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Stellarium 0.16.1 Released with Important Features (How-to Install)

Last updated: September 23, 2017

Stellarium, a planetarium software shows a 3D simulation of the night sky, has reached the 0.16.1 release. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 17.04, Ubuntu 17.10, and derivatives.

Stellarium 0.16.1 is a bug-fix release with some important new features:

  • Added moons of Saturn, Uranus and Pluto
  • Added improvements for AstroCalc tool
  • DSO catalog was updated to version 3.2:
    • Added support ‘The Strasbourg-ESO Catalogue of Galactic Planetary Nebulae’ (Acker+, 1992)
    • Added support ‘A catalogue of Galactic supernova remnants’ (Green, 2014)
    • Added support ‘A Catalog of Rich Clusters of Galaxies’ (Abell+, 1989)
  • Added support asterisms and outlines for DSO
  • Added improvements for the GUI

How to Install Stellarium 0.16.1 in Ubuntu:

The official Stellarium PPA has built the packages for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 17.04, Ubuntu 17.10, and their derivatives.

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

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:stellarium/stellarium-releases

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

2. Then upgrade Stellarium from an existing release with Software Updater utility:

Or run following commands to install the software for the first time:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install stellarium

Uninstall:

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

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove stellarium

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

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Pitivi video editor 1.0 reached RC release [How-to Install]

Last updated: September 22, 2017

The open-source non-linear video editor, Pitivi 1.0, is finally near after thirteen years of development.

Pitivi 1.0 release candidate “Ocean Big Chair”, marked as version 0.99, has many bug-fixes and performance improvements. There are quite a few important fixes thanks to the students who contributed in Google Summer of Code.

The development is focused on bug fixing until Pitivi 1.0. A flatpak repository has been created so Ubuntu users can easily install the latest release of Pitivi via following steps.

How to Install Pitivi via Flatpak in Ubuntu:

1. For Ubuntu 16.04, first open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run following commands to install flatpak daemon while it’s not available by default:

  • Add the PPA repository for flatpak: 
    sudo add-apt-repository ppa:alexlarsson/flatpak

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

  • Then install flatpak for Ubuntu 16.04 and derivatives: 
    sudo apt update

sudo apt install --install-recommends flatpak

2. Then run command to install Pitivi flatpak package:

flatpak install --user http://flatpak.pitivi.org/pitivi.flatpakref

Once installed, launch the video editor either from your application launcher or via command:

flatpak run org.pitivi.Pitivi

In addition, to update the Pitivi flatpak when a new release is available, run command:

flatpak --user update org.pitivi.Pitivi

And to uninstall the flatpak, run following command in terminal:

flatpak --user uninstall org.pitivi.Pitivi stable
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Flight Simulator FlightGear 2017.3 Released [Ubuntu PPA]

Last updated: September 21, 2017

The FlightGear flight simulator has reached the 2017.3 release earlier today with a huge list of changes.

Though it’s not official announced at the moment, FlightGear 2017.3 features following changes according to the changelog:

  • Aircraft: detailed Carrier USS Harry Truman and escort group, with many animated elements, using experimental wave motion
  • Multiple flightplans fixed and is now possible to be controlled from Nasal.
  • Starting on carriers fixed
  • Enabling of display lists for random vegetation provides a massive performance boost for random vegetation.
  • More than 1000 screenshots now allowed
  • Support for AI wake turbulence added.
  • new Mediterranean tree textures, new desert shrub textures
  • See more in the changelog.

How to Install FlightGear in Ubuntu:

The official website refers to the PPA repository, which contains FlightGear packages for Ubuntu 14.04, Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 17.04, though the 2017.3 release is not made into PPA at the moment of writing.

1. Add the PPA by opening terminal, either via Ctrl+Alt+T or by searching it from app launcher, and running command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:saiarcot895/flightgear

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

2. Then you can upgrade FlightGear via Software Updater once it’s published in the PPA repository.

Or install it for the first time via commands:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install flightgear

Uninstall:

To uninstall FlightGear, simply run following command in terminal:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove flightgear

And remove the PPA by launching “Software & Updates” utility and navigating to Other Software tab.

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HPLIP 3.17.9 Released with New HP Printers Support

Last updated: September 19, 2017

HPLIP, an open-source HP developed Linux drivers for HP printers, has reached the 3.17.9 release hours ago with many new printers support and new Distro’s support.

New Linux Distro’s supported in HPLIP 3.17.9:

  • openSuse 42.3 (64-bit)
  • LinuxMint-18.2 (32-bit and 64-bit)
  • Fedora-26 (32-bit and 64-bit)
  • RHEL -7.3 (64-bit)

New printers supported in the release:

  • HP OfficeJet Pro 7720 Wide Format All-in-One
  • HP DeskJet AMP All-in-One Printer
  • HP OfficeJet 5220, 5230, 5232 All-in-One Printer
  • HP ENVY Photo 6220, 6230, 6232, 6234, 7120, 7130, 7134, 7155, 7164, 7800, 7820,7855 All-in-One Printer
  • HP ENVY 5020, 5032 All-in-One Printer
  • HP DeskJet Ink Advantage 3735 All-in-One
  • HP AMP 130 All-in-One Printer
  • HP OfficeJet Pro 7730 Wide Format All-in-One
  • HP DeskJet Ink Advantage 5075 All-in-One Printer
  • HP PageWide Enterprise Color 765dn
  • HP PageWide Managed Color E75160dn
  • HP PageWide Enterprise Color MFP 780dn
  • HP PageWide Enterprise Color Flow MFP 785f, 785zs, 785z+
  • HP PageWide Managed Color MFP E77650dn, E77650dns, E77660dn
  • HP PageWide Managed Color Flow MFP E77650z, E77650zs, E77650z+, E77660z, E77660zs, E77660z+
  • HP ENVY Photo 5030 All-in-One Printer

Download / Install HPLIP 3.17.9:

To install the software, download the package “hplip-3.17.9.run” from the link below:

Then open terminal via Ctrl+Alt+T or search for “terminal” from app launcher. When it opens, run command:

cd ~/Downloads/ && chmod +x hplip-3.17.9.run && ./hplip-3.17.9.run

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

Then follow terminal outputs, answer some questions to build and install HPLIP on your system. When everything is done, plug/re-plug your printers and enjoy!

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Blender 2.79 Released! How to Install it in Ubuntu

Last updated: June 9, 2021

Blender 2.79 was finally released a day ago after 2 release candidates. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 14.04, Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 17.04, and derivatives.

Blender 2.79 release highlights:

  • OpenCL support has improved and should be closer to parity with Blender’s CUDA capabilities.
  • 10~20% faster performance for modern x86_64 CPUs with AVX2
  • automatic DPI support for determining HiDPI displays
  • an overhaul to Blender’s video output support
  • new denoiser, PBR shader, shadow catcher, filmic color management
  • and over 700 bug-fixes.

How to Install Blender 2.79 in Ubuntu:

The official Blender tarball (non-install) for Linux is available for download at:

Install Blender in Ubuntu via Snap:

Blender 2.79 is also available as snap package, which is large in file, but bundles almost all required libraries. Available for Ubuntu 14.04, Ubuntu 16.04, and higher.

1. For Ubuntu 14.04 only, install snapd daemon if you don’t have it:

sudo apt-get install snapd xdg-open-snapd

2. If you have installed the snap package “blender-tpaw” (2.78c so far), first remove it via:

sudo snap remove blender-tpaw

3. Finally run command to install blender 2.79 snap maintained by another guy:

sudo snap install blender --classic

Install Blender 2.79 via PPA in Ubuntu:

Thomas Schiex’s PPA contains the Blender packages for Ubuntu 14.04, Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 17.04.

NOTE that Blender 2.79 is not ready in the PPA at the moment of writing. Be patient, it will be there in a few days.

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

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:thomas-schiex/blender

2. Then upgrade Blender if you have a previous installed via Software Updater:

or run commands to check updates and install blender package:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install blender

How to Remove:

To remove Blender packages either use your system package manager or run commands:

To remove Blender snap app, run command:

sudo snap remove blender

To remove Blender installed from PPA, run command:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove blender

And to remove the PPA repository, launch “Software & Updates” utility and navigate to Other Software tab.

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Install Internet Radio App ‘Gradio’ 6.0 via Snap in Ubuntu

Last updated: September 30, 2017

Gradio, an open-source GTK+ internet radio application, has reached the 6.0 release.

Now it’s available as snap app while the official PPA can no longer build it for Ubuntu 16.04 due to the old system GTK+3 library.

Gradio 6.0 release highlights:

  • Group your radio stations into collections
  • New sorting options.
  • export and import station library.
  • create and edit stations.
  • New details sidebar, selection system.
  • Gradio 6.0 requires GTK 3.22 or higher
  • and many more.

How to Install Gradio via Snap in Ubuntu:

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

1. For Ubuntu 14.04 only, you need to first install snapd daemon if you don’t have it:

sudo apt-get install snapd

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

2. Install Gradio snap app via command:

sudo snap install gradio

3. Install Gnome environment via commands:

sudo snap install gnome-3-24

sudo snap connect gradio:gnome-3-24-platform gnome-3-24:gnome-3-24-platform

Finally launch Gradio desktop radio app from your application launcher and enjoy!

How to Remove:

To remove the snap version of Gradio, simply run following command in terminal:

sudo snap remove gradio
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Pandora Radio Client ‘Pithos’ 1.4.0 Released [Ubuntu PPA]

Last updated: September 11, 2017

Pithos, an open-source Pandora radio client, has reached the 1.4.0 release with new plugins support, performance improvements and more.

Pithos is a native Pandora Radio client for Linux. It’s much more lightweight than the Pandora.com web client, and integrates with desktop features such as media keys, notifications, and the sound menu.

Pithos 1.4.0 release highlights:

  • Add new plugin that inhibits screensaver/suspend during playback
  • Add new plugin adding a 10-band equalizer
  • Add new plugin that automatically normalizes volume between tracks
  • Add help entry (F1) that opens the wiki
  • Replace build system with Meson
  • Automatically detect if the user has Pandora One
  • Improve saving and restoring window position
  • Improve plugin loading performance and error reporting
  • Notification Icon: Improve detecting if a tray is available
  • Notification Icon: Add option to use symbolic icon

How to Install Pithos in Ubuntu:

The software has an official Ubuntu PPA that contains Pithos deb packages for Ubuntu 16.04 and Ubuntu 17.04.

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

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:pithos/ppa

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

2. Then check updates and install the Pandora radio client via command:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install --install-recommends pithos

Note that at the moment of writing, the PPA contains the last 1.3.1 release. It needs time for the developer building the software packages.

Uninstall Pithos:

To remove Pithos, run following command in terminal:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove pithos

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

In addition, Pithos is also available as Gnome Platpak, see the wiki.

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Visual Studio Code 1.16 Released! How to Install it in Ubuntu

Last updated: September 8, 2017

Visual Studio Code has reached the 1.16 release earlier today. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu.

Visual Studio Code 1.16 release highlights:

  • Easily extract JavaScript or TypeScript code into methods or functions with new code actions.
  • Improved editor productivity with automatic close tags.
  • You can now use the VS Code color picker in HTML files.
  • The Integrated Terminal can now be launched in Quick Open.
  • Drag and drop from Search results and Problems panel
  • Support for having multiple source control providers simultaneously
  • New online documentation and more.

How to Install VS Code 1.16 in Ubuntu:

The official .deb package for Debian/Ubuntu is available for download at the link below:

Install the package via either Gdebi package manager or command (Ctrl+Alt+T):

sudo dpkg -i ~/Downloads/code_*.deb; sudo apt -f install

For those who want to receive updates for VS Code via Software Updater utility, add the Microsoft repository via following steps (64bit only):

1. Open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run command to add the repository:

sudo sh -c 'echo "deb [arch=amd64] https://packages.microsoft.com/repos/vscode stable main" > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/vscode.list'

2. Download and install the repository key via commands:

curl https://packages.microsoft.com/keys/microsoft.asc | gpg --dearmor > microsoft.gpg

sudo mv microsoft.gpg /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/microsoft.gpg

Install VS Code Snap app in Ubuntu:

Microsoft Visual Studio Code is available via Snap app in Ubuntu, though it’s not updated to version 1.16 at the moment of writing, see how to install VS Code vis Snap in Ubuntu.

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OpenShot 2.4 Released! How to Install it in Ubuntu

Last updated: September 11, 2017

The openshot video editor has reached the 2.4 release earlier today with stability improvements. Here’s how to install it in all current Ubuntu releases.

OpenShot 2.4 mainly features following changes:

  • Vastly improved stability, improved undo/redo history (now being saved inside each project file).
  • Fixed Image Sequence exporting. Supports PNG, JPG, PPM, BMP and a few others.
  • Added ‘Audio Only’ and ‘Video Only’ export options.
  • New freeze and zoom menu
  • Prevent crashes related to too many threads
  • Fix many crash issues and other bugs.
  • See the release note for details.

How to Install OpenShot 2.4 in Ubuntu:

A 64-bit AppImage is available for download at the link below. Just download, make executable and run the file to launch OpenShot:

For traditional packages, OpenShot’s official PPA contains the .deb packages for Ubuntu 14.04, Ubuntu 16.04, and Ubuntu 17.04, though OpenShot 2.4 build it not ready at the moment of writing.

1. Open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:openshot.developers/ppa

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

2. Then upgrade the editor via “Software Updater”, if you have a previous openshot-qt package installed.

Or run commands to check updates and install / upgrade OpenShot:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install openshot-qt

Uninstall:

To uninstall openshot video editor, run following command in terminal:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove openshot-qt

And remove the PPA by launching “Software & Updates” and navigating to Other Software tab.

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Shotcut 17.09 Released! How to Install it in Ubuntu 16.04

Last updated: September 5, 2017

Shotcut, a free, open-source, and cross-platform video editor application, has reached the 17.09 release earlier today.

Shotcut 17.09 contains various bug fixes and translation updates, it also contains following changes:

  • Renewed the code signing certificate for the Windows installer and executable.
  • Updated SDL to v2.0
  • Updated FFmpeg to v3.2
  • Updated x264, x265, and vp8/9 to the latest stable versions.
  • Add the ability to turn off the welcome message

How to Install Shotcut 17.09 in Ubuntu:

The software offers portable Linux package available for download at the link below:

Simply extract the Linux tarball, and run executable to launch the editor.

For better Ubuntu integration, install the Shotcut snap app via following commands:

1. For Ubuntu 14.04 & Ubuntu 16.04 who’ve never installed a snap app, open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run command to install snapd daemon:

sudo apt-get install snapd snapd-xdg-open

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

2. Then install Shotcut snap app via command:

sudo snap install shotcut --classic

Once installed, launch it from your application launcher and enjoy!

Uninstall:

The snap app will be upgrade automatically once a new release is published. To remove it, open terminal and run command:

sudo snap remove shotcut
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