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Shutter 0.94 Released! How to Install it in Ubuntu 16.04

Last updated: September 11, 2018

shutter screenshot

Shutter, a feature-rich screenshot tool, got a new release recently after 2 years and 9 months since the last.

Shutter 0.94 is a bug-fix release with following fixes:

  • A crash issue when launching a second instance of Shutter
  • Shutter screenshots uploaded to Dropbox expires
  • Imgur uploaded links dialog shows links in random order on every upload
  • “Send by email” (ctrl+shft+E) error.
  • Insecure use of system() allows arbitrary code execution via “Show in Folder”
  • ‘Window’ does not show non-latin characters
  • imgur upload plugin no longer works due to now unsupported API 1 and 2
  • Linux software store metadata

shutter 0.94

How to install Shutter 0.94 in Ubuntu 16.04, 17.04:

Shutter has an official PPA repository, but it does not update the new 0.94 packages at the moment of writing, though it has been released for more than 2 weeks.

For Ubuntu 16.04 and Ubuntu 17.04, you can upgrade to Shutter 0.94 via following steps using the unofficial PPA:

1. Open terminal via Ctrl+Alt+T or from app launcher. When it opens, run commands to add PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/shutter

Input your password (no visual feedback while typing) when it prompts and hit Enter.

2. Then upgrade the screenshot tool via Software Updater:

or simply run commands to check updates and install shutter:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install shutter

For those who don’t want to add PPA, grab the .deb package directly from HERE.

How to Remove:

To downgrade Shutter to previous 0.93.1, purge the PPA repository via command:

sudo apt-get install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/apps

To just remove the unofficial PPA and keep Shutter 0.94, launch “Software & Updates” utility and navigate to Other Software tab.

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Install Bookworm Ebook Reader via PPA in Ubuntu 16.04, 17.04

Last updated: September 2, 2017

Bookworm is a simple eBook reader with a modern user interface. It’s so far supports EPUB, PDF, MOBI, CBR, and CBZ file formats.

Bookworm ebook reader so far features:

  • Toggle between a grid view and a list view for the library.
  • An info button provides “Contents”, “Bookmarks”, and “Search Results” in three tabs.
  • Dark theme, cache support.
  • Keyboard shortcuts to navigate pages, change font size, enter/exist full screen.
  • And see its web page for more.

How to Install Bookworm in Ubuntu:

The ebook reader has an official PPA repository for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 17.04, and derivatives.

1. Open terminal via Ctrl+Alt+T or by searching it from app launcher. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:bookworm-team/bookworm

Input your password (no visual feedback while typing) when it prompts and hit Enter.

2. (For ubuntu 16.04 only) While Bookworm was originally designed for Elementary OS. Ubuntu 16.04 needs following PPA to install the libgranite3 library:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:elementary-os/stable

3. Finally check updates and install Bookworm as well as all its dependencies via commands:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install bookworm

4. And remove the dependency PPA after all:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:elementary-os/stable

Uninstall:

To remove Bookworm ebook reader, run command:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove bookworm

And remove the PPA via “Software & Updates” utility, under Other Software tab.

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Ubuntu 17.10 Beta 1 Released for Opt-in Flavors

Last updated: September 1, 2017

Ubuntu 17.10

The first Beta of Ubuntu 17.10 Artful Aardvark was announced last night. The beta features images for Kubuntu, Lubuntu, Ubuntu Budgie, Ubuntu Kylin, Ubuntu MATE, Ubuntu Studio and Xubuntu.

It was announced in the Ubuntu-release mailing list:

“The first beta of the Artful Aardvark (to become 17.10) has now been released!

This milestone features images for Kubuntu, Lubuntu, Ubuntu Budgie, Ubuntu Kylin, Ubuntu MATE, Ubuntu Studio and Xubuntu.

Pre-releases of the Artful Aardvark are *not* encouraged for anyone needing a stable system or anyone who is not comfortable running into occasional, even frequent breakage. They are, however, recommended for Ubuntu flavor developers and those who want to help in testing, reporting, and fixing bugs as we work towards getting this release ready.

…“

Ubuntu 17.10 Beta 1 features:

  • Plasma desktop 5.10.5 in Kubuntu 17.10.
  • Change from ifupdown to netplan for networking in Lubuntu 17.10 Beta1
  • Budgie Desktop 10.4, replace GNOME Photos with gThumb, Nautilus 3.24 support etc. in Ubuntu Budgie
  • Ubuntu MATE 17.10: Different panel layouts to mimic Unity 7, macOS, Windows interface.
  • Ubuntu MATE 17.10: Complete Super key support, improvements to Global Menu, Heads-Up Display, and more.

Download Ubuntu 17.10:

LUbuntu 17.10: cdimage.ubuntu.com/lubuntu/releases/artful/

KUbuntu 17.10: cdimage.ubuntu.com/kubuntu/releases/artful/

Ubuntu Kylin 17.10: cdimage.ubuntu.com/ubuntukylin/releases/artful/

Ubuntu Budgie 17.10: cdimage.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-budgie/releases/artful/

Ubuntu MATE 17.10: cdimage.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-mate/releases/artful/

XUbuntu 17.10: cdimage.ubuntu.com/xubuntu/releases/artful/

UbuntuStudio 17.10: cdimage.ubuntu.com/ubuntustudio/releases/artful/

According to the release schedule, there will be a final beta on September 28th, Final Freeze (Release candidate) on October 12th, and Ubuntu 17.10 will be finally released on October 19th.

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How to Install New Skype Preview via Its Repository in Ubuntu

Last updated: August 31, 2017

Skype for Linux

Microsoft announced the next generation of Skype in preview for Linux a day ago.

The new Skype Preview, version 8.5, is released to unstable channel in official Skype repositories. It will receive regular updates and eventually becomes the new Skype.

The new Linux client is going to get the same features as the Windows and Mac versions for the first time, so that is the reason for changing the client version number.

Starting today, the next generation of Skype is available in preview on Linux shortly after it was introduced for Windows and Mac. It’s not yet complete and we need your feedback. We’re committed to providing a Skype experience you love, enhancing the way you talk, text, and experience the world—all from the comfort of your desktop.

Skype Preview delivers most of the great features of our next generation mobile experience but is specifically designed with desktop in mind, to take full advantage of the larger screen. Skype Preview puts chat front and center—making this the most expressive Skype ever. You can also do more together in group calls, with real-time screen and photo sharing.

Skype preview

The official download link for Skype Preview is available at:

Download Skype Preview (.deb)

For those who want to keep updating the new Skype in preview, add the unstable repository via following steps:

1. Open terminal via Ctrl+Alt+T, and run command to make sure ‘apt-transport-https’ is installed:

dpkg -s apt-transport-https > /dev/null || bash -c "sudo apt-get update; sudo apt-get install apt-transport-https -y"

Type in your password (no visual feedback while typing) when it prompts and hit Enter.

2. Grab and install the repository keyring via command:

curl https://repo.skype.com/data/SKYPE-GPG-KEY | sudo apt-key add -

3. Add Skype apt repository to your system via command:

echo "deb [arch=amd64] https://repo.skype.com/deb unstable main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/skype-unstable.list

Finally upgrade Skype via “Software Updater” utility, or run commands to check updates and install the client:

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install skypeforlinux

Uninstall:

To uninstall skype preview, simply run command in terminal:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove skypeforlinux

And remove the Skype unstable repository using “Software & Updates” utility, under Other Software tab.

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IntelliJ IDEA 2017.2.3 Available for Download [Ubuntu PPA]

Last updated: August 30, 2017

JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA 2017.2.3 was release one day ago with some new features, usability improvements, and numerous bug-fixes.

According to the release note, IntelliJ IDEA 2017.2.3 fixed bugs and improved usability to SQL database, docker, UML, CSS modules, JavaScript, and more.

IntelliJ IDEA 2017.2 splash

Download / Install IntelliJ IDEA 2017.2.3:

The official source tarballs (non-install) are available for download at the link below:

IntelliJ IDEA for Linux

Just extract and run executable file to launch the IDE.

An unofficial PPA is also available which contains an install script that automatically:

  • downloads the official source tarball via wget.
  • extracts to /opt/ for global use.
  • installs icon and application shortcut for Ubuntu integration.

1. To add the PPA, open terminal via Ctrl+Alt+T and run command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/apps

Input your password (no visual feedback while typing) when it prompts and hit Enter.

2. Then check updates and install the script:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install intellij-idea-community

For the ultimate edition, use intellij-idea-ultimate in the last command.

For those who don’t want to add PPA, grab the .deb package directly from PPA packages page.

Uninstall:

To uninstall IntelliJ IDEA installed via the script in PPA, run command:

sudo apt-get remove intellij-idea-community intellij-idea-ultimate

And remove the PPA via “Software & Updates” utility, under Other Software tab.

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How to Install Budgie Desktop 10.4 in Ubuntu 16.04, 17.04

Last updated: August 29, 2017

Budgie Desktop 10.4 for Ubuntu and Debian users was released earlier today. It has been made into main repositories of Ubuntu 17.10. And here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 17.04 via PPA.

Budgie 10.4 is considered a major release on our 10.x series, with significant improvements to applets, panels, and personalization of Budgie. This release also introduces polish to Alt+Tab, animations, and Budgie Menu!

Budgie 10.4 features:

  • maximize and unmaximize animations for applications.
  • Alt+Tab switcher now prefer the theme icon instead of the X11 icon
  • New ‘Night Light’ applet which can help reduce eye strain
  • Places indicator, workspace applet, and other applet improvements.
  • Searching in App Launcher has been completely overhauled.
  • vertical panels can be set on the left or right.
  • Budgie panel now has dock mode.
  • Budgie Settings now is a dedicated application
  • See other more changes in the release note.

How to Install Budgie 10.4 in Ubuntu via PPA:

1. Open terminal via Ctrl+Alt+T or by searching for “Terminal” from app launcher. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

  • For Ubuntu 16.04, run command: 
    sudo add-apt-repository ppa:budgie-remix/ppa
  • For Ubuntu 17.04, use another PPA: 
    sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntubudgie/backports

Input your password (no visual feedback while typing) when it prompts and hit Enter.

2. Then check updates and install budgie desktop 10.4 via commands:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install budgie-desktop

Once installed, log out and select login with Budgie Desktop session:

Uninstall:

To remove Budgie desktop, run command:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove budgie-desktop budgie-indicator-applet

The PPA can be removed via “Software & Update” utility under Other Software tab.

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GIMP 2.9.6 Release, How to Install it in Ubuntu 16.04

Last updated: August 25, 2017

GIMP extra color palettes

The development version of GIMP image editor reached the 2.9.6 release a day ago.

As pre-release for the next major GIMP 2.10, here’s how you can install and test the 2.9.x series in Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 17.04, Ubuntu 17.10, and their derivatives.

GIMP 2.9.6 release highlights:

  • It’s now multi-threaded for modern processors
  • Better Hi-DPI support
  • Better Adobe PSD file support
  • Metadata Viewing and Editing
  • Several new filters
  • Crop presets (2×3, 3×4, 16:10, 16:9, square)
  • And see the release note for more.

How to Install GIMP 2.9.x in Ubuntu:

There’s a PPA repository contains the latest development GIMP packages for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 17.04, and Ubuntu 17.10.

1. Note that GIMP 2.9.x is unstable! It should not be used in production!

2. The PPA grab the source from GIMP git repository, and it’s just bumped to 2.9.7. So following steps installs ‘GIMP 2.9.7’

1. Open terminal via Ctrl+Alt+T or by searching for it from app launcher. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:otto-kesselgulasch/gimp-edge

Input your password (no visual feedback while typing) when it asks and hit Enter.

2. Then upgrade GIMP from an existing release via Software Updater utility:

or simply run commands to check updates and install GIMP:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install gimp

How to Restore:

You can easily restore GIMP image editor to the stock version (distribution build) in your Ubuntu by purging the PPA via command:

sudo apt install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:otto-kesselgulasch/gimp-edge

And if you want to re-install the latest stable GIMP (2.8.22 so far), see this tutorial after purging the previous PPA.

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Kodi 17.4 Released! How to Install it in Ubuntu

Last updated: August 24, 2017

Kodi media center, formerly known as XBMC, reached the 17.4 release a few days ago with a bunch of bug-fixes. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 14.04, Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 17.04, and their derivatives.

Changes in Kodi 17.4 include:

  • Potentially fix crashing on Windows due to an issue in Python
  • Potentially fix crashing on Windows when enabling zeroconf
  • Fix sporadic crash on Windows when installing or updating add-ons
  • Fix issue for users with reverse proxies attempting to forward websockets.
  • Fix possible issue if Linux distro uses system ffmpeg and cause black screen with 10-bit H.265
  • Properly throttle scraping music information online to prevent overloading the provider
  • Fix native keyboard on iOS 11
  • Fix potential crash on Android O loading App icons
  • Fix non showing Kodi banner on Android O
  • Fix potential crash on Android with certain keymaps
  • Fix wrong detection of VP6 and VP8 videocodec on Android
  • Update FFmpeg to 3.1.9
  • Set hard requirement to use FFmpeg 3.1.x only
  • Fix for Hangup when viewing recording and pressing next/previous
  • Fix merged scraped album type and label correctly with that derived from tags from music files
  • Fix possible crash on Linux when using ALSA
  • Save skin settings immediatly after they have changed instead of only on shutdown

How to Install Kodi 17.4 in Ubuntu:

Kodi has an official PPA that contains the latest packages for Ubuntu 14.04, Ubuntu 16.04, and Ubuntu 17.04.

1. Open terminal via Ctrl+Alt+T or by searching it from app launcher. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:team-xbmc/ppa

Input your password (no visual feedback while typing) when it asks and hit Enter.

kodi ppa

2. For those who have previous release installed, upgrade the media center via Software Updater:

upgrade Kodi

or run commands to check updates and install kodi:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install kodi

Once installed, log out and log in back with Kodi session, or launch Kodi from Unity Dash, Gnome app launcher, or other app launcher.

Uninstall:

Run command to purge the PPA which also downgrade Kodi to its stock version in your Ubuntu:

sudo apt-get install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:team-xbmc/ppa

To remove kodi, either use your system package manager or run command:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove kodi
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Audacious 3.9 Released! How to Install it in Ubuntu

Last updated: August 22, 2017

Audacious music player

Audacious audio player reached 3.9 release a few days ago with many new features, Qt UI enhancements, usability improvements, and various bug-fixes.

Audacious 3.9 release highlights:

  • New ‘View’ menu and additional options in Settings.
  • Full drag-and-drop capability for playlist entries
  • Configurable playlist columns (add, remove, resize, and rearrange)
  • New controls for stream recording
  • Improved playlist search bar, which hides until Control+F is pressed.
  • Integrated menu items and keyboard shortcuts for the Playlist Manager and Search Tool
  • Better high-DPI support and many other cosmetic fixes
  • audtool gains better support for multiple playlists with the --select-displayed and --select-playing commands
  • Recursive adding of folders specified in M3U playlists
  • See the release note for details.
Audacious GTK and Winamp like interface

Audacious GTK and Winamp like interface

How to Install Audacious 3.9 in Ubuntu:

The Webupd8Team PPA has made the packages for Ubuntu 14.04, Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 17.04, Ubuntu 17.10, Linux Mint 18.x, and derivatives.

1. Open terminal via Ctrl+Alt+T or by searching it from app launcher. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:nilarimogard/webupd8

Type in your password (no visual feedback while typing due to security reason) when it asks and hit Enter.

2. Upgrade Audacious via Software Updater (Update Manager) if you have a previous release installed:

Or run following commands one by one to check updates and install the audio player:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install audacious audacious-plugins

Uninstall:

You can restore the Audacious music player to its stock version in your Ubuntu by puring the PPA via command:

sudo apt-get install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:nilarimogard/webupd8

You can then remove the audio player as you want via Ubuntu Software utility.

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MKVToolNix Reached 15.0.0 Release, How to Install it in Ubuntu

Last updated: June 17, 2018

MKVToolNix, a set of Matroska tools for Windows and Linux, has now reached the 15.0.0 release with improved support for new track header elements and a couple of bug-fixes.

MKVToolNix 15.0.0 release highlights:

  • Add “Set destination file name from selected file’s name” option to the “source files” context menu for multiplex tool.
  • Add “Only use the first source file that contains a video track” option in the preferences on “Multiplexer” → “Output”.
  • Ctrl+Up/Down keys to move up/down selected jobs
  • Add support for the “video projection” track header attributes for the GUI, mkvmerge, mkvinfo, and mkvpropedit.
  • Add support for editing the video colour attributes for the GUI and mkvpropedit.
  • Remove the keyboard shortcuts for switching between the different tools in GUI

How to Install MKVToolNix 15.0.0 in Ubuntu:

The tool has an official Linux repository offers the latest packages for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 17.04 so far.

Open terminal via Ctrl+Alt+T or by searching it from app launcher. When it opens, do following steps:

1. Run command to add the repository:

sudo sh -c 'echo "deb http://mkvtoolnix.download/ubuntu/ $(lsb_release -sc) main" >> /etc/apt/sources.list.d/bunkus.org.list'

Replace $(lsb_release -sc) with xenial for Linux Mint 18.x. And input your password (no visual feedback while typing) when it prompts and hit Enter.

2. Then install the key:

wget -q -O - https://mkvtoolnix.download/gpg-pub-moritzbunkus.txt | sudo apt-key add -

3. Finally either upgrade the software via Software Updater (Update Manager):

or run command to install the software packages:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install mkvtoolnix mkvtoolnix-gui

Uninstall:

To remove the repository, launch Software & Updates utility and navigate to Other Software tab.

To remove MKVToolNix, use Synaptic Package Manager or run following command:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove mkvtoolnix mkvtoolnix-gui
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