Scribus, the popular free open-source desktop publishing software, announced the new stable 1.6.x release series on the first day of 2024!
It’s been more than 4 years since the last stable 1.4.8, while 1.5.x release series is available as development branch.
The new Scribus 1.6 includes many new features! If you have the default 1.5.8 dev package from Ubuntu system repository, then most of them are already in use.
Features include:
Resource Manager for online resources such as dictionaries
canvas rendering improvements on Hi-DPI screens.
New commands added to scripting engine
New PDF-based output preview
Adobe® Illustrator® look like “Symbol” or clone feature.
Gnome Files, aka the default Nautilus file manager in Ubuntu & Fedora workstation, keeps moving with new features!
In the passed few month, there are minor but beginner friendly features merged into this popular file manager. They include “Enter Location” menu option, sidebar toggle button in sidebar, and badge icon to folder icon in ‘properties’ dialog.
NOTE: The new features introduced in this post are merged to master branch but NOT released yet! They may be available in next GNOME versions, backport to current, or even removed!
Alacritty, the popular free open-source GPU-accelerated terminal emulator, release new major 0.13.0 version few days ago.
The release introduced new features, including persist config option in hints config section, warnings for unused configuration file options, support for keybindings with dead keys, dynamically loading conpty.dll on Windows, as well as:
Back/Forward mouse buttons support in bindings
Copy global IPC options (-w -1) for new windows
Bindings to create and navigate tabs on macOS
Support startup notify protocol to raise initial window on Wayland/X11
Debug option prefer_egl to prioritize EGL over other display APIs
Inline vi-mode search using f/F/t/T
window.blur config option to request blur for transparent windows
--option argument for alacritty msg create-window
Support for DECRQM/DECRPM escape sequences
Support for kitty’s keyboard protocol
The release now uses TOML instead of YAML for configuration files. Run alacritty migrate command will automatically convert all the configuration files.
Other changes include:
Bundle mode-specific bindings in any mode.
Disable OSC 52 paste ability by default.
Deprecated draw_bold_text_with_bright_colors, key_bindings, and mouse_bindings.
SMPlayer media player released version 23.12 few days ago, with important bug-fixes and new API.
The new released fixed the compatibility issues when using MPV 0.37 as backend. They include video playback can not be resumed from pause, as well as the issue getting the audio and video codec on mpv 0.37.
SMPlayer 23.12 also implemented the new OpenSubtitles API. Since, the old API on OpenSubtitles.org is deprecated, and to be turned off by the end of 2023. If you use the service for getting subtitles, then it’s highly recommended to upgrade as soon as possible.
SMPlayer 23.12
For Ubuntu 23.10, the SMPlayer 22.7.0 installed from system repository, either freezes or pops-up following error on video playback:
“Oops, something went wrong. MPlayer/mpv has finished uxexpectedly. Exit code: 1”
The issue has been fixed in my test by installing the new version 23.12.
Other changes in SMPlayer 23.12 include:
Fix loading playlists with extension m3u8.
Fix video jitter/shudder when clicking on timeline bar.
Other bug fixes.
How to Install SMPlayer 23.12
The player provides official .exe for Windows, .dmg for MacOS, and .rpm/.deb/.snap/.flatpak/.AppImage for Linux, which as available to download at Github releases page:
For Ubuntu, user can choose to install the Snap package (run in sandbox), directly from Ubuntu Software or App Center. Or, use the official PPA (with ARM devices support) by running the commands below one by one:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:rvm/smplayer
sudo apt update
sudo apt install smplayer
It somehow does not provide package for Ubuntu 23.10. However, download & install the package for 22.04 works good in my case in 23.10 laptop.
For Debian from version 8 to 12 (Bookworm), SMPlayer is also available to install in both amd64 and i386 through the OBS repository.
Uninstall
For Ubuntu user, depends on which package you installed, either remove Snap from Ubuntu Software.
Or, remove the .deb package by running command in terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T):
sudo apt remove --autoremove smplayer
If the PPA was added, either remove it from “Software & Updates” tool under “Other Software” tab, or run command in terminal:
HandBrake, the popular free open-source video transcoder, released a new update for the new 1.7 series yesterday.
The new release fixed encoding issue for AMD VCN, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, NVIDIA NVENC, and VP9 encoders, which could cause the creation of an excessive number of keyframes.
It fixed unintentional automatic pass through of closed caption side data when using NVIDIA NVENC encoder.
For Linux, the release includes performance improvements by removing duplicate graphic assets and reducing file size, as well as fixes to Flatpak file chooser, file destination path, and memory leaks in the graphical interface.
Other changes include:
Improved automatic selection of Dolby Vision Level
Fixed crash opening an empty folder, and crash using VideoToolbox encoders on Apple Silicon Ultra.
Workaround to prevent issues decoding H.264 video on Mac OS.
Added Automation Properties to some controls on the audio tab to assist screen readers for Windows.
Fixed NVIDIA NVDEC option being ignored in Windows.
Miscellaneous bug fixes and improvements
How to Install HandBrake 1.7.2
HandBrake provides official Windows, MacOS, and Linux packages available to download at Github releases page under Assets
For Linux users, it’s Flatpak package which also available in Flathub repository, though NOT updated at the moment of writing.
For Ubuntu & Linux Mint users who prefer the classic .deb package, I’ve uploaded the package into this unofficial PPA for Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 22.04, Ubuntu 23.04, and Ubuntu 23.10.
1. First, press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard to open terminal. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:
Type user password (no asterisk feedback) when it asks and hit Enter to continue.
2. Linux Mint users need to manually update the system package cache, after adding PPA, by running command:
sudo apt update
3. Finally, install the new HandBrake package via command:
sudo apt install handbrake
For choice, you may also run sudo apt install handbrake-cli to install the command line tool
When installation done, search for and launch the video transcoder from either start/application menu or ‘Activities’ overview depends on your desktop environment.
Uninstall:
To uninstall the Ubuntu PPA, either open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run command:
Enlightenment window manager announced new 0.26.0 release few days ago.
The new release added some new features, including DDC option to backlight control of external monitors, bigger task previews, and watermark to wl mode to indicate E is in experimental wl mode.
Enlightenment 0.26.0 also added new APIs, including new eet disk sync API to ensure config it stored, logind’s lock/unlock dbus apis, API to play sound samples and support in notifications, and new eina API for EFL libraries.
Other changes include:
Support action desktop files in EFM to add file actions
Add org.freedesktop.ScreenSaver inhibit support
Add and enabl watchdog thread by default to detect mainloop hangs
Add option to Randr X11 support to use xrandr cmdline not direct API
Be agressive about forcing E’s blank settings if apps override them
Add params to mixer actions to allow to set amount up/down
Add option for input settings for flat accel + hires scrolling
Add option to set hidden state in netwm or not
There are also EFL 1.27 changes include JXL Evas loader/saver, QOI Evas image loader/saver, LibreSSL 3.5.x, remove GNUTLS support due to in favor of openssl3, and support ecore exe terminate with parent on windows. See more in the News page.
Get Enlightenment 0.26.0
Besides building from source, there seems no PPA or any 3rd repository for installing new release in Ubuntu.
To download the source, just go to its website via the link below:
Stellarium, the free open-source planetarium software, announced new 23.4 release few days ago.
The new release added experimental support for new plugin: Lens Distortion Estimator, and new sky culture: Tibetan Lunar Mansions.
With new release, user can now change the look of GUI through normalStyle.css config file. For Windows, it added new MESA for Windows packages, and package for ARM64 CPU architecture type.
Other changes include:
Support the origins of nomenclature names
Performance improvements on macOS with ARM64
Add script “Jupiter Moons”
Add filter, based on SATCAT Operational Status in Satellites plugin
Add AppImage package based on Qt6.
more simple calendar-based time steps (esp. for RemoteControl)
wrapper for too long star names
Temporary workaround for overlapping indicator and text in lists
Optional sorting rule for Search Tool
Text wrapper for pulsar notes, Modern (H.A. Rey) SC, and long origins of nomenclature names
Ability to make observing lists directory configurable via GUI
Add dpiAwareness option to manifest and send physical viewport size to Spout
Add DSO names
Add 2 new time steps for AstroCalc/Ephemeris tool
Remote control command to change window size
And various bug-fixes. See release note for details.
How to Install Stellarium 23.4
The software provides official packages for Linux, Windows, MacOS, as well as source code, available to download at Github release page:
Ubuntu user can search for and install Stellarium from either Ubuntu Software or App Center (for 23.10), though it’s Snap package runs in sandbox.
For Ubuntu & Linux Mint users who prefer the classic .deb package, the official PPA has built the package for Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 22.04, Ubuntu 23.04, and Ubuntu 23.10.
1. First, press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard to open terminal. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:
Darkable, the popular photography app and raw developer, released new major 4.6.0 version a day ago!
The new release introduced auto-save feature for editing history. By default, it save changes every 10 seconds. User can go to ‘Preferences -> storage‘ to change the time interval, or set it to 0 to disable it.
Darktable 4.6.0 also features new rgb primaries processing module. It allows delicate color corrections and creative color grading, by moving the red, green and blue primary colors around using “hue” and “purity” controls.
Darktable 4.6.0
The release also has a big performance improvements. OpenCL is now initialized in the background to speed up the app launching. Image display speed in the map view has been increased by 25%. And, the chromatic aberrations module is now approximagely 10% faster when run on the CPU.
Other changes in Darktable 4.6.0 include:
sigmoid module now includes a new primaries section, to gracefully handle difficult lighting situations (e.g. LEDs) and tune the overall look of the image
The full uncropped image is now always shown when working with the liquify and retouch modules.
The hot pixels module now supports monochrome images.
long-running import session can now be canceled.
built-in “Display P3” color profile
And much more! See the official release note for details
How to Install Darktable 4.6.0 in Ubuntu Linux
Option 1: Snap
Darktable is easy to install as Snap package, which runs in sandbox, using Ubuntu Software (or App Center for 23.10).
Option 2: Official deb package
The developer team offers official RPM and DEB packages for Debian, Fedora, Ubuntu, openSUSE, through the OBS building repository.
Also, it’s NOT updated to v4.6.0 at the moment of writing. Keep an eye on this page if you prefer the official package.
Option 3: Flatpak package
Darktable is also available to install as Flatpak package, another universal Linux package format runs in sandbox!
Linux Mint 21 user can directly search for and install the Flatpak package from Software Manager.
While, Ubuntu user can open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run the 2 commands below one by one to install the Flatpak:
Besides using the official DEB package (See Option 2), I’ve also upload the package into this unofficial PPA for Ubuntu 22.04, Ubuntu 23.04, and Ubuntu 23.10.
NOTE: The PPA includes updated libheif (1.16.2) library for Darktable to support HEIF in Ubuntu 22.04. Please report if it’s running into conflict with other packages in your system!!
1. First, press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard to open terminal. When it opens, run command to add PPA:
2. Linux Mint needs to update system package cache manually after adding PPA:
sudo apt update
3. Finally, install Darktable 4.6.0 via command:
sudo apt install darktable
In addition for old Ubuntu 20.04, 18.04, & 16.04, keep an eye on this PPA. However, it has tons of updated libraries that MAY run into dependency hell and/or package conflict!
Uninstall Darktable
Depends on which package your installed, remove Darktable via one of the commands below:
For Snap package, just remove it from Ubuntu Software.
Firefox web browser announced the new monthly 121.0 release this Tuesday!
For Linux, the release finally default to Wayland session when available, meaning for Ubuntu 22.04 and higher (exclude Snap), Fedora Workstation, and other Linux with recent GNOME Desktop.
With Wayland, it has better support for touchscreen & touchpad.
User can use 2-finger swipe left/right to navigate forward and backward, and 2-finger pinch gesture to zoom in/out. It as well has per-monitor DPI settings, better graphics performance, and more.
Besides Wayland for Linux, Firefox 121.0 also adds Voice Control commands support on macOS systems, and prompts Windows users to install the Microsoft AV1 Video Extension to enable hardware decoding support.
Other features in Firefox 121.0 include:
Option to force links to always be underlined
New PDF viewer floating button to simplify deleting drawings, text, and images.
Option to disable the debugger; keyword on the current page.
Support :has() selector, the hanging and each-line keywords, balance keyword, lazy loading iframes.
tail call elimination support in WebAssembly language
Various security fixes.
How to Get Firefox 121.0
Most Linux that pre-installs Firefox, will build the latest package soon and publish into system repositories.
For Ubuntu, the snap package has been updated to v121.0. It should update to the new release automatically.
If NOT, press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard to open terminal, and run command to do the update manually.
snap refresh firefox
For the portable Linux tarball, as well as the official release note, go to the link below:
