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Audacity Finally Adds Official Binary for Linux via Appimage

Last updated: July 4, 2021

By releasing version 3.0.3 RC1, Audacity digital audio editor finally adds official Linux binary support!

It’s the 64-bit Appimage package that runs in most Linux Distributions. Without installing, it’s a single executable that launches the software via double-click.

Other changes in Audacity 3.0.3 so far includes:

  • switch to 64-bit Windows binary, and drop Windows XP support.
  • Improved default spectrogram colors
  • Fix user interface display issue on HiDPI display in Linux.
  • Fix that font size scales incorrectly.
  • Fix crashes with Macros on files when the macro-output folder is in an unwriteable location
  • No error message when attempting to save to SMB drive
  • Fix Macros running on files can’t be cancelled

To get the Audacity Appimage, go to:

Download Audacity (Appimage)

Once you get it, add executable permission in file Properties dialog. Then click run to open the editor:

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Linux Kernel 5.13 Released! How to Install in Ubuntu 21.04

Last updated: June 28, 2021

Linux Kernel 5.13 was officially released. Linus Torvalds wrote on lkml:

So we had quite the calm week since rc7, and I see no reason to delay 5.13. The shortlog for the week is tiny, with just 88 non-merge commits (and a few of those are just reverts). It’s a fairly random mix of fixes, and being so small I’d just suggest people scan the appended shortlog for what happened.

Kernel 5.13 features include:

  • Initial and early support for Apple M1.
  • New “Landlock” Linux security module.
  • Initial graphics support for Alder Lake S.
  • AMD FreeSync HDMI support.
  • New Intel cooling driver
  • Realtek RTL8156 and RTL8153D support
  • New drivers support for Amazon’s Luna game controller.
  • Touchpad & keyboard support for recent Microsoft Surface laptops.

How to Install Linux Kernel 5.13:

The Ubuntu Mainline Kernel Archive provides the new kernel packages via DEB files.

For those prefer using a graphical tool, see this tool to install the latest Kernel.

To manually download the mainline kernel packages for Linux 5.13, go to the link button:

Select generic for common system, and lowlatency for a low latency system (e.g. for recording audio):

  1. linux-headers-5.13.0-xxxxxx_all.deb
  2. linux-headers-5.13.0-xxx-generic(/lowlatency)_xxx_amd64.deb
  3. linux-modules-5.13.0-xxx-generic(/lowlatency)_xxx_amd64.deb
  4. linux-image-xxx-5.13.0-xxx-generic(/lowlatency)_xxx_amd64.deb

Alternatively you can download and install the kernel binaries via terminal commands ( open terminal via Ctrl+Alt+T):

cd /tmp/

wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v5.13/amd64/linux-headers-5.13.0-051300_5.13.0-051300.202106272333_all.deb

wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v5.13/amd64/linux-headers-5.13.0-051300-generic_5.13.0-051300.202106272333_amd64.deb

wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v5.13/amd64/linux-image-unsigned-5.13.0-051300-generic_5.13.0-051300.202106272333_amd64.deb

wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v5.13/amd64/linux-modules-5.13.0-051300-generic_5.13.0-051300.202106272333_amd64.deb

sudo dpkg -i *.deb

Once installed, restart your computer and enjoy!

Uninstall Linux Kernel 5.13:

Restart your machine and select boot with the previous kernel in boot menu ‘Grub2 -> Advanced Option for Ubuntu’. Then run command to remove Linux Kernel 5.13:

sudo dpkg --purge linux-image-unsigned-5.13.0-051300-generic
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Firefox 89.0 Released with New Elegant UI Design

Last updated: June 2, 2021

Mozilla Firefox 89.0 was officially released today with the focus on redesigned and modernized user interface.

Firefox 89 has a simplified browser chrome and toolbar. It uses floating tab design with rounded corners for active tab. Less toolbar buttons present, and bookmarks, history and downloads are merged into single menu button.

The main menu content has been reorganized and prioritized. Menu items no longer have icons at beginning.

The new release also introduced new ‘Pocket’ icon in left side of the menu button. It allows to save any archive, video or page from Firefox. And it provides buttons to sign in/up pocket, so to view your saved content on any device any time.

Other changes in Firefox 89.0 include:

  • Native context menus on Mac OS with dark mode support.
  • Reduced number of alerts and messages, so you can browse with fewer distractions.
  • Update private browsing mode with even more privacy.
  • Smart Zoom support via double-tap with two fingers, or single finger on your Magic Mouse.
  • Various security and other fixes.
  • Event Timing API Support.

How to Get Firefox 89:

As usual, Ubuntu will publish the Firefox 89 packages through the security & updates repositories in next few days.
You can just wait until it being available to update in Software Updater:

Alternatively, see the release note and download the portable package from Firefox website:

Firefox 89 Release Note & Download
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Inkscape 1.1 Released! How to Install in Ubuntu 20.04 & Higher

Last updated: May 26, 2021

Inkscape, free open-source vector graphics editor, release new major version 1.1 a few days ago. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 21.04, Linux Mint 20.x.

Inkscape 1.1 features a new welcome screen with ability to choose canvas colors, keyboard shortcut style, and toggle dark mode.

By different tabs, it also shows you how to contribute, and options to open recent files, set size of documents.

The release also introduced a new display mode, outline overlay, made by Jabier Arraiza.

It displays a muted view (opacity) of your drawing behind the object outlines that are click-sensitive, so you can make sure everything is in order.

Other changes in Inkscape 1.1 include:

  • New “Command Palette”, open it by pressing ? on keyboard.
  • Revamped Dialog Docking System
  • Copy, cut and paste a selection of nodes with the Node tool
  • New ‘Export PNG Image’ dialog to export JPG, WebP and TIFF, optimized PNG.
  • New ‘Extension Manager’ in beta.

How to Install Inkscape 1.1 in Ubuntu:

The easiest way to install the editor is using the official Snap package.

Also, non-install Appimage is available in official download page. Download it, make executable via file’s “Properties -> Permissions” dialog, finally click run to launch the program.

For those prefer the classic apt method, Inkscape team has official Ubuntu PPAs.

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

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:inkscape.dev/stable

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

2. Then run command to install or upgrade the vector graphics editor:

sudo apt install inkscape

or upgrade it via Software Updater

Uninstall:

To remove the PPA repository, open Software & Updates and navigate to Other Software tab. Then remove the relevant repository line:

To remove Inkscape, either use Synaptic package manager or run command in terminal:

sudo apt remove --autoremove inkscape
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The Shutter Screenshot Tool Finally Ported to GTK3

Last updated: May 23, 2021

By releasing version 0.96, the feature-rich screenshot application is finally ported to GTK3, making first step to get back to Ubuntu universe repository.

Shutter 0.96 does no longer depends on goocanvas, Gnome wnck, GTK2 version of image viewer widget, unique and appindicator module. Instead, it now requires GTK3 version of image viewer widget, GooCanvas2, and libwnck-3.

The release also remove the option “Captures only a section of the window”. because it didn’t work with the way how modern Qt and Gtk were drawing their windows anyway.

There are also possible issues including:

  • Multiple screens might or might not be broken
  • HiDPI screens might do screenshot of a nested menu in a wrong place

Get Shutter 0.96:

At the moment of writing no binary package is available to install, but only source tarball which is available in the link below:

Shutter in Github

For Ubuntu and Linux Mint users who like this screenshot tool, keep an eye on linuxupring PPA and xtradeb PPA, both maintains most recent Shutter packages.

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Sublime Text 4 Released! How to Install it via Official Repository

Last updated: May 21, 2021

Sublime Text 4 was officially released a day ago. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 21.04, Ubuntu 20.04 via apt repository.

Sublime Text 4 (Build 4107) feature multi-select tabs. Press and hold Ctrl (or Shift), then you can select tabs to view them side by side.

And now it supports for auto-switching between dark and light themes to follow system appearance.

Other release highlights include:

  • Context-aware auto complete
  • ARM64 support for Linux and macOS (Apple Silicon)
  • Python 3.8 support for plugins
  • Built-in TypeScript, JSX and TSX support
  • GPU rendering, disabled by default in Windows and Linux.
  • Wayland support for Linux.

There are also tons of other changes, see the announcement for details.

How to Install Sublime Text 4 in Ubuntu:

Open terminal from system application menu, then run following commands one by one to install Sublime Text 4 from its official apt repository.

1.) Download and install the GPG key by running command:

wget -qO - https://download.sublimetext.com/sublimehq-pub.gpg | sudo apt-key add -

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

Make sure https is supported by running command:

sudo apt install apt-transport-https

2.) Add the official Sublime Text repository via command:

echo "deb https://download.sublimetext.com/ apt/stable/" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/sublime-text.list

3.) Finally refresh system package cache and install the text editor via commands:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install sublime-text

And you’ll receive future updates along with system updates through Software Updater (Update Manager).

How to Uninstall Sublime Text:

To remove the apt repository, launch Software & Updates and go to Other Software tab, there remove the repository line.

And to remove the Sublime Text editor, simply run command:

sudo apt remove --autoremove sublime-text
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Kdenlive 21.04.1 Released! How to Install it in Ubuntu 21.04, 20.04

Last updated: May 18, 2021

Kdenlive 21.04.1, the first update for the 21.04 release is out. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 21.04, Ubuntu 20.10, Ubuntu 20.04 via PPA.

The new release of KDE’s video editor contains mainly bug fixes and improvements. Changelog in the release include:

  • Invalidate preview render on subtitle actions.
  • Fix timecode validation on settings dialog.
  • Fix proxied clip cannot be dragged from monitor to timeline.
  • Fix incorrect speed cycling with j/l keys.
  • Ensure render widget is displayed again after being minimized.
  • Fix playback speed not reset on pause.
  • Update effect zones on effect deletion.
  • Render presets: load default values properly to ui.
  • Fix spacer tool not workin on single clips (without groups).
  • Improve naming of newely created profile. Commit.
  • Archiver: Fix more bugs and crashes. Commit.
  • Archiver: Block UI while job is running.
  • Archiver: Don’t miss lumas,… on “timline only” mode, prettify code.
  • Fix several archiving issues with mlt files.
  • Archive LUT files too.
  • Appimage: use mlt v6 branch.

Install Kdenlive 21.04.1 in Ubuntu via PPA:

The kdenlive team ppa has made the latest packages for Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 20.10, Ubuntu 21.04, Linux Mint 20.

1.) Add Ubuntu PPA:

Open ‘terminal’ from your system application menu, then 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. ) Install or Upgrade Kdenlive:

If an old version of kdenlive was installed, you can 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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Kodi Media Center 19.1 Released! How to Install in Ubuntu 21.04

Last updated: May 12, 2021

Kodi 19.1, the first update for the “Matrix” series, was released with various bug-fixes.

The new release of the media player and entertainment hub contains mainly bug-fixes. It fixed HDR metadata detection issue, playback of optical DVDs in Linux, and BD-J Blu-ray chapter skipping via remotes/keyboard.

System fonts and use fonts detection for ASS subtitles, as well as rendering of semi-transparent ASS subtitles on Wayland are now fixed in the release.

Kodi 19.1 also enabled filecaching by default for network filesystems, improved reliability for HTTP and NFS network filesystems, and added support for WS-Discovery protocol to locate SMB servers and browse shared folders via SMBv3.

Other changes in the release include:

  • Fixed media flagging for DVD/BluRay
  • Fixed incorrect HDR metadata
  • Fixed green screen when playing the menu of some DVDs
  • See the release note for more.

How to Install Kodi 19.1 in Ubuntu:

The official Kodi PPA has made the packages for all current Ubuntu releases including Ubuntu 21.04.

Open terminal either from system app launcher or by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard. When it opens, do following steps one by one.

1. Add Kodi PPA.

To add the official Kodi PPA, run command in terminal:

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

Type user password when it asks, with no asterisk feedback, and hit Enter to continue.

2. Install / Update Kodi.

If you’re now running the stock version of Kodi package in Ubuntu, the Software Updater will refused to update it. So it’s recommended to use the command below to install or update the media player.

Firstly refresh system package cache, if you’re on Ubuntu 18.04, via command:

sudo apt update

Then install Kodi via command:

sudo apt install kodi

Once installed Kodi, either launch it from system app launcher or log out and select “Kodi” session to login.

How to Downgrade:

You can purge the Ubuntu PPA as well as downgrade Kodi to the stock version available in Ubuntu main repositories. To do so, run command:

sudo apt install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:team-xbmc/ppa
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HP Printer Driver HPLIP 3.21.4 Released with HP Envy 6400 Support

Last updated: May 24, 2021

HP printer drivers for Linux, HPLIP, released version 3.21.4 today with new devices and Linux distros support.

HPLIP 3.21.4 is a small release adds HP Envy 6400 series printers support, and adds new systems LinuxMint 20.1, Debian 10.8 support. Ubuntu 21.04 is not yet supported though it has been released for a few weeks.

And it does not install in Ubuntu 20.04 in my case, though it works in Ubuntu 20.10 and Ubuntu 18.04.

Download & Install HPLIP 3.21.4:

HPLIP packages are hosted on sourceforge.net, go to link below and download the “hplip-3.21.4.run” package:

Download HPLIP (.run)

Then open Downloads folder in file manager, right-click on blank area and select “Open in Terminal”.

When terminal opens, firstly run command to add executable permission to the file:

chmod +x hplip-3.21.4.run

Then run it to start installing the driver:

./hplip-3.21.4.run

Answer some questions in terminal outputs and done.

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KeePass 2.48 Released with KDBX 4.1 File Format Support [Ubuntu PPA]

Last updated: May 9, 2021

KeePass password manager released version 2.48 a few days ago. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 21.04, Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 18.04 via PPA.

KeePass 2.48 introduces version 4.1 of the KDBX file format, which supports various new features, including:

  • group tags support,
  • ability to disable password quality estimation
  • remember the previous parent group when moving an entry/group into a different group
  • custom icons now have names and last modification or deletion times
  • save last modification time for custom date items.

Other changes include:

  • Add command ‘Move to Previous Parent Group’
  • Add support for loading images with Exif orientation tags.
  • Enhanced the LastPass import module to support CSV files created by the latest versions.
  • Enhanced the nPassword import module to import group tags.
  • Various user interface improvements.

How to Install KeePass 2.48 in Ubuntu via PPA:

KeePass2 is still available to install via an Ubuntu PPA. So far, the PPA supports for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 20.10, and Ubuntu 21.04.

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

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/keepass2

2.) Then refresh system package cache via command:

sudo apt update

3.) Finally install the mono based password safe package:

sudo apt install keepass2

Uninstall KeePass2:

To remove the software package, run command in terminal:

sudo apt remove --autoremove keepass2

And remove the Ubuntu PPA via command:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/keepass2
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