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Archives For November 30, 1999

FlightGear 2020.3 Released with New Default Keflavík (BIKF) Airport [Ubuntu PPA]

Last updated: November 8, 2020

After 2 years of development, Flightgear 2020.3 was released as the latest stable version of the flight simulator. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 20.10, and derivatives.

FlightGear 2020.3 release highlights:

New default Keflavík International Airport (BIKF)
Aircraft updates:
- The A320 has been overhauled
- The C182 gained an excellent integration of the FG1000 glass-cockpit, as did the J3 Cub and the Diamond DA40.
- The SEPCAT Jaguar GR.1, Bombardier Q400 and twenty more aircraft were added.
FlightGear now simulates tides covering and uncovering shallow areas (littoral areas), like tidal flats (mudflats).
Textures can be cached & compressed for faster loading and reduced memory use, giving better performance.
Connection to the VATSIM network via SWIFT is officially supported.
Better translation support, and handling of non-ASCII file names.
Many view improvements, including a new Tower-AGL view.

1.) To install the flight simulator, first open terminal either from system application menu or by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard.

When terminal opens, run command to add the PPA repository:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:saiarcot895/flightgear

Type user password (no asterisk feedback) when it prompts and hit Enter to continue.

2.) Then refresh system package cache and install the software via command:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install flightgear

If an old version was installed, you can also upgrade it via Software Updater utility.

Uninstall:

To remove FlightGear PPA, either go to Software & Updates > Other Software, or run command:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:saiarcot895/flightgear

And remove the flight simulator if you want by running command:

sudo apt remove --autoremove flightgear flightgear-data

In Howtos, News flightgear

How to Install GIMP 2.99.10 (Dev for GIMP 3.0) in Ubuntu 20.04

Last updated: April 24, 2024

This tutorial shows how to install the latest Beta release of GIMP 3.0, so far GIMP 2.99.10, in Ubuntu 20.04 using the official flatpak package.

What’s New in GIMP 2.99.10 compare to current stable:

GTK+3 user interface
Native Wayland and HiDPI support.
Major refactoring and cleanup
New plug-in API
Plugins now possible with Python 3, JavaScript, Lua, and Vala
More (color) space invasion
Render caching available for better performance
Clone-type tools on multiple layers
JPEG-XL file format support.
Pinch gesture on canvas for zooming
New Paint Select tool in the playground
New generic dialog generation and metadata support API for export plug-ins
Multi-threaded JPEG2000 decoding

GIMP 2.99.10 is available to install via Flatpak package in the “beta” branch of the official Flathub repository. You can open terminal and run following commands one by one to install it in Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 20.04, and Ubuntu 21.10.

1. Install Flatpak framework if you don’t have it (For Ubuntu 18.04 and even 16.04, add this PPA first).

sudo apt install flatpak

2. Add the flathub beta channel via command:

flatpak remote-add --user flathub-beta https://flathub.org/beta-repo/flathub-beta.flatpakrepo

3. Finally install GIMP 2.99.x via command (for single user only):

flatpak install --user flathub-beta org.gimp.GIMP

Once installed, launch it from ‘Show Applications’ menu and enjoy! In the case, I have GIMP 2.10 (via deb) and GIMP 2.99.x (via flatpak).

NOTE: If you installed both GIMP flatpak stable and beta packages, only one will be visible in app launcher. To make beta version visible, run command:

flatpak make-current --user org.gimp.GIMP beta

And to make stable version visible, replace beta in the command with stable.

Uninstall GIMP 2.99.x:

To remove the package, simply run command:

flatpak --user uninstall org.gimp.GIMP

In Howtos, News GIMP 3.0

Bluefish Editor 2.2.12 Released with Python 3 Compatibility [Ubuntu PPA]

Last updated: September 25, 2022

Bluefish, a powerful editor targeted towards programmers and web developers, released version 2.2.12 a day ago with some minor new features.

Bluefish 2.2.12 release highlights:

Fix for a crash in simple search.
Python 3 compatibility has been further improved.
Improved encoding detection in python files.
Triple click now selects the line.
On Mac OSX Bluefish deals better with the new permission features.
Improved syntax highlighting for several programming languages.
Bluefish now works fine with Enchant2 for spell checking.

Install Bluefish via PPA:

UPDATE: as Klaus Vormweg’s PPA is no longer exist, I uploaded the 2.2.12 packages into this unofficial PPA for Ubuntu 20.04 and Ubuntu 18.04. For Ubuntu 22.04, the latest package is already available in system repository.

1. Open terminal either by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard or by searching from ‘Activities’ overview.

When terminal opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/bluefish

Type user password when it prompts and hit Enter to continue.

2. Then run commands to check updates and install the programmers editor:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install bluefish

Or launch ‘Software Updater’ and update the package if an old version was installed.

Uninstall:

You may remove the PPA repository either via Software & Updates utility under Other Software tab, or by running command in terminal:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/bluefish

And remove Bluefish programmers editor if you want via command:

sudo apt remove --autoremove bluefish

In News bluefish

Chromium Browser (Deb) Now Available to Install via Linux Mint 20 Repository

Last updated: February 21, 2021

Prefer installing Chromium web browser via deb over the snap package? Linux Mint 20 now includes the browser and keeps it updated in its own repository for both Ubuntu based and LMDE editions.

Since Ubuntu 20.04, chromium browser in the main repository is a dummy package. It’s redirected to the SNAP (containerized software package) when you trying to install it.

The Linux Mint team argued against this change and removed the package from its main repositories.

When it starts replacing packages for no good reason though, when it starts harming our interaction with upstream projects and software vendors and reducing our choice, it becomes a threat.

Now the Chromium browser is back to the official repositories for both Linux Mint and LMDE. And it’s a deb package built by the Linux Mint team.

How to Install Chromium Deb Package in Ubuntu 20.04:

Though there’s already an ~~Ubuntu PPA~~ that maintains the deb package, the one from Linux Mint is available for choice:

Just click the button below, download the deb package, install it and you’re done!

Chromium in Mint Repository

Note: For Ubuntu grab the package with “ulyana” in filename. For Debian download the one with “debbie” in filename.

Add the Linux Mint repository & receive updates:

You can add the Linux Mint repository, so you’re able to receive the package updates through Software Updater.

1. Open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run command to add the Linux Mint 20 upstream repository:

sudo sh -c 'echo "deb http://packages.linuxmint.com ulyana upstream" >> /etc/apt/sources.list.d/mint.list'

2. Download and click install the key (its “linuxmint-keyring_2016.05.26_all.deb” so far):

Linux Mint Keyring

3. Set the priority to make Ubuntu only install chromium from Linux Mint repository.

Run command to create and open the configuration file in text editor:

sudo gedit /etc/apt/preferences.d/mint-ulyssa-pin

When it opens, paste below lines and save the file.

# Allow upgrading only chromium from Ulyssa repository
Package: chromium
Pin: origin packages.linuxmint.com
Pin-Priority: 500

# Never prefer other packages from the Ulyssa repository
Package: *
Pin: origin packages.linuxmint.com
Pin-Priority: 1

4. Finally check updates and install the web browser:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install chromium

Note the package is chromium rather than chromium-browser.

To remove Linux Mint repository:

Simply go to Software & Updates -> Other Software tab and remove the repository line.

In News chromium browser

Pandora Client Pithos 1.5.1 Released [Ubuntu PPA]

Last updated: September 13, 2022

Pithos, native Pandora Radio client for Linux, released version 1.5.1 a day ago with minor bug-fixes and improvements.

Pithos is much more lightweight than the Pandora.com web client, and integrates with desktop features such as media keys, notifications, and the sound menu. The latest v1.5.1 release highlights include:

Add Quit to the app menu
Remove the limit of 95 stations
Handle Enter keypress in stations search
Fix app menu keybindings failing to work
Fix syntax error on Python 3.8
Fix an exception on newer versions of pygobject
Fix album art downloads in Flatpak
MPRIS: Fix media keys failing to bind on KDE

How to Install Pithos 1.5.1 in Ubuntu / Linux Mint:

If you’re OK with the containerized flatpak package. Pithos 1.5.1 has been made into flathub.org for most Linux systems.

For those prefer .deb package, the unofficial PPA is available for Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 20.04, Linux Mint 20, Ubuntu 22.04.

1. Open terminal and run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/apps

2. Then check updates and install the client:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install pithos

How to Remove Pithos:

To remove the PPA, either go to Software & Updates -> Other Software or run command in terminal:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/apps

And to remove the Pandora client, run command:

sudo apt remove --autoremove pithos

In News Pandora Radio Client

Kodi 18.9 Released with HTTP Access Workaround [PPA]

Last updated: October 25, 2020

Kodi media center released one more update for the 18.x “Leia” a day ago, with a quick workaround to the third-party HTTP2 and SSL changes that impacted internet access from Kodi by scrapers, streaming addons, etc.

Okay, one more roll of the “Leia” die, although this one is really driven by circumstances beyond our control. Technical changes by Cloudflare caused significant issues with HTTP access to any site using them – metadata sources, for example – and we need to put in a quick workaround before everyone gets too upset; while 19.x “Matrix” is close, it’s not close enough to leave these issues unaddressed. So, as we’re building that new code, we thought that we might as well fix a couple of other regressions while we’re here.

Changes in Kodi 18.9 also include:

Fix memory leaks in TexturePacker
Fix event server unable to send raw key strikes
Fix issues around directory navigation and incorrectly-set start directories
Fix MediaCodec OES/EGL rendering

How to Install Kodi 18.9 in Ubuntu:

Kodi Team PPA has made the new release packages for all current Ubuntu releases and derivatives.

1. Open terminal either from application menu or by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

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

Type user password (no asterisk feedback) when it prompts and hit Enter to continue.

2. Then either upgrading Kodi from an existing version via Software Updater:

upgrade Kodi

or refresh system package cache and install Kodi 18.9 via commands:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install kodi

Uninstall:

To remove the Kodi PPA repository, simply open Software & Updates -> Other Software.

To remove Kodi, run command:

sudo apt remove --autoremove kodi kodi-data kodi-bin

In News Kodi

Ubuntu 20.10 Released! How to Upgrade from Ubuntu 20.04 to Ubuntu 20.10

Last updated: October 23, 2020

Ubuntu 18.04

Ubuntu 20.10 Groovy Gorilla was officially released! Here’s how to upgrade from Ubuntu 20.04 LTS.

Ubuntu 20.10 will be supported for 9 months until July 2021. It features Linux Kernel 5.8, desktop images for Raspberry Pi 4, and GNOME 3.38 on Ubuntu Desktop.

Other changes include:

Airtime Queue limits for better WiFi connection quality
USB 4 (Thunderbolt 3 protocol) support added
Intel Gen11 (Ice Lake) and Gen12 (Tiger Lake) graphics support
Initial support for AMD Family 19h (Zen 3)
Initial support for POWER10
Toolchain update: GCC 10, LLVM 11, Python 3.8.6, etc.
nftables is now the default backend for the firewall.
The latest OpenStack, updated apps, and more.

Upgrade Ubuntu 20.04 to Ubuntu 20.10:

Ubuntu 20.10 ISO images are available to download at releases.ubuntu.com/20.10.

If you want to upgrade to Ubuntu 20.10 Groovy Gorilla from Ubuntu 20.04, do following steps one by one.

1. Back up all your important data. And you may also create a system restore point via TimeShift which is available in Ubuntu Software.

2. Open Software & Updates and do:

select download from Main Server in the first tab.
disable all third-party PPAs in the second tab.
select ‘Notify me of a new Ubuntu version: For any version‘ in the third tab.

3. Open Software Updater and install all system updates! Restart after installation if it asks.

4. Open Software Updater again, and it should prompt that Ubuntu 20.10 is available to upgrade.

5. Click on the Upgrade… button. Type your password when it prompts. You will be presented with the Release Notes for the release you’re about to upgrade to.

Click on the Upgrade button. It will download the upgrading tool and show you a Distribution Upgrade window allows you to monitor progress. If everything goes OK, you’ll be prompted to restart the system to complete the upgrade.

In Howtos, News Ubuntu 20.10

KeePassXC 2.6.2 Released with ‘Always on Top’ Option

Last updated: April 24, 2024

KeePassXC, KeePass Cross-Platform Community Edition, released a new update today with new menu option to keep window always on top.

Besides the ‘Always on Top’ menu option, KeePassXC 2.6.2 also features:

Move show/hide usernames and passwords to view menu
Add command line options and environment variables for changing the config locations
Include TOTP settings in CSV import/export and add support for ISO date times
Mask sensitive information in command execution confirmation prompt
Change “Add key” keyboard shortcut to Ctrl+H.
Various bug-fixes, and stability improvements.

How to Install KeePassXC 2.6.2 in Ubuntu:

The official upstream PPA has made the new release packages for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 20.04, and Ubuntu 20.10.

1.) Open terminal either by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard, or by searching for ‘terminal’ from system application launcher.

When terminal opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:phoerious/keepassxc

Type your password (no asterisk feedback) when it prompts and hit Enter to continue.

2.) Then either update the software package using Software Updater

or run command to install the software:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install keepassxc

Uninstall:

You can run the PPA repository simply by running command in terminal:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:phoerious/keepassxc

And if you want, remove keepassxc password manger via command:

sudo apt remove --autoremove keepassxc

In News KeePassXC

Install Microsoft Edge Browser (Stable) in Ubuntu / Debian via Official Repository

Last updated: April 24, 2024

Microsoft Edge web browser finally adds Linux support after more than a year of dev and beta tests. Here’s how to correctly add the Microsoft repository and install Edge browser in Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 22.04, Debian 11, and their based systems.

After this tutorial, you should be able to open the latest stable Edge from start menu (activities overview). And, with the Microsoft repository it allows to keep it up-to-date by receiving updates via “Software Updater”.

How to Install Microsoft Edge in Ubuntu:

For those who don’t want to struggle with Linux commands, just download the latest version of .deb package from THIS PAGE, then double-click to install via “Software Install”.

1. Download & install the GPG Key:

Before adding the repository, you need to first download & install the GPG key so system will accept signatures from Microsoft.

Press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard to open terminal. When it opens, paste the command below and hit Enter to run:

wget -O - https://packages.microsoft.com/keys/microsoft.asc | gpg --dearmor | sudo tee /usr/share/keyrings/microsoft.gpg

The command will download the key from Microsoft, then convert it into encrypted GPG, and finally store the file under “/usr/share/keyrings/” directory.

Download, convert, & install the key

IMPORTANT: After downloaded the key, terminal may stuck with blinking cursor! It’s waiting for you to type user password for sudo command, because the “[sudo] password for $USER:” prompt is somehow not displayed. Just type your password (no feedback) and hit Enter.

2. Add Microsoft Edge repository:

After installing the GPG key, run the command below one by one to add the repository to your system.

a.) Remove old repository if any via command:

sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/microsoft-edge*.list

b.) Add the stable repository:

sudo sh -c 'echo "deb [arch=amd64 signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/microsoft.gpg] https://packages.microsoft.com/repos/edge stable main" > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/microsoft-edge.list'

The command will create and write the source line into “/etc/apt/sources.list.d/microsoft-edge.list” file, signed by the key installed via step above.

Add microsoft repo, sign the key

3. Finally refresh package cache and install Edge browser:

After all, update the system package cache via command:

sudo apt update

And install the web browser:

sudo apt install microsoft-edge-stable

Once installed, search for and open it from activities overview screen and enjoy!

How to Remove Edge & its repository:

With the repository, it allows to receive updates for Edge using “Software Updater” utility. If you want to remove it, open terminal and run command to delete the source file:

sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/microsoft-edge.list

Also, remove the key file if you want:

sudo rm /usr/share/keyrings/microsoft.gpg

To remove the Edge web browser, run command:

sudo apt remove --autoremove microsoft-edge-stable

In News Microsoft Edge

Firefox 82 Released with Faster Page Loading, Picture-In-Picture Improvements

Last updated: October 20, 2020

Firefox web browser 82.0 was released today with improved picture-in-picture, faster page loading and start-up time.

Firefox 82.0 release highlights:

New look and position for the Picture-In-Picture button.
Picture-In-Picture now has a keyboard shortcut for Mac users.
Improve resource usage during video playback, battery life for Windows user.
20% faster when loading websites with flexbox-based layouts.
17% quicker when restoring a session.
10% quicker when opening new windows in Windows.
Explore new articles when you save a webpage to Pocket from the Firefox toolbar.
WebRender support on more Windows machines.
Various security fixes and more.