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System Cleaner BleachBit 4.0.0 Released with Python 3 Port

Last updated: April 21, 2020

Free open-source system cleaning tool BleachBit 4.0.0 was released a few days ago. Now it’s running on Python 3 instead of Python 2.

Changes in BleachBit 4.0.0 include:

  • Add cleaner for Discord.
  • Clean more of Google Chrome: IndexDB.
  • Clean more of Firefox: cookies, history.
  • Clean much more of Opera.
  • Clean much more of gPodder.
  • Improve responsiveness of application window while cleaning.
  • Fix cleaning VLC.
  • Support for Python 3.
  • Clean dnf autoremove
  • Other improvements and many bug-fixes.

Install BleachBit 4.0.0 in Ubuntu:

While BleachBit in Ubuntu universe repositories is old. You can download the latest version from the link below:

Grab the .deb for your Ubuntu edition, Ubuntu 20.04 is not supported at the moment, then click install via Ubuntu Software or Gdebi.

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Audacious Audio Player 4.0.2 Released with Qt UI Fixes [Ubuntu PPA]

Last updated: April 16, 2020

The second bug-fix release for Audacious 4.0 was released a day ago. Here’s how to install it in all current Ubuntu releases.

While the first bug-fix release brings KDE Plasma 5.18 compatibility, Audacious audio player 4.0.2 includes mainly bug fixes and tweaks for the Qt interface:

  • Fixed a regression where the Enter key did not work in the playlist.
  • Fixed the seek bar changing width as the time counter increments.
  • Fixed the title bar getting stuck showing “Buffering”.
  • Added a workaround to ensure that the toolbar is not hidden on startup.
  • Fixed the Composer field not being saved when updating ID3v2 tags.

How to Install Audacious 4.0.2 in Ubuntu:

The unofficial PPA contains the latest packages for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 19.10, and Ubuntu 20.04.

1. Open terminal by either pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard or searching for ‘terminal’ from application menu. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/apps

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

2. Then run commands one by one in terminal to install or upgrade the audio player:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install audacious audacious-plugins

Uninstall:

The PPA repository also contains some other applications. You may remove the PPA either by going to Software & Updates utility -> Other Software tab, or by running command in terminal:

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

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

sudo apt remove --autoremove audacious audacious-plugins
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Celluloid (Formerly Gnome MPV) 0.19 Released [Ubuntu PPA]

Last updated: April 11, 2020

Celluloid, a GTK+ frontend for mpv formerly called Gnome MPV, released version 0.19 a few days ago. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 19.10, and Ubuntu 20.04.

Celluloid 0.19 release highlights include:

  • Retain window maximization state across sessions.
  • Retain loop state across sessions.
  • Implement playlist search.
  • Update the list of shortcuts in Keyboard Shortcuts dialog.
  • Deprecate --mpv-options.
  • Add support for configuring dead zone
  • Make window sizing work correctly with HiDPI displays.
  • Translation updates and other changes.

How to Install Celluloid in Ubuntu via PPA:

Celluloid media player is available to install via Flatpak package in Flathub repository.

For those prefer native Ubuntu .deb package, the formerly Gnome MPV PPA now maintains the Celluloid packages for Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 19.10, and Ubuntu 20.04.

1.) Open terminal either by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard or by searching for ‘terminal’ from application menu. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:xuzhen666/gnome-mpv

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

2.) Then install the MPV frontend via command:

sudo apt install celluloid

For Ubuntu derivatives, you may need to run sudo apt update to refresh package cache first.

Uninstall Celluloid:

To remove the media player, open terminal and run command:

sudo apt remove celluloid

And remove the PPA repository via command:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:xuzhen666/gnome-mpv
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PyCharm IDE 2020.1 Released with Interactive Rebasing

Last updated: April 9, 2020

PyCharm IDE 2020.1 was released a day ago as the first major release in 2020. The new version features interactive rebasing, smarter debugging, and JetBrains Mono font.

PyCharm 2020.1 release highlights:

  • Interactive Rebasing: Commits can get messy, which is why you need to be able to rebase your branch. Now, PyCharm allows you to do so visually and with unprecedented ease.
  • Smarter Debugging: PyCharm’s debugger now makes it easy to see what’s happening in the middle of a complex statement. When stepping in, the debugger will ask you exactly what part of the statement you want to investigate further.
  • JetBrains Mono: PyCharm helps you read your code by navigating your project effectively, and now also by presenting your code in a font designed specifically for it.
  • Django Template Imports: PyCharm Professional Edition makes life easy for web developers by offering code completion (and debugging) in Django templates. We’ve made a couple improvements on this front: auto import for custom tags and better completion.

How to Install PyCharm 2020.1 in Ubuntu:

Jetbrains offers official Snap package for Linux desktop, which runs in sandbox and always updated.

For Ubuntu 18.04 and higher, simply open Ubuntu Software, search for and install pycharm packages:

For those prefer native .deb package, keep an eye on the unofficial PPA though it’s not updated at the moment of writing.

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GTK+ eBook Reader Foliate 2.0.0 Released!

Last updated: April 8, 2020

Modern new GTK eBook reader Foliate 2.0.0 was released a few days ago with great new features and improvements.

Foliate 2.0.0 features new selection popover, redesigned interface which works better with smaller screen. The headerbar and progress bar now auto-hide.

Other changes include:

  • E-reader style navigation.
  • A new location popover (Ctrl + L).
  • A new traditional menubar, which may be displayed depending on the desktop environment
  • Ability to zoom in and zoom out.
  • Continuous scrolling layout.
  • New built-in themes.
  • Ability to select text across pages.
  • Option to use a traditional titlebar and menubar
  • And much more other changes. See the release note.

How to Install Foliate 2.0.0 in Ubuntu:

The software offers native Ubuntu .deb package available to download at the link below:

Grab the package, then either double-click to install it, or open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run command:

sudo dpkg -i ~/Downloads/com.github.johnfactotum.foliate_*.deb

Once installed, launch the software from your system application menu and enjoy!

(Optional) To remove the software, simply run command in terminal:

sudo apt remove --auto-remove foliate

Foliate is also available via Flatpak and Snap (both runs in sandbox) which can be directly installed from Ubuntu Software.

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Mozilla Firefox 75.0 Released with Flatpak Support

Last updated: April 7, 2020

Mozilla Firefox 75.0 was released today. Ubuntu security & updates repositories has published the packages for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, and Ubuntu 19.10.

Mozilla Firefox 75.0 comes with revamped address bar, which brings clean search experience. On Linux, the behavior when clicking on the Address Bar and the Search Bar changes: a single click selects all without primary selection, a double click selects a word, and a triple click selects all with primary selection.

The new release also brings official Flatpak support, improves HTTPS compatibility, and various security fixes. See release note for details.

Install Firefox 75 in Ubuntu:

For all current Ubuntu releases and derivatives, Firefox 75.0 has been made into the security & updates repositories.

Simply launch Software Updater (Update manager) and install available package updates.

For Ubuntu 20.04, Firefox 75.0 package now is available as pre-release updates for testing. It will go stable soon.

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How to Upgrade Ubuntu 18.04 to Ubuntu 20.04 Beta

Last updated: April 4, 2020

The Beta release of Ubuntu 20.04 LTS is now available to download, and/or upgrade from an old Ubuntu edition.

Ubuntu 20.04 is a Long Term Support release with 5-year support. It’s scheduled to be officially released on April 23rd.

The new LTS features:

  • Linux 5.4 Kernel.
  • Gnome 3.36.
  • New dark mode setting.
  • Show computer’s vendor logo on startup.
  • WireGuard Support out of the box.
  • And WiFi (RTL8723DE) works out of the box in my HP laptop

Download / Upgrade to Ubuntu 20.04:

The 64-bit desktop and sever images are available to download at the link below:

Though I would recommend to do a fresh install of the new LTS, you can now upgrade to Ubuntu 20.04 beta (then upgrade to final from beta) directly from Ubuntu 18.04 and or Ubuntu 19.10.

1.) First make backup of all your important data.

2.) Disable all third-party PPAs (Software & Updates -> Other Software)

3.) open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run command to install system updates.

sudo apt update

sudo apt upgrade

You may need to restart to apply the updates.

4.) Finally run command and click “Upgrade” to get started.

sudo update-manager -d

If you’re running on Ubuntu server without an UI, run sudo do-release-upgrade -d instead.

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QQ for Linux 2.0 Beta2 Released with Stability Improvements

Last updated: April 2, 2020

QQ for Linux, the popular instant messaging apps developed by Tencent, released the second Beta on April Fools’ Day.

The development of QQ on Linux is quite slow. It has been 5 months since the last release. QQ for Linux 2.0 Beta 2 features:

  • Stability improvements.
  • Group chat support.

The new beta now is much more stable than the first release, though it so far only supports for sending texts, emoji, files, and taking screenshots.

If you’re looking for QQ Linux package with full (or most) functionality, I’d recommend Deepin Wine QQ, or community build QQ Flatpak package.

For testing purpose, you may download QQ for Linux (64-bit) at the link below:

Simply double-click the package to install it via Ubuntu Software and enjoy!

(Optional) To remove the IM, simply open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run command:

sudo apt remove linuxqq
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Fre:ac Audio Converter 1.1 Released with Dark Mode Support

Last updated: April 1, 2020

Fre:ac audio converter 1.1 was released a few days ago. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 18.04 and higher.

Fre:ac 1.1 is a new major release with tons of new features. Highlights include:

  • Official Linux, Mac OS, and 64-bit Windows binaries.
  • Support for dark mode on Windows and macOS
  • A reworked conversion engine with support for multi-threading and parallel processing
  • An integrated tag editor with support for cover images
  • An extension for simultaneous output to multiple formats
  • Support for new codecs including Opus, Apple Lossless, Monkey’s Audio, WavPack and others
  • Support for DSP filters and lossless file verification
  • Support for multi-channel audio
  • Support for managing multiple configurations
  • Support for writing log files

How to Install Fre:ac 1.1 in Ubuntu:

For Ubuntu 18.04 and higher, simply search for and install freac snap package (runs in sandbox) via Ubuntu Software:

For Ubuntu 16.04, the official .AppImage is available to download in github releases page:

Grab the .appimage, i686 for 32-bit os and x86_64 for 64-bit os, then make it executable via file Properties -> Permissions -> ‘Allow executing file as program’, and finally run it to launch the audio converter.

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How to Install Stellarium 0.20.0 in Ubuntu 20.04, 18.04

Last updated: March 31, 2020

Free-software planetarium Stellarium 0.20.0 was released a few days ago. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 19.10, and Ubuntu 20.04.

Stellarium 0.20.0 brings GUI refactoring and updating, code refactoring (related to Solar system), and many improvements in the code of plugins.

Changes in the release include:

  • Added Almagest skyculture
  • Added support INDIGO for Telescope Control plugin
  • Added displaying last updated TLE for users
  • Added a SIMBAD lookup name query to the Search Dialog
  • Added Cross-origin (CORS) support to Remote Control plugin
  • Slightly improves rendering of Saturn viewed from Pan
  • Allows arbitrary viewpoints by keyboard action
  • Added new nomenclature items
  • Added new type of planetary feature
  • Added German set of navigational stars
  • Added comet C/2019 Y4 (ATLAS) as potential superbright comet (a Great Comet)

There are also tons of other new features and bug-fixes. See release note for details.

How to Install Stellarium 0.20.0 in Ubuntu:

1. Open terminal either by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard or by searching ‘terminal’ from application menu. When it opens, run command to add the official PPA:

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

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

2. Then either upgrade Stellarium from an old version with Software Updater utility:

Or run following commands to install or upgrade the software from terminal:

sudo apt update

sudo apt 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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