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Ubuntu 16.04 LTS: Default Desktop Wallpaper Unveiled

Last updated: February 29, 2016

Ubuntu 16.04 Xenial Xerus

The default desktop wallpaper for Ubuntu 16.04 Xenial Xerus, the next LTS release, has been unveiled. Grayscale versions are in progress.

The new default wallpapers from Grazina in the design team looks not all that different from the previous 15.10 and 15.04’s wallpapers.

Ubuntu 16.04 default wallpaper

Ubuntu 16.04 default wallpaper

Here are the default wallpapers for Ubuntu 15.10 and Ubuntu 15.04:

Ubuntu 15.10 default wallpaper

Ubuntu 15.10 default wallpaper

Ubuntu 15.04 default wallpaper

Ubuntu 15.04 default wallpaper

Download the wallpapers from link below:

Ubuntu 16.04 Default Wallpaper

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Ubuntu 16.04 Beta 1 Download Available for Opt-in Flavors

Last updated: February 26, 2016

Ubuntu 16.04

Ubuntu 16.04 Xenial Xerus, the next LTS (Long-Term Support) release, has reached the first Beta release. Features image for opt-in flavors: Lubuntu, Ubuntu Cloud, Ubuntu GNOME, Ubuntu MATE, UbuntuKylin, Ubuntu Studio and Xubuntu.

Beta 1 includes the Linux Kernel 4.4 (final release will ship with this kernel) and a number of software updates. As an Beta pre-release, it is only recommended for developers and those who want to test by finding, reporting, and/or fixing bugs.

Ubuntu 16.04 LTS

Release Highlights:

Ubuntu Gnome:

  • GNOME Shell 3.18
  • GNOME Software has replaced Ubuntu Software Center
  • Experimental wayland session available

Xubuntu 16.04:

  • won’t have a default media manager installed

Ubuntu Kylin:

  • Kylin style lightdm greeter based on unity-greeter

Download Ubuntu 16.04 Beta 1:

For a reminder of upcoming Ubuntu 16.04 release dates see the table:

March 24th Final Beta
April 14th FinalFreeze, ReleaseCandidate
April 21st Final release of Ubuntu 16.04

via: fridge.ubuntu.com

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Opera 35 Released! Features Tab Muting, 32bit Linux Build

Last updated: February 3, 2016

Opera web browser

Opera web browser for computers has reached version 35, the first stable release for 2016, which features mute tabs, refreshed downloads page, new basic section in setting page, and 32-bit DEB/RPM for Linux users.

Opera 35 lets you mute the sound from a website easily via an option from the tab’s context menu. There’s also an option to mute all other tabs.

mute tab option

The download page has been redesigned. There are quick links in left pane for most used file formats: documents, PDFs, images, music, videos, archives and others.

refreshed downloads

The settings page brings a new basic section with simple settings for start-up behavior, downloads, bookmarks bar, themes, and cookies.

basic settings

And finally Opera Team made 32-bit DEB and RPM binaries for Linux users, available for download at the link below:

Download Opera for Linux

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Free Video Editor and VJ Tool LiVES 2.6.0 Released

Last updated: February 2, 2016

lives-video-editor-icon

LiVES, free and open-source video editing system and VJ tool, has reached the 2.6.0 release. It features h264/aac, wmv2, ffv1 and mjpeg encodings support to ffmpeg_encoder and a few important fixes.

LiVES is upgrading continually in recent months. The first release in 2.6 series was released yesterday, one week after the 2.4.8 release. And here’s the changelog:

  • Fix crash when applying rendered effects to virtual clips.
  • Add h264/aac, wmv2, ffv1 and mjpeg encodings to ffmpeg_encoder.
  • Fix memory leak in new style gdkpixbuf converter.
  • Fix frame seek bug in avformat decoder with non-zero start time.
  • Autoscroll “Show details” when encoding.
  • Work around a gtk+ crash bug in GtkTextView with lots of text.
  • Show missing libraries in ffmpeg_encoder.
  • Show time remaining estimate for encoding for most encoder formats.
  • OK / Cancel in the file chooser should immediately cancel any preview (regression).
  • Add “Use current clip values” button when entering multitrack.
  • Fix memory leak in pulseaudio input analysis.
  • Minor GUI improvements.

lives 2.6.0

How to Install LiVES 2.6.0 in Ubuntu:

Besides building from the source code, here’s a unofficial PPA available for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 15.10, Ubuntu 14.04 and their derivatives.

Follow below steps to add PPA and install the video editor:

1. Launch terminal from Unity Dash, App Launcher, or via Ctrl+Alt+T key. When it opens, paste below command and run to add PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/lives

Type in your password (no visual feedback just type in mind) when it asks and hit Enter to continue.

lives-ppa

2. Have a previous installed? Launch Software Updater and upgrade LiVES after checking for updates.

Or, run below commands one by one in terminal to check updates and install the new release:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install lives

3. (Optional) You may disable/remove PPAs after installation by launching Software & Updates and going to Other Software tab.

third-party-ppas

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Ubuntu 16.04 Flavors: Aplha 2 Available for Download

Last updated: January 30, 2016

Ubuntu 16.04 Xenial

The second alpha of Ubuntu 16.04 Xenial Xerus LTS has been announced one day after its scheduled release date. This release features images for Lubuntu, Ubuntu MATE, Ubuntu Kylin and the Ubuntu Cloud images.

This Xenial Xerus snapshot includes the v4.3 kernel. 16.04 will ship with the 4.4 kernel which is available for testing. As an alpha pre-release, it is only recommended for developers and those who want to test by finding, reporting, and/or fixing bugs.

xerus

Download links:

For a reminder of upcoming Ubuntu release dates see the table:

February 25th Beta 1 (for opt-in flavors)
March 24th Final Beta
April 14th FinalFreeze, ReleaseCandidate
April 21st Final release of Ubuntu 16.04

via: fridge.ubuntu.com

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Mozilla Firefox 44.0 Released

Last updated: January 27, 2016

Mozilla Firefox

Mozilla announced the release of Firefox 44.0 yesterday on January 26, which will be soon available for upgrade in Ubuntu 15.10, Ubuntu 14.04, Ubuntu 12.04 and their derivatives.

Firefix 44 brings several security improvements, bug fixes, and new features include:

  • Redesigned warning pages for certificate errors and untrusted connections
  • Enable H.264 if system decoder is available
  • Enable WebM/VP9 video support on systems that don’t support MP4/H.264
  • Support the brotli compression format via HTTPS content-encoding
  • Screenshot commands allow user choice of pixel ratio in Developer Tools
  • In the animation-inspector timeline, lightning bolt icon next to animations running on the compositor thread

In addition, starting with version 44, Firefox lets you choose to receive push notifications from websites even when they aren’t loaded. This is super useful for websites like email, weather, social networks and shopping, which you might check frequently for updates.

Firefox push notification

Install Firefox 44 for Ubuntu:

Ubuntu Mozilla Team will made the new release into security & updates repository for Ubuntu 15.10, Ubuntu 14.04, and Ubuntu 12.04. Once available, launch Software Updater and install/upgrade to Firefox 44 after checking for updates.

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Birdie 2.0 To Be A Twitter App Only for Elementary OS

Last updated: January 26, 2016

birdie twitter client

The development of Birdie 2.0, an open source desktop Twitter client, drops other Linux support and now is focusing on Elementary OS.

“Birdie is no longer a Twitter app for GNU/Linux, instead, it will be the best Twitter app for elementary OS.”

The Birdie Team has recently announced that the development of Birdie 2.0 is now focusing on Elementary OS and advised all other Linux users to try Corebird.

birdie twitter client

Nathan Dyer, explained why Birdie 2.0 switches to Elementary OS in the announcement:

  • Birdie 2.0 is built on APIs that are exclusive to elementary OS
  • It will integrate with Pantheon Online Accounts for system-wide login
  • data can be shared between all your favorite services and apps with advantage of both Contractor and Pantheon Online Accounts.
  • no way to be the best Twitter app on any platform

Read more at the official announcement

Download Birdie for Elementary OS:

The website provides the 1.1 release for download at the moment, available for Elementary OS Freya:

Download Birdie

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MyPaint 1.2.0 Released, How to Install it in Ubuntu

Last updated: January 16, 2016

mypaint-icon

Open source painting and drawing software, MyPaint, sees a new stable release after a long time of development.

The developer announced the release of MyPaint 1.2.0 yesterday, along with Ubuntu binaries available in PPA for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 15.10, Ubuntu 15.04, Ubuntu 14.04, and their derivatives. MyPaint 1.2.0 features:

  • New intuitive Inking tool for smooth strokes.
  • New Flood Fill tool.
  • Automated backups of your working docs, with recovery on startup.
  • Improved symmetry-setting and frame-setting modes.
  • New workspace UI: two sidebars, with dockable tabbed panels.
  • Smoother scrolling and panning.
  • New brush pack.
  • New brush and color history panel.
  • New layer trimming command in frame options.
  • Added layer groups.
  • New layer modes: several masking modes added.
  • Add display filters: greyscale, simulate dichromacy for trichromats.
  • New color wheel options: Red/Yellow/Blue, Red-Green/Blue-Yellow.
  • Uses dark theme variant by default.
  • Clearer icons, prettier freehand cursors.
  • Device prefs allow glitchy devices to be restricted.
  • Eraser mode no longer changes the size of the brush.
  • New vector layers, editable in an external app (Inkscape recommended).
  • New fallback layer types: non-PNG image, data.
  • More kinds of images now work as backgrounds.
  • Improved Windows support
  • Ported to GTK3.
  • Accelerator map editor has moved to preferences.
  • Many other bugfixes, translations, and code quality improvements.

How to Install MyPaint 1.2.0 in Ubuntu:

1. Open terminal from Unity Dash, App Launcher, or via Ctrl+Alt+T shortcut key. When it opens, paste below command and hit run:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:achadwick/mypaint-testing

It will add the developer’s PPA after you typing password (no visual feedback so just type in mind) when it asks, and hitting Enter to continue.

mypaint-ppa

2. Launch Software Updater if you have a previous release installed. After checking for updates, upgrade MyPaint by installing the available updates.

upgrade-mypaint

Or install the software via either Software Center, or commands below:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install mypaint mypaint-data-extras

3. (Optional), for any reason you want to remove the software, remove PPA by launching Software & Updates and navigate to Other Software tab, and uninstall MyPaint via Software Center.

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How to Install Linux Kernel 4.4 in Ubuntu

Last updated: January 11, 2016

upgrade Linux Kernel

Linus Torvalds finally announced the release of Linux Kernel 4.4 yesterday afternoon. He wrote on LKML:

Nothing untoward happened this week, so Linux-4.4 is out in all the usual places.

The changes since rc8 aren’t big. There’s about one third arch updates, one third drivers, and one third “misc” (mainly some core kernel and networking), But it’s all small. Notable might be unbreaking the x86-32 “sysenter” ABI, when somebody (*cough*android-x86*cough*) misused it by not using the vdso and
instead using the instruction directly.

Full shortlog appended for people who care or are just curious.

And with this, the merge window for 4.5 is obviously open, even if I won’t start actually pulling until tomorrow.

Linux Kernel 4.4 features:

  • initial AMD Stoney APU Support
  • numerous AMD GPU additions for AMD Carrizo, Tonga, or Fiji graphics processor
  • Raspberry Pi KMS driver for kernel mode-setting
  • VirGL VirtIO 3D GPU driver added to Gallium3D
  • many Network, WiFi, and eBPF updates
  • 64-bit ARM updates, nouveau improvements, and much more.

How to Install Kernel 4.4 in Ubuntu:

Ubuntu Kernel Team has made the binaries a few hours ago, available for download at the link below:

Download Linux Kernel 4.4 DEBs

You may first check out your OS type, 32-bit or 64-bit, (also arm, ppc64 packages available) then download and install below packages one by one:

  1. linux-headers-4.4.0-xxx_all.deb
  2. linux-headers-4.4.0-xxx-generic_xxx_i386/amd64.deb
  3. linux-image-4.4.0-xxx-generic_xxx_i386/amd64.deb

If you need a low latency system (e.g. for recording audio) then download & install below packages instead:

  1. linux-headers-4.4.0_xxx_all.deb
  2. linux-headers-4.4.0-xxx-lowlatency_xxx_i386/amd64.deb
  3. linux-image-4.4.0-xxx-lowlatency_xxx_i386/amd64.deb

For Ubuntu Server or those who prefer Linux commands, run below commands one by one to download and install the kernel binaries:

For 64-bit system:

cd /tmp/

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.4-wily/linux-headers-4.4.0-040400_4.4.0-040400.201601101930_all.deb

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.4-wily/linux-headers-4.4.0-040400-generic_4.4.0-040400.201601101930_amd64.deb

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.4-wily/linux-image-4.4.0-040400-generic_4.4.0-040400.201601101930_amd64.deb

sudo dpkg -i *.deb

For 32-bit system:

cd /tmp/

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.4-wily/linux-headers-4.4.0-040400_4.4.0-040400.201601101930_all.deb

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.4-wily/linux-headers-4.4.0-040400-generic_4.4.0-040400.201601101930_i386.deb

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.4-wily/linux-image-4.4.0-040400-generic_4.4.0-040400.201601101930_i386.deb

sudo dpkg -i *.deb

Restart computer after installation.

Uninstall the 4.4 Kernel:

For any reason you want to remove this kernel, restart your computer and select boot with the previous Kernel (under Advanced Options) when you’re at Grub boot menu, after logged in run below command in a terminal:

sudo apt-get remove linux-headers-4.4.0-* linux-image-4.4.0-*; sudo update-grub
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Ubuntu 16.04 Flavors: Alpha 1 Downloads Now Available

Last updated: January 30, 2016

Ubuntu 16.04 Xenial

The first alpha of Ubuntu 16.04 Xenial Xerus LTS has been released. Features images for Lubuntu, Ubuntu MATE, and UbuntuKylin.

Ubuntu 16.04 Alpha 1 comes with Linux Kernel 4.3. As an alpha pre-release, it is only recommended for developers and those who want to test by finding, reporting, and/or fixing bugs.

xerus

Download links:

For a reminder of upcoming Ubuntu release dates see the table:

January 28th Alpha 2 (for opt-in flavors)
February 25th Beta 1 (for opt-in flavors)
March 24th Final Beta
April 14th FinalFreeze, ReleaseCandidate
April 21st Final release of Ubuntu 16.04
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