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Archives For November 30, 1999

Ksnip Screenshot Tool 1.8.0 Released as Good Alternative to Shutter

Last updated: December 17, 2020

Ksnip screenshot tool released version 1.8.0 a few days ago with many great new features and improvements, making it more powerful.

Ksnip is a free open-source Qt based screenshot tool with editing features. It runs in Window, Mac OS, and Linux (both X and Wayland). As Shutter is not in active development, it’s getting more and more issues due to old Gnome dependency libraries. And Ksnip is a great alternative.

Ksnip 1.8.0 added ability to pin screenshots in frameless windows that stay in foreground. The feature was ported from Flameshot. Without saving a screenshot, the app “Options” menu offers “Pin” option to set it in foreground, and it will disappear with a double click on it.

The new release also added new and improved editing tools, including:

  • Add pixelate image area tool
  • Zoom in and out
  • Add window effects: Drop shawdow, Grayscale, Border
  • Add numeric pointer with arrow annotation item.
  • Add interface for adding custom tab context menu actions.
  • Add text pointer annotation item.
  • Add text pointer with arrow annotation item.
  • Add option to automatically switching to select tool after drawing item.
  • Edit Text box with double click.
  • Resize elements while keeping aspect ratio.

There are also improved screenshot tabs including:

  • Add save and save as options to context menu of a screenshot tab.
  • Add open directory, copy path to clipboard in saved tabs’ context menu.
  • Add option to delete saved images both from Edit menu or tab context menu.
  • Allow rename saved screenshot images both from Edit menu or tab context menu.

Other features include:

  • Add unity / integration tests.
  • Add brew cask package for Mac uses love homebrew.
  • Add image quality option in settings page.
  • Add support for cross-platform wayland screenshots using xdg-desktop-portal.
  • Add support for loading image from stdin.
  • Add screenshot options as application actions to desktop file. So that you can add Ksnip to desktop keyboard shortcuts to launch a screen, window, or area shot.
  • Make hiding main window during screenshot optional.
  • Open several files at once in tabs.
  • Allow modifying selected rectangle before making screenshot.
  • Option to keep main window hidden after a taking screenshot.
  • Add new options in system tray indicator menu.
  • Upload multiple stickers at once.
  • Allow removing imgur account.
  • Bug-fixes and other improvements.

Download / Install Ksnip:

The software offers official binary packages in the github releases page:

Download Ksnip

For Ubuntu Linux, you can grab the .appimage package, make it executable in file “Properties” window, and finally right-click and select run it to launch the tool.

You can also download the .deb package. And install it either via Gdebi package installer, or by running command in terminal:

sudo apt install ./Downloads/ksnip-1.8.0.deb

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Mozilla Firefox 84.0 Released with Native Apple Silicon Support

Last updated: December 16, 2020

Mozilla Firefox web browser 84.0 now is available to download.

Firefox 84 is a big release. It comes with WebRender enabled by default in Linux Gnome on X for faster page rendering. For Wayland session, you can manually enable the feature in about:config page, search and enable gfx.webrender.all.

The new browser release also includes native support for Apple Silicon hardware, the M1 processor in new versions of the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac mini.

Other features in Firefox 84.0 include:

  • The final release to support Adobe Flash.
  • Search shortcuts in the address bar.
  • Security fixes and more.

How to Get Firefox 84.0 in Ubuntu:

Ubuntu keeps publishing the latest Firefox packages through the main Ubuntu security & updates repositories. Just wait and Firefox 84.0 will be available to update for all current Ubuntu releases in next a few days.

If you can’t wait, Mozilla offers official Linux portable packages, in which you can run the executable file to launch Firefox. And you can download it from the link below:

Firefox FTP Download Page

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How to Install Kdenlive Video Editor 20.12 in Ubuntu 20.04, 20.10

Last updated: April 24, 2024

KDE announced its December 2020 apps update including Kdenlive 20.12 two days ago. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu via PPA.

Kdenlive 20.12 is a big release with many new features, stability improvements, various mix and transition fixes. While it’s not officially announced at the moment in the Kdenlive.org, here are some changes according to KDE’s announcement:

  • Allow moving subtitle through subtitle widget.
  • Add shortcut in/out/delete buttons to subtitle widget.
  • Add option to export subtitle file.
  • Add menu for subtitle clips.
  • Add subtitle import function
  • Add function to delete all subtitles from subtitle model.
  • Add timeline ruler menu item to create subtitle clip.
  • Add button in timeline toolbar to enable subtitle editing.
  • Add timeline tractor to Subtitle Model to attach subtitle filter.
  • Port to QtWebEngineWidgets.
  • Added multiple track deletion feature.
  • Qtcrop effect: make radius animated.
  • Add method to easily reload a custom effect.
  • Add comments feature in custom effects.
  • Make start and end position of subtitle editable.
  • Add GPU profiles provided by Constantin Aanicai.
  • Add MLT’s Pillar Echo effect.
  • Add signals and slot to subtitle model.
  • Add class to handle subtitles definition and comparison.
  • Add SSA Parser.
  • Add srt parser to model.
  • Rewrite audio thumbnails to only use FFmpeg’s data and optimize memory usage on creation.
  • Add avfilter eq filter, allows to adjust image brightness, contrast, saturation, gamma all in one effect.
  • Update Audio, Editing and Color layouts.
  • Add Effects layout.
  • Improve audiomixer layout.

How to Install Kdenlive 20.12 in Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 20.10:

The kdenlive team ppa has built the latest packages for Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 20.10, Linux Mint 20.

1.) Open ‘terminal’ from your system application menu, and run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:kdenlive/kdenlive-stable

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

2. ) If an old version of kdenlive was installed, upgrade it via Update Manager:

Or simply run command in terminal to install the video editor:

sudo apt install kdenlive

NOTE for non-KDE users, Kdenlive will be installed along with a large list of KDE libraries.

Uninstall:

To purge the PPA as well as downgrade Kdenlive package, run command in terminal:

sudo apt install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:kdenlive/kdenlive-stable

To remove the PPA only, run command:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:kdenlive/kdenlive-stable

And to remove Kdenlive, run command:

sudo apt remove --autoremove kdenlive kdenlive-data
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Python 3.9.1 Released with macOS 11 Big Sur Support

Last updated: December 10, 2020

The Python programming language 3.9.1 was released a few days ago as the first maintenance release of Python 3.9.

Python 3.9.1 comes with 282 changes since 3.9.0. It is the first version to support macOS 11 Big Sur. With Xcode 11 and later it is now possible to build “Universal 2” binaries which work on Apple Silicon. See the changelog for more.

How to Install Python 3.9.1 in Ubuntu:

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 “deadsnakes” team PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:deadsnakes/ppa

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

2.) Then run commands to refresh system package cache, and install Python 3.9:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install python3.9

3.) Once successfully installed, check your system Python versions (python –version):

Uninstall:

To uninstall the Python3.9 packages, run command:

sudo apt remove --autoremove python3.9 python3.9-minimal

To remove the Deadsnakes PPA, launch Software & Updates and go to Other Software tab, then remove the repository line and close the window.

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Vivaldi Browser 3.5 Released with Sharing via QR Code

Last updated: December 9, 2020

Vivaldi web browser 3.5 was released a day ago with improved tabs and media playback, and support for sharing URL via QR code.

Vivaldi 3.5 release highlights:

  • More tabs management, e.g., open a new tab in the background by default, clone tab in the background.
  • Add Widevine certificate keys to get better experience on Amazon Prime HD, Spotify, Disney+, Peacock TV, etc.
  • Share URL with QR code via a small button in the Address Field, when enabled.
  • Enable shortcuts in context menus
  • Single key shortcut improvements.
  • Make Google components optional: Hangouts, Cast, Cloud Print
  • Accept-language setting
  • Upgrade to Chromium 87.0.4280.88, and more.

How to Install Vivaldi 3.5 in Ubuntu:

The official Ubuntu .DEB package is available to download at the link below:

Download Vivaldi (DEB)

Grab the deb matches your OS, then install it via either Ubuntu Software install or Gdebi package installer. Or run command in terminal:

sudo apt install ./Downloads/vivaldi-stable*.deb

Vivaldi also has an official apt repository, with it you can install the browser and get future updates through Software Updater utility.

Open terminal either via Ctrl+Alt+T keyboard shortcut or by searching for terminal from application menu. When it opens, run following commands one by one:

1. Download and install the repository key:

wget -qO- https://repo.vivaldi.com/archive/linux_signing_key.pub | sudo apt-key add -

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

2. Add Vivaldi repository via command:

sudo add-apt-repository 'deb https://repo.vivaldi.com/archive/deb/ stable main'

3. Finally check updates and install the web browser via command:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install vivaldi-stable

Or upgrade from an old version via Software Updater utility.

(Optional): To remove Vivaldi apt repository from you system, launch Software & Updates and navigate to Other Software tab.

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HPLIP 3.20.11 Released with Ubuntu 20.10 / Debian 10.6 Support

Last updated: December 5, 2020

HP Linux Imaging and Printing

HPLIP, HP developed printer and scanner drivers for Linux, released version 3.20.11 a few days ago.

Different to previous releases, HPLIP 3.20.11 does not include new HP printers support. It only adds support for Ubuntu 20.10 and Debian 10.6. And it fixed usb print issue for ipp supported printers for Ubutnu 20.04, Ubuntu 20.10 and Linux Mint 20.

There are also known issues that ppd browsing is failing sometimes while doing hp-setup in Ubuntu 20.10. Basically few times it is failing to fetch ppd list from cups server. So you might face the same issue while testing. And hp-toolbox will not work for ippusbxd printers in Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 20.10 and LinuxMint 20.

And not sure if it’s only me or for everyone, while it works on Ubuntu 20.10, HPLIP 3.20.11 does not install on my Ubuntu 20.04 since it tries to install the old python-pyqt5 as dependency library.

How to Get HPLIP 3.20.1 in Ubuntu:

1. To install the software, download the package “hplip-3.20.11.run” from the link below:

HPLIP Download Page

2. Then open terminal either via Ctrl+Alt+T or by searching for “terminal” from app launcher. When it opens, run command to give executable permission:

chmod +x ~/Downloads/hplip-3.20.11.run

3. Finally run command to start installing the driver:

./Downloads/hplip-3.20.11.run

Follow the terminal output and answer some questions. If everything goes OK, plug or re-plug your HP devices and enjoy!

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Font Manager Now Supports Downloading & Installing Google Web Fonts

Last updated: April 24, 2024

Want to install Google Fonts in Ubuntu? The GTK+ Font Manager now adds support for Google Fonts integration.

Font Manager is a simple font management tool for GTK+ desktop environment. By releasing version 0.8.0, it adds support for downloading and managing Google Web Fonts, so that you can use Google Fonts for off-line use on your desktop.

Font Manager 0.8 changelog:

  • Fix FTBFS with Vala 0.50+
  • Add Google Fonts integration via G button on header bar.
  • Require WebKitGtk and libsoup
  • Allow saving compare lists contents
  • Add GNOME Shell search provider
  • Update Unicode data to 13.0
  • Update vendor data

How to Install Font Manager 0.8.0 in Ubuntu 20.04:

The software has an official staging PPA contains the latest packages for Ubuntu 20.04 and Ubuntu 20.10.

1. Open terminal from your system application launcher. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:font-manager/staging

Type user password (no asterisk feedback) for sudo prompts and hit Enter to continue.

2. Then upgrade the font manager, if an old version was installed, via Software Updater. Or run command in terminal to install it:

sudo apt install font-manager

Uninstall Font Manager

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

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:font-manager/staging

And remove the font manager if you want via command:

sudo apt remove font-manager font-manager-common
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GNU Octave 6.1 Released with Improvements / New Functions

Last updated: November 30, 2020

GNU Octave 6.1 was released a few days ago with numerous improvements, bug-fixes, and a list of new functions.

Changes in Octave 6.1 include:

  • New sorting option "stable" for intersect, setdiff, setxor, union, and unique functions.
  • Support for cookies to enable RESTful communication with the web service.
  • System web browser can be opened by web function.
  • Numerical integration has been improved.
  • New format command options: uppercase and lowercase (default).
  • Deprecated Qt4 support.
  • Completely rewritten of the legend function.
  • Updated the axis function and many other graphics backend improvements.
  • matlab compatibility improvements.
  • Remove deprecated functions and properties.
  • Add a list of new functions.

How to Get Octave in Ubuntu:

There’s no PPA repository contains the new release package at the moment of writing.

Before the official Snap package and the community maintained Flatpak package publish the new package, you can download & build GNU Octave from the source tarball:

Download Octave

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Blender 2.91 Released with Better Cloth Sculpting, Improved Animation Tools

Last updated: November 26, 2020

Blender 2.79

Blender 2.91 was released on Wednesday as the fourth major release in 2020. It features the user experience improvements, powerful new booleans, better cloth sculpting with support for collisions, volume objects modifiers, improved animation tools and more.

Changes in Blender 2.91 include:

  • Introduce collision support for the sculpt cloth brush and filter.
  • New Sculpt Trim tool.
  • Curve and text objects now support for custom bevel profiles
  • New modifier for volume objects allows to dynamically convert them into a mesh, ideal for stylized fluids.
  • Convert any mesh into a volume and combine it with the new Volume Displace modifier.
  • Convert images into Grease Pencil objects with just one click!
  • New Holdout option in materials allows to paint holes in strokes and filled areas.
  • Property search, Fuzzy search support.
  • Colors, drag & drop supports in outliner.
  • Animation curves can now become much snappier.
  • Once click to convert proxy objects into overrides.
  • And much more other changes, see the release note.

How to Install Blender 2.91 in Ubuntu:

Blender offers official Ubuntu binary via Snap package, which can be installed directly from Ubuntu Software.

Blender also available as universal Flatpak package, which can be installed from flathub.org repository.

For those prefer installing .deb package via apt, there’s a well trusted Ubuntu PPA available though it’s not updated to v2.91 at the moment of writing.

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qBittorrent 4.3.1 Released, How to Install in Ubuntu via PPA

Last updated: November 25, 2020

qBittorrent

The first update for qBittorrent 4.3 series was released today with some new features, bug-fixes, and web UI changes.

Changes in qBittorrent 4.3.1 include:

  • Allow progress bar styling from custom themes.
  • Allow adding torrents using “Paste” key sequence.
  • Add Latgalian translation.
  • Avoid settings being reset via WebAPI.
  • WEBUI: Fix the issue that IPv6 address can’t be banned.
  • Update dutch.nsi for Windows.
  • Update .desktop shortcut file translations for Linux.
  • And various bug-fixes.

How to Install qBittorrent via PPA:

The official qBittorrent PPA has built the new release packages for Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 20.04, and derivatives.

1. To add the PPA, open terminal by either pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard or searching for “Terminal” from application menu. When it opens, run command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:qbittorrent-team/qbittorrent-stable

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

2. If an old version was installed on your system, upgrade it via Software Updater,

upgrade qBittorrent

or run following commands to install /upgrade qBittorrent in terminal:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install qbittorrent

Uninstall:

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

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:qbittorrent-team/qbittorrent-stable

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

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove qbittorrent
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