terminal’ from your system application menu. When it opens, run command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:jonathonf/ffmpeg-4

Type user password (no asterisk feedback) and hit Enter to continue.

2.) Then refresh system package cache and install FFmpeg 4.3 via commands:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install ffmpeg

Once installed, check version via ffmpeg -v command:

Uninstall:

To remove the PPA repository as well as downgrade FFmpeg to the stock version, run command:

sudo apt install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:jonathonf/ffmpeg-4
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Arduino IDE 1.8.13 Released, How to Install in Ubuntu 20.04

Last updated: June 18, 2020

Arduino IDE 1.8.13 was released a day ago. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 19.10, Ubuntu 18.04.

Arduino 1.8.13 release highlights:

  • Fixed crash on MacOSX >=10.15 with multiple monitor setups.
  • The boards listed in the “Tools” menu are now grouped by platform.
  • Fixed save of proxy username/password settings in “manual proxy” section.
  • Allow baudrate/config change when the Serial Monitor/Plotter is disabled
  • Improve network board detection.
  • Any many other changes, see release note.

How to Install Arduino 1.8.13 in Ubuntu:

You can install either the snap package from Ubuntu Software or flatpak package from flathub repository.

1.) For the official Linux package, go to the link below:

Scroll download and click download “Linux 64-bits” (or 32-bits if you’re sill running 32 bit system) package.

2.) Open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run command to extract Arduino to /opt for global use:

cd ~/Downloads && sudo tar -Jxvf arduino-*.tar.xz -C /opt/

Type user password (no visual feedback) for sudo prompts when it asks and hit Enter.

3.) Run the installer.sh script to create app launcher:

sudo /opt/arduino-*/install.sh

Finally open the IDE from ‘Show Applications’ menu and enjoy!

Uninstall Arduino:

To uninstall the application shortcut, simply run command:

sudo /opt/arduino-*/uninstall.sh

And also remove the software directory via command:

sudo rm -r /opt/arduino-*
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How to Improve Battery Life in Ubuntu 20.04 LTS

Last updated: June 16, 2020

Want to get better battery life for your Ubuntu laptop? Besides struggling with various settings or config files, try the power management tool TLP and Slimbook Battery.

TLP is a feature-rich command line utility for Linux, saving laptop battery power without the need to delve deeper into technical details.

TLP’s default settings are already optimized for battery life and implement Powertop’s recommendations out of the box. So you may just install and forget it.

1.) How to Install TLP in Ubuntu 20.04:

Simply open terminal either from application menu or by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard. When terminal opens, run command:

sudo apt install tlp

Once installed, you’re done as it runs silently in background with a default configuration already optimized for battery life.

To fulfil your specific requirements, you can install the GTK user interface TLPUI via this PPA.

2.) Install Slimbook Battery:

Slimbook Battery is a graphical tool based on TLP, it offers an indicator menu that includes Energy Saving, Balanced, and Maximum Performance modes.

Advanced mode provides options to change CPU limit, graphics saving, screen brightess, disable animation, bluetooth, auto-suspend USB ports, etc.

To install Slimbook Battery from its official PPA, run following commands in terminal one by one in terminal:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:slimbook/slimbook

sudo apt update

sudo apt install slimbookbattery

Once installed, launch it from ‘Show Applications’ menu and enjoy!

(Optional) To remove Slimbook Battery as well as its PPA, run following commands one by one:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:slimbook/slimbook

sudo apt remove --autoremove slimbookbattery
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How to Install Gnome Software as Ubuntu Software in Ubuntu 20.04

Last updated: June 12, 2020

Ubuntu Software in Ubuntu 20.04 LTS now is really Snap Store. For those who want to revert back the previous Gnome Software, this simply tutorial may help.

1.) Gnome Software is available in the universe repositories. You can install it easily by running command in terminal (press Ctrl+Alt+T to open terminal):

Once installed, you can launch Gnome Software, which is marked as ‘Software’, from ‘Show Applications’ menu.

2.) To make Gnome Software into Ubuntu Software.

Snap Store itself is a Snap application, you can remove it by running command in terminal:

snap remove snap-store

Run command to edit the .desktop file of Gnome Software:

sudo -H gedit /usr/share/applications/org.gnome.Software.desktop

When file opens, do:

  • Change value of Name to Ubuntu Software.
  • Change the value of Icon to ubuntusoftware (no space between the 2 words)

Save the file and Ubuntu Software is now Gnome Software.

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How to Install Flatpak Apps in Software Center in Ubuntu 20.04

Last updated: June 12, 2020

This simple tutorial shows Ubuntu beginners how to enable searching and installing Flatpak applications from Software Center in Ubuntu 20.04.

Snap, Flatpak, and Appimage make more and more applications install or run easily in Ubuntu and other Linux Desktops. While Appimage is non-install package and Snap has been made into Ubuntu Software out-of-the-box, this quick tip shows how to make Flatpak packages available to search and install in Software.

1.) First open terminal by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard. When terminal opens, run command to install flatpak plugin:

sudo apt install gnome-software-plugin-flatpak

Type user password (no asterisk feedback) for sudo prompts and hit Enter.

2.) Add the main flathub repository by running command:

flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

3.) Finally restart your computer. In Ubuntu 18.04 and Ubuntu 19.10, you should be available to search for and install applications in Flatpak format.

For Ubuntu 20.04, since Ubuntu Software has switched from Gnome Software to Snap Store, you have to launch Gnome Software rather than Ubuntu Software to install applications.

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How to Install Shotwell 0.30.10 in Ubuntu 20.04

Last updated: June 12, 2020

While the default Shotwell photo organizer is old in Ubuntu 20.04, here’s how to install the latest stable 0.30.10 via PPA repository.

Changes from the pre-installed Shotwell 0.30.8 to Shotwell 0.30.10 include:

  • Modify web publishing authentication to comply with Google’s requirements
  • Fix YouTube OAuth scope
  • New and updated translations.

For those who want to upgrade to the latest stable Shotwell 0.30.10, the unofficial PPA has made the package for Ubuntu 20.04 LTS.

1.) Open terminal either by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard, or by searching for ‘terminal’ from ‘Show Applications’ menu. When terminal opens, run command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:sicklylife/shotwell

Type user password (no asterisk feedback) for sudo prompts and hit Enter to continue.

2.) Then either upgrade Shotwell via Software Updater (Update Manager).

Or run command to install the new photo organizer package:

sudo apt install shotwell

(Optional) For any issue, you can purge the PPA to revert back the stock Shotwell 0.30.8 by running command:

sudo apt install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:sicklylife/shotwell
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