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Audacity 2.3.3 Released! How to Install it in Ubuntu 19.10

Last updated: November 22, 2019

Audacity audio editor released version 2.3.3 a few hours ago. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 19.04, and Ubuntu 19.10.

Audacity 2.3.3 features over 150 bug-fixes, and following improvements:

  • Equalization effect now split into two effects, Filter Curve and Graphic EQ.
    • Presets (using manage button) now active/working.
    • Can now have two points at same frequency for steep steps.
  • ‘What you hear is what you get’ for exports.
  • Leading silence (blank space) not skipped over in exports.
  • Quality setting on AAC/M4A exports.
  • Some confusing functionality removed.

How to Install Audacity 2.3.3 in Ubuntu:

The unofficial PPA has built the 2.3.3 packages for Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 19.04, Ubuntu 19.10, and their derivatives, e.g., Linux Mint 19.x.

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

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/audacity

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

2. If you have a previous version installed, you can upgrade Audacity via Software Updater after adding the PPA.

or run following commands one by one to check updates and install (or upgrade) audacity 2.3.2:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install audacity

Uninstall:

To remove the PPA repository, launch Software & Updates utility and navigate to ‘Other Software’ tab.

To remove Audacity audio software, either use system package manager or run command in terminal:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove audacity audacity-data
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gThumb 3.8.2 Released! Menu in Top Panel Merged to Headbar

Last updated: November 21, 2019

Gnome image viewer and organizer gThumb 3.8.2 was released a few days ago with app menu improvements. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 18.04 and higher.

gThumb 3.8.2 uses menu instead of popovers for menu buttons on the header bar, so the drop-down menu now has icons, and accelerator keys.

Gnome shows focused application’s icon and name with a drop-down menu in the top panel. In gThumb 3.8.2, the top panel app menu options are merged into the header bar menu button.

The new release also improved webp support. You can now open webp image from files’ context menu (‘Open With Other Application’). Or simply set gThumb as default image viewer to open webp in file’s Properties dialog (‘Open With’ tab.).

gThumb 3.8.2 changelog:

  • Use menus instead of popovers for menu buttons on the header bar.
  • Align menus to the right for menu buttons on the right side.
  • Search: show the matching files during the search operation.
  • Rename dialog: activate on enter.
  • Added image/webp support in .desktop file.
  • Translation updates and some bug-fixes.

How to Install gThumb 3.8.2 in Ubuntu:

While gThumb in Ubuntu main repository is always old, Dariusz Duma’s PPA maintains the latest software packages for Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 19.04, Ubuntu 19.10, and Linux Mint 19.x.

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

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:dhor/myway

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

2.) If an old version was installed, upgrade it using Software Updater:

or run commands in terminal to install or upgrade the image viewer:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install gthumb

Uninstall:

To remove the PPA, either open Software & Updates and navigate to Other Software tab, or run command in terminal:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:dhor/myway

And you can remove gThumb via command:

sudo apt remove gthumb gthumb-data
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How to Install CopyQ Clipboard Manager 3.9.3 in Ubuntu 19.10

Last updated: November 19, 2019

CopyQ, an open-source clipboard manager with editing and scripting features, released version 3.9.3 a few days ago. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 19.04, and Ubuntu 19.10.

CopyQ 3.9.3 features new loadTheme() script function loads theme from INI file. And there are also following changes in the release:

  • Currently selected item stays on top on PageUp/Down
  • Skips using a command from a disabled plugin
  • Logs information on slow menu filters and display commands
  • Fix taking screenshots on multiple monitors
  • Fix duplicate show/hide tray menu items
  • Fix moving synchronized items to top when activated
  • Performance improvements and other fixes.

How to Install Copyq 3.9.3 in Ubuntu:

The official PPA repository has made the latest packages for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 19.04, Ubuntu 19.10, and Linux Mint 18.x, 19.x.

1. To add the PPA, open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) from application menu and run command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:hluk/copyq

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

2. Then install CopyQ either via Synaptic package manager or by running commands in terminal:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install copyq

Once installed, start the clipboard manager from application menu and you’ll see the icon in system tray area.

Uninstall:

To remove the software, either use Synaptic package manager or run command:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove copyq

To remove PPA repositories, launch Software & Updates and navigate to Other Software tab.

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How to Install Kodi Media Center 18.5 in Ubuntu

Last updated: November 17, 2019

Though it’s not officially announced at the moment, Kodi (formerly XBMC) 18.5 was released earlier today, available to install via PPA in Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 19.04, and Ubuntu 19.10.

Kodi 18.5 is a bug-fix release contains following changes:

  • Support shoutcast over https
  • Add dual support for Artist Slideshow 2.x and 3.x
  • Fix screensaver not going black when video is paused.
  • Fix that Kodi 18.4 does not skip commericals
  • Make archive files work via UPnP
  • Fix scrollbar in skin settings.
  • Fix loading external subtitles in custom folder.
  • Fix that user-provided joystick configuration not applied.
  • Fix “queue item” and “play next” for STRM files with Plugin URL
  • Fix screen rendering issue in mac OS.
  • Fix crash issue when changing the artwork of multipart video files.
  • Fix the filename of the default studios icon.
  • Clear resume bookmarks also when marking as unwatched
  • Stop PVR services on logoff to avoid PVR reminder pop-up on login screen.
  • Add addon settings support for property condition (basic conditions only)
  • Fix wrong sort order list for music playlists node
  • Fix watched videos not being hidden

How to Install Kodi 18.5 in Ubuntu:

The Kodi stable PPA has made the new release packages for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 19.04, and Ubuntu 19.10.

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:

or refresh system package cache and install Kodi 18.5 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

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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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