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Lightweight Media Player Parole 1.0.5 Released! (How to Install)

Last updated: November 16, 2019

The fifth bug-fix release for the lightweight Parole media play 1.0 series was released a day ago. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 19.04, and Ubuntu 19.10.

Parole is a simple media player for Xfce desktop that is based on the GStreamer framework, and designed with simplicity, speed and resource usage in mind.

Parole 1.0.5 is a small release with translation updates and following bug-fixes:

  • Fix creation cleanup of thumbnails
  • Fix volume hotkeys in fullscreen
  • Fix compiler warnings

How to Install Parole 1.0.5 in Ubuntu:

The unofficial PPA has made the new release packages for Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 19.04, and Ubuntu 19.10.

1. Open terminal either via Ctrl+Alt+T or by searching for “Terminal” from application menu. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/apps

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

2. Then either upgrade the media player via Software Updater utility:

or run following commands to install / upgrade it:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install parole

For those who don’t want to add PPA, grab the .deb package from HERE.

Uninstall:

You can 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/apps

To remove Parole media player, either use Ubuntu Software or run command:

sudo apt remove --auto-remove parole
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Brave Browser 1.0 Released! How to Install in Ubuntu 18.04

Last updated: November 15, 2019

Brave web browser 1.0 stable was finally released. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 19.04, and Ubuntu 19.10.

Brave is an open-source Chromium based web browser features faster page loading speed, and blocks ads and trackers by default.

Brave 1.0 was announced 2 days go. And here’s how to install it via the official apt repository.

1.) Open terminal either from application menu or by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard. When it opens, run command to make sure curl is installed:

sudo apt install apt-transport-https curl

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

2.) Download and add the repository key via command:

curl -s https://brave-browser-apt-release.s3.brave.com/brave-core.asc | sudo apt-key add -

3.) Add the official brave apt repository (64-bit support only):

sudo sh -c 'echo "deb [arch=amd64] https://brave-browser-apt-release.s3.brave.com $(lsb_release -sc) main" >> /etc/apt/sources.list.d/brave.list'

NOTE for Linux Mint 19.x, you have to replace $(lsb_release -sc) in the code with bionic (or xenial for Linux Mint 18.x).

4.) Finally refresh package cache and install the web browser via command:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install brave-browser

Uninstall:

To remove the Brave web browser, run command in terminal:

sudo apt remove --autoremove brave-browser

And remove the apt repository via Software & Updates -> Other Software:

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Opera Browser 65 Released with Redesigned Address Bar

Last updated: November 14, 2019

Opera web browser 65 was released a day ago with redesigned address bar, improved tracker blocker, and new bookmarks panel.

Opera Browser 65 release highlights:

  • Display the trackers Opera is blocking.
  • Redesigned address bar:
    • current webpage is dimmed while typing in address bar.
    • website titles displayed first, followed by hyperlinks in dropdown suggests
    • display website favicon icon in dropdown layout.
  • New bookmarks panel via the heart icon in the sidebar.

How to Install Opera 65 in Ubuntu:

The Opera team offers snap package (runs in sandbox), available to install in Ubuntu Software:

Also the native Ubuntu .deb package is available for downloading at the link below:

Grab the .deb package, and double-click to install it.

If you installed Opera via the .deb package, you may also add the official apt repository via following steps to receive future software updates.

1. Open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run command to add the opera repository:

sudo sh -c 'echo "deb http://deb.opera.com/opera-stable/ stable non-free" >> /etc/apt/sources.list.d/opera.list'

2. Get the key:

wget -O - http://deb.opera.com/archive.key | sudo apt-key add -

Finally either install Opera via following command or upgrade the browser via Software Updater:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install opera-stable

Uninstall:

For the Opera snap package, simply remove it from Ubuntu Software.

For the Opera apt repository, launch Software & Updates and navigate to Other Software tab.

To remove traditional opera package, either use your system package manager or run command in terminal:

sudo apt remove --autoremove opera-stable
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digiKam Image Organizer 6.4.0 Released with 14 New Plugins

Last updated: November 12, 2019

The free and open-source digiKam image organizer and tag editor released version 6.4.0 a few days ago with extended DPlugins interface.

digiKam 6.4.0 release highlights:

  • 14 new plugins.
  • support native image loader as plugins instead to use hard-coded loader.
  • support HEIF image format as native.
  • RAW import tool as plugin.
  • Image editor clone tool plugin
  • For more, see the release note.

Download DigiKam 6.4.0

There’s no PPA repository, snap package (in test stage), or flatpak package for the latest DigiKam.

So far there’s only Appimage available to make it easy to run DigiKam in Ubuntu.

  • Download the i386.appimage (for 32-bit) or x86_64.appimage (for 64-bit)
  • Right-click and go to file’s Properties dialog, and check the box says ‘allow executing file as program’ in Permissions tab.
  • Finally run the appimage to launch digiKam.

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Gscan2PDF 2.6.0 Released with import-all Option

Last updated: November 11, 2019

Gscan2pdf, a graphical tool to produce PDF / DjVu from scanned document, released version 2.6.0 a day ago. Here’s how to install it in all current Ubuntu releases.

Gscan2pdf 2.6.0 is a small release. It brings --import-all command line option to imports all pages of the specified file or files. Other changes include:

  • New rotate 180° icon.
  • Import document metadata when opening PDF or DjVu files.
  • Increment/decrement date on save dialog with +/- keys.
  • Fixed reload-recursion bug triggered by unusual environment
  • Some crash fixes, and updated translations.

How to Install gscan2pdf 2.6.0 in Ubuntu:

The official Gscan2PDF PPA has made the new release packages for all current Ubuntu releases, and their derivatives, including Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 19.04, Ubuntu 19.10, Linux Mint 18.x and 19.x

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:jeffreyratcliffe/ppa

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

2. For those who have a previous release installed, upgrade it through Software Updater:

Or run following command in terminal to install or upgrade the software:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install gscan2pdf

How to Remove:

To remove gscan2pdf, either use your system package manager or run command:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove gscan2pdf

And the PPA can be removed via Software & Updates utility, under Other Software tab.

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Celluloid 0.18 (Formerly Gnome MPV) Released! [How to Install]

Last updated: November 6, 2019

Celluloid 0.18, formerly known as Gnome MPV, was released today. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 19.04, and Ubuntu 19.10.

Celluloid is a simple GTK+ frontend for mpv media player. It was called Gnome MPV until version 0.16. The latest version 0.18 features:

  • Ability to show / hide window decorations via mpv option --border
  • New menu item for opening Discs
  • Stability fixes for the latest MPV 0.30.
  • Block cursor autohide when volume popup opened in windowed mode
  • And new translations.

How to Install Celluloid in Ubuntu:

You can install the media player easily via the official Flatpak (runs in sandbox) package in Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 19.04, and Ubuntu 19.10

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. Paste below command and run to install flatpak framework:

sudo apt-get install flatpak

2. Add flathub repository, which hosts a large list of flatpak applications:

flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

4. Finally install Celluloid via command:

flatpak install flathub io.github.celluloid_player.Celluloid

NOTE if you’ve installed the flatpak package, simply update the media player via command:

flatpak update flathub io.github.celluloid_player.Celluloid

Once installed, launch the software either from application menu or by right-clicking video files and choose open with Celluloid!

Uninstall:

To remove the Celluloid flatpak package, run command in terminal:

flatpak uninstall io.github.celluloid_player.Celluloid
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How to Install RedNotebook 2.12 in Ubuntu 19.10, 18.04

Last updated: November 2, 2019

RedNotebook, desktop diary and personal journaling tool, released version 2.12 today. Here’s how to install it in all current Ubuntu releases.

RedNotebook is a free daily journal lets you format, tag and search your entries. You can also add pictures, links and customizable templates, spell check your notes, and export to plain text, HTML or LaTeX.

RedNotebook 2.12 was released today as the latest version that features:

  • Allow linking between days with dates like 2019-02-14 and ‘[named links 2019-02-14]’
  • Allow opening statistics dialog multiple times in one session.
  • Warn about outdated backups every week by default.
  • Increase default width of left panel to ensure that the calendar is fully visible.

RedNotebook official PPA contains the latest packages for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 19.04, Ubuntu 19.10, Linux Mint 18.x, 19.x, and even Ubuntu 20.04.

1. Open terminal either via Ctrl+Alt+T keyboard shortcuts or by searching for ‘terminal’ from application menu.

2. Copy and paste following command into terminal and hit run to add the RedNotebook PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:rednotebook/stable

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

3. Finally check updates and install the desktop journal software by running following 2 commands one by one:

sudo apt update 

sudo apt install rednotebook

Ubuntu 18.04 and higher can skip sudo apt update command since it’s already done while adding PPA.

Uninstall:

To remove RedNotebook desktop journal, open terminal and run command:

sudo apt remove --autoremove rednotebook

And remove the PPA via Software & Updates utility -> Other Software tab.

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MuseScore 3.3 Released with Complete Palettes Redesign

Last updated: November 1, 2019

MuseScore, free music composition and notation software, released version 3.3 a day ago with new feature, many improvements and bug-fixes.

MuseScore 3.3 release highlights according to the release note:

  • Complete palettes redesign
  • Note Input workflow improvements
  • Native support for Roman numeral analysis and Nashville notation
  • Multiple improvements to the Plugin API
  • And various bug-fixes.

How to Install MuseScore 3.3 in Ubuntu:

APPIMAGE:

You can now download the Appimage (non-install single executable) package while Ubuntu PPA and snap packages are not updated at the moment.

Right-click the Appimage, go to Properties -> Permissions -> tick the box says ‘Allow executing file as program’, finally run it to launch MuseScore 3.3:

Native Ubuntu .deb package:

There’s a community maintained PPA repository contains most recent MuseScore .deb packages for Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 19.04, and Ubuntu 19.10.

NOTE: The PPA is not updated at the moment, check the previous PPA link before getting started.

1. Open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mscore-ubuntu/mscore3-stable

2. Then install the scorewriter via command:

sudo apt install musescore3

Snap package (Official):

MuseScore offers official Snap package (runs in sandbox), though it’s not updated at the moment.

Open Ubuntu Software, search for and install musescore package. And it will be updated automatically once the developer team published the 3.3 package into the snap store.

Note there are 2 or 3 MuseScore packages in Ubuntu Software. Select install the one from Snap Store.

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Vivaldi 2.9 Released with Global Control Site Permissions

Last updated: October 31, 2019

Vivaldi web browser 2.9 was released today with enhanced Vivaldi menu, globally block site permissions, and other changes.

Vivaldi 2.9 release highlights:

  • Access custom Web panels through Menu -> View.
  • Add ‘Show Tab Bar’ in View menu.
  • Ability to right-click Bookmark menu items to access a context menu
  • Report a bug from Help menu.
  • Set global default site permissions (sound, geolocation, camera, microphone, Pop-ups, etc.) in Settings -> Webpage.
  • HTML5 video playback fixes on old machines with macOS.
  • Add F10 support for Vivaldi menu
  • And many more other changes, see the release note for details.

Download / Install Vivaldi in Ubuntu:

The official Ubuntu .DEB packages are available for download at the link below:

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

sudo dpkg -i ~/Downloads/vivaldi-stable_2.9*.deb

For those who want to receive future Vivaldi updates via Software Updater utility, the browser has an official apt repository for Ubuntu / Debian based system.

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 keyring:

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 3.19.10 Released with 64-bit Ubuntu 19.10 Support

Last updated: October 30, 2019

HPLIP 3.19.10, HP developed printer and scanner drivers for Linux, was released today with new devices and 64-bit Ubuntu 19.10 support.

HPLIP 3.19.10 added following new devices support:

  • HP Color LaserJet MFP M776dn
  • HP Color LaserJet Flow MFP M776z
  • HP Color LaserJet Flow MFP M776zs
  • HP Color LaserJet M856dn
  • HP Color LaserJet M856x
  • HP Color LaserJet E85055dn

Also 64-bit of Manjaro 18.1.0, Ubuntu 19.10, and Fedora 31 are supported in the release.

HPLIP 3.19.10 also added supported for “hp-uiscan” to scan only backside of a page, added Job Accounting Support for the following devices:

  • HP LaserJet Managed Flow MFP E77822-28-30 Printer
  • HP LaserJet Managed MFP E77822-28-30 Printer
  • HP LaserJet Managed Flow MFP E87640-50-60 Printer
  • HP LaserJet Managed MFP E87640-50-60 Printer
  • HP LaserJet Managed Flow MFP E82540-50-60 Printer
  • HP LaserJet Managed MFP E82540-50-60 Printer
  • HP LaserJet Managed Flow MFP E72525-30-35 Printer
  • HP LaserJet Managed MFP E72525-30-35 Printer

1. To install the software, download the package “hplip-3.19.10.run” from the link below:

2. Then make the downloaded file executable from its Properties dialog > Permissions tab:

3. Finally open terminal either via Ctrl+Alt+T or search for “terminal” from app launcher. When it opens, run command to start installing it:

./Downloads/hplip-3.19.10.run

4. Follow the terminal prompts, answer some questions to build and install HPLIP on your system. When everything is done, plug/re-plug your printers and enjoy!

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