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Rhythmbox Music Player 3.2 Released [How-to-upgrade]

Last updated: March 29, 2015

The 3.2 release of Rhythmbox, Ubuntu’s default music player, was announced just a few hours ago with some new features, bug fixes and translation updates.

According the the changelog, Rhythmbox 3.2 brings a Soundcloud plugin, support for disc and track total tags, ability to clear, re-fetch and manually set cover art using the song info window.

There are also some bugs has been fixed in the new release:

same songs played after reading a playlist
no easy way to unselect the browse by album,artist,genre option
Unclear string “in” for translation
rhythmbox skips one or two songs after playing certain songs
configure warning: ‘INCLUDES’ is the old name for ‘AM_CPPFLAGS’ (or ‘*_CPPFLAGS’)
Add track count and disc count to the database
data: Add Vorbis aliases as supported mime-types
Failure to build with tdb 1.3
Crash when right clicking the track list in the library
Rhythmbox fails to import MP3 files with ID3 v2.4 tags created by PicardQT
Tracks with no embedded covert art show a random cover art from the music collection
Right click on any file in ‘Tracks list’ clashes the application
Duplicate symbol _rb_metadata_iface_xml
gdkx.h explicitly included; prevents building on Mac
symbolic icon is broken

How to upgrade to Rhythmbox 3.2 in Ubuntu:

The new release is available in fossfreedom’s PPA, available for Ubuntu 14.04, Ubuntu 14.10, Ubuntu 15.04, and Linux Mint 17.

1. First open terminal by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard. When it opens, run below command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:fossfreedom/rhythmbox

2. After adding the PPA, launch Software Updater (or Update Manager) and install available updates for Rhythmbox after checking for updates.

In Howtos, News rhythmbox

Ubuntu 15.04 Final Beta Available for Download

Last updated: September 29, 2017

The beta 2 release of Ubuntu 15.04 Desktop, Server, Cloud, and Core products was announced today, codenamed “Vivid Vervet”.

Ubuntu 15.04 comes with Linux Kernel 3.19. The default desktop Unity 7.3 brings many bug-fixes and locally integrated menus for unfocused windows. This release also ships Compiz Window Manager 0.9.12 with Nvidia fixes, fully MATE desktop support.

Before Ubuntu 15.04 final to be released on April 23, there will be also a RC release on April 16.

Download Ubuntu 15.04:

This beta release includes images from not only the Ubuntu Desktop, Server, Cloud, and Core products, but also the Kubuntu, Lubuntu, Ubuntu GNOME, Ubuntu Kylin, Ubuntu Studio, Xubuntu, and a new official flavor Ubuntu MATE.

Here are the download links for:

Ubuntu Desktop, Server, Cloud, Core: releases.ubuntu.com/vivid/

KUbuntu 15.04: cdimage.ubuntu.com/kubuntu/releases/vivid/

LUbuntu 15.04: cdimage.ubuntu.com/lubuntu/releases/vivid/

Ubuntu Gnome 15.04: cdimage.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-gnome/releases/vivid/

UbuntuKylin 15.04: cdimage.ubuntu.com/ubuntukylin/releases/vivid/

UbuntuStudio 15.04: cdimage.ubuntu.com/ubuntustudio/releases/vivid/

Xubuntu 15.04: cdimage.ubuntu.com/xubuntu/releases/vivid/

Ubuntu MATE 15.04: cdimage.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-mate/releases/vivid/

Ubuntu 15.04 Beta2 official release note is here.

In News ubuntu 15.04

Opera Browser 28 Available for Download / Upgrade

Last updated: March 12, 2015

The latest stable Opera browser for Linux has reached the 28 release. The new release features bookmark synchronization on all devices.

Opera team recently announced the bookmark syncing feature by releasing the Opera Stable 28, which is available on Opera for computers, Opera Mini for iOS and Opera for Android. To use this feature, you need an Opera Account and login from either Setting page or the little figure icon.

In addition, Opera 28 also brings:

a better integration with Mac OS, as “vibrancy” of the address field and improved Mac fullscreen mode have been added
a bundled themes selection has been updated
For more, see the changelog.

Install / Upgrade Opera in Ubuntu:

If you have an previous Opera release installed, the Opera Stable Repository should be added on your system. (Go to Software & Updates -> Other Software tab, and check it out)

Then you can upgrade Opera through Software Updater after checking for updates.

Or you can download Opera browser directly from its Linux download page.

In News Opera

Handbrake Video Transcoder Sees A New Release

Last updated: March 10, 2015

The open source video transcoder Handbrake 0.10.1 was released recently with various fixes. The developers are working on the next major release Handbrake 1.0.

In an attempt to move away from our yearly release cycle, we have decided to start publishing interim fix releases. 0.10.1 marks the first of these releases. It’s focus is to fix some common bugs rather than introduce the new features we are working on in the background for 1.0.

Release highlights in Handbrake 0.10.1:

Various bug fixes for all platforms and the core engine.
Updated x265 to 1.5 which brings numerous bug fixes and some performance improvements.

Install or Upgrade to Handbrake 0.10.1 in Ubuntu:

The developer has made the binaries into PPA, available for Ubuntu 14.04, Ubuntu 14.10, and/or Linux Mint 17/17.1.

To add the PPA, open terminal from the Dash or by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard. When it opens, run:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:stebbins/handbrake-releases

After that, upgrade Handbrake through Software Updater. Or install it by running below commands in terminal:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install handbrake-gtk

In News handbrake, media converter

Ubuntu 14.04.2 LTS Available for Download / Upgrade

Last updated: February 20, 2015

The second point release of Ubuntu 14.04 Trusty Tahr LTS (Long-Term Support) is out today with security fixes, newer kernel (3.16) and X support.

Ubuntu 14.04.2 LTS includes Linux Kernel 3.16 and an updated version of the Xorg display server from the Utopic 14.10 release. These newer enablement stacks are meant for desktop and server use only, and not recommended for cloud or virtual images.

Linux Kernel 3.16 was released in August 2014. It features 64-bit ARM EFI stub support, new Synaptics input driver, initial GK20A support, and more. See this article for details.

Download:

To download the .iso files of Ubuntu 14.04.2 and its flavors, go to:

releases.ubuntu.com

Upgrade:

For Ubuntu 14.04 and/or 14.04.1 users, just install all the system updates via Software Updater or run below commands one by one in a terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T):

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get upgrade

For the Kernel 3.16 and updated X stack, you have to install below packages manually by running command:

For Ubuntu Desktop:

sudo apt-get install --install-recommends linux-generic-lts-utopic xserver-xorg-lts-utopic libgl1-mesa-glx-lts-utopic libegl1-mesa-drivers-lts-utopic

For Ubuntu Server:

sudo apt-get install --install-recommends linux-generic-lts-utopic

You may need to upgrade Grub boot-loader after installation via:

sudo update-grub

Finally check out your OS version via command cat /etc/issue, Kernel version (need restart) via uname -sr:

via: Ubuntu 14.04.2 LTS release note.

In News Ubuntu 14.04.2

Sigil Epub Editor Now Is Based on Qt 5.4.0+

Last updated: February 4, 2015

Sigil, a free and open-source EPUB e-books editor, gets a big update recently by releasing version 0.8.3 and 0.8.4 one day after.

One of the big changes is that now Qt 5.4.0 is the minimum required version for building Sigil. Since Qt 5.4.0 fixed the macdeployqt application and even integrated code signing, Mac OS X (>= 10.9.5) users no longer need to disable gatekeeper.

But for Ubuntu, this may not be good news since Ubuntu repositories still provide Qt 5.2 for 14.04 and Qt 5.3 for 14.10 (and 15.04). Users need to manually download & install Qt 5.4.0+ and compile Sigil from the source tarball.

Sigil release notes, binary packages for Windows & Mac, and source code are available at github.com.

For Ubuntu user, besides building the latest Sigil 0.8.4 source code as well as Qt 5.4.0 manually, the old 0.8.2 release can be easily installed from a third-party PPA (run below commands one by one or grab the .deb from link page).

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:i2p.packages/i2p

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install sigil

In News epub, sigil epub editor

Firefox 35 Released – How to Upgrade in Ubuntu 14.04

Last updated: January 14, 2015

Mozilla Firefox has reached the 35 release which brings improved “Hello” video chat tool, built-in support for H.264 on OS X via native APIs, improved high quality image resizing performance, support for the CSS Font Loading API, updated PDF.js, and numerous other changes.

Here’s the full list of changes (via the official release note):

Firefox Hello with new rooms-based conversations model
New search UI improved and enabled for more locales
Access the Firefox Marketplace from the Tools menu and optional toolbar button
Built-in support for H264 (MP4) on Mac OS X Snow Leopard (10.6) and newer through native APIs
Use tiled rendering on OS X
Improved high quality image resizing performance
Improved handling of dynamic styling changes to increase responsiveness
Implemented HTTP Public Key Pinning Extension (for enhanced authentication of encrypted connections)
Added support for the CSS Font Loading API
Resource Timing API implemented
CSS filters enabled by default
Changed JavaScript ‘let’ semantics to match the ES6 specification
Support for inspecting ::before and ::after pseudo elements
Computed view: Nodes matching the hovered selector are now highlighted
Network Monitor: New request/response headers view (more info)
Added support for the EXT_blend_minmax WebGL extension
Show DOM Properties context menu item in inspector
Reduced resource usage for scaled images
PDF.js updated to version 1.0.907
Non-HTTP(S) XHR now returns correct status code
Various security fixes

Upgrade Firefox in Ubuntu:

For Ubuntu 12.04, Ubuntu 14.04, and Ubuntu 14.10, Firefox 35 will be soon made into the official Ubuntu repositories, available for upgrade through the Software Updater:

In News Firefox

Linux Mint 17.1 KDE Available For Download

Last updated: January 9, 2015

The Mint Team finally announced the KDE release of Linux Mint 17.1 Rebecca. The XFCE release should follow shortly in the coming days.

Linux Mint 17.1 is Long-Term Support release features KDE 4.14, MDM 1.8, a Linux kernel 3.13 and an Ubuntu 14.04 package base.

KDE wallet is fully integrated with Linux Mint.
Redesigned Update Manager
Redesigned Login Window Preferences
System, artwork, and other improvements.

Upgrade to Linux Mint 17.1 KDE:

For Linux Mint 17.1 RC users, launch Update Manager and install any Level 1 update available.
For Linux Mint 17 users, please wait for a few days while the Mint Team release a new version of the Update Manager to you.

Download Linux Mint 17.1:

The Linux Mint 17.1 KDE as well as other editions are available for download at the official download page:

Linux Mint Download Page

And the release note is here.

In News KDE, Linux Mint 17.1

Ubuntu based Linux Distro ‘Deepin 2014.2’ (Final) Released

Last updated: March 21, 2019

The final release of Deepin 2014.2, an Ubuntu 14.04 based Linux Distro, is out today!

Deepin is a Chinese Linux Distro that officially supports over 20 languages, it uses its own Deepin Desktop Environment developed based on HTML5 technology, with Deepin Music, Deepin Movie, Deepin Store and other Deepin system software. In addition, deepin comes with media codecs, Adobe Flash Player, Google Chrome, and other software pre-installed under license by the relevant manufacturers.

A great new feature in this release is that a deepin special version of CrossOver is pre-installed, allows to run Windows applications with CrossOver for free.

For Chinese users, the 2014.2 release brings QQ6.7, 360 security guard for Linux, and the latest versions of WPS, Google Chrome, and more.

System Requirements:

minimum system requirements: Intel Pentium IV 2.0GHz CPU, 1GB RAM, 10GB Hard Drive.
recommended requirements: Intel Core 2 2.0Ghz CPU, 2GB RAM, 20 GB Hard Drive.

NOTE: It’s not recommended to run Deepin OS as a guest OS since Compiz Window Manager has poor performance in virtual machines.

Download Deepin Linux:

Deepin 2014.2 32-bit and 64-bit ISOs are available for download in SourceForge

Install:

See the Youtube Video:

In News Linux Deepin

First Alpha Of Ubuntu 15.04 Vivid Vervet Available For Download

Last updated: September 29, 2017

The first alpha of the next Ubuntu 15.04 Vivid Vervet has been released today. It features images for Kubuntu, Lubuntu, Ubuntu GNOME, UbuntuKylin and the Ubuntu Cloud images.

NOTE Pre-releases of the Vivid Vervet 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.

Alpha 1 includes a number of software updates that are ready for wider testing. This is quite an early set of images, so you should expect some bugs.

Kubuntu 15.04: The Plasma 5 is now the default.
Ubuntu Gnome 15.04:
- Gnome-shell is still 3.12 for now (hopefully by Alpha 2, we shall have 3.14).
- Few applications have been updated to 3.14 (hopefully by Alpha 2, most of the applications will be 3.14).
- gnome-terminal has transparency again.
- Window control Button layouts have been reverted to upstream default (only close); use gnome-tweak-tool if you want to get back the other controls.