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How to Install MPV 0.30 in Ubuntu 18.04/19.10

Last updated: October 28, 2019

MPV media player logo

MPV video player 0.30.0 was released a few days ago with many new features and improvements. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 18.04, Linux Mint 19.x, and Ubuntu 19.10.

MPV 0.30.0 release highlights:

  • Vulkan interoperability with CUDA hardware decoding support as well as VA-API + Vulkan interop support.
  • replace Vulkan implementation with one based upon libplacebo
  • resentation feedback support with the DRM EGL code
  • support for direct mode of 4:4:4 content with VDPAU decoding
  • 30bpp support for the DRM output back-end
  • support for 10-bit OpenGL rendering on macOS
  • add gamepad support through SDL2
  • add presentation time support for wayland.

How to Install MPV 0.30.0 in Ubuntu:

There’s an Ubuntu PPA contains most recent MPV packages for Ubuntu 18.04 and Ubuntu 19.10.

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:mc3man/mpv-tests

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

2.) If a previous version of MPV was installed, launch Software Updater and you’ll see new MPV package available to upgrade.

Or run command one by one in terminal to install (upgrade) MPV:

sudo apt install mpv

Uninstall:

To downgrade MPV to the stock version in Ubuntu main repositories, run command to purge the PPA:

sudo apt install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:mc3man/mpv-tests

To remove the PPA only, go to Software & Updates -> Other Software tab.

To simply remove MPV media player, either use Ubuntu Software or run command in terminal:

sudo apt remove --autoremove mpv
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KeepassXC 2.5.0 Adds ‘Export to HTML’ & 1Password OpVault Support

Last updated: October 27, 2019

KeePassXC, KeePass cross-platform community edition, released version 2.5.0 today with a large number of new features and improvements.

KeePassXC 2.5.0 release highlights:

  • Add paper backup support (Export to HTML).
  • Add database statistics panel
  • Offline user manual.
  • Import 1Password OpVault files
  • Add support for OnlyKey as an alternative to YubiKeys

The new release also brings a redesigned unlock dialog, a reworked entry panel, a function to download favicons for all your entries at once, and many CLI improvements. See the release note for more details.

How to Install KeePassXC 2.5.0 in Ubuntu:

For Ubuntu 18.04 and higher, the easiest way is to install the Snap package (runs in sandbox) via Ubuntu Software:

For those prefer native Ubuntu .deb package, open terminal from application menu or press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard, and run following commands one by one:

1.) Run command to add the official PPA, which so far supports for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 19.04, and Ubuntu 19.10.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:phoerious/keepassxc

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

2. Then upgrade KeePassXC from previous release via Software Updater:

or run commands one by one in terminal to install the password manager:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install keepassxc

Uninstall:

To remove the PPA, open Software & Updates and navigate to Other Software tab.

To remove KeePassXC .deb package, run command in terminal:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove keepassxc
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QQ for Linux is Back, 10 Years After Discontinued!

Last updated: January 9, 2023

Tencent QQ, one of the most favorite instant messaging apps for Chinese users, now is back to Linux. And, it’s now in 3.0 release.

QQ for Linux was discontinued about 10 years ago. Now it’s back with following features:

  • Support x64、ARM64.
  • Offers .rpm, .deb for Fedora, Debian/Ubuntu, and AppImage package for most Linux.
  • Login by scanning QR Code via QQ on mobile.
  • Send texts, files, pictures, and take screenshots.

At the moment it’s QQ Linux 3.0 with modern UI powered by Tencent’s own QQNT framework. Which, is working perfectly in my case except for the video/audio chat support.

QQ for Linux 3.0

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.

To get the new QQ for Linux client, just go to its official website via the link button below:

Download QQ for Linux

Then, 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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Firefox 70 Released with New App Icon, Faster JavaScript Interpreter

Last updated: October 23, 2019

Mozilla Firefox 70 stable was released with new logo icon, improved page load performance, and other enhancements.

Firefox 70.0 release highlights:

  • New application icon.
  • A faster Javascript Baseline Interpreter
  • WebRender enabled by default on Windows with integrated Intel graphics cards
  • Complex password generation
  • Enhanced Tracking Protection (ETP) enabled by default on all platforms
  • A stand-alone Firefox account menu
  • New ‘What’s New’ menu option.
  • Import passwords from Chrome on macOS
  • More privacy and security protections.

Download / Install Firefox 70:

Firefox 70 packages will be made into Ubuntu security & updates repositories for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 19.04, and Ubuntu 19.10.

It will be usually available in a few days. Check this link.

At that time, you can simply upgrade to Firefox 70 via Software Updater.

Can’t wait? You can now click here to download Firefox for Linux (64-bit), then extract and run the executable to launch Firefox 70.

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Xournal++ 1.0.5 Released! How to Install it in ubuntu

Last updated: October 18, 2019

Xournal++, open-source handwriting notetaking software with PDF annotation support, released 1.0.5 a few days ago. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, and higher.

Xournal++ is written in C++ with GTK3. It supports pen input from devices such as Wacom Tablets, and features:

  • Support for annotating PDFs
  • PDF Export (with and without paper style)
  • PNG Export (with and without transparent background)
  • LaTeX support (requires a working LaTeX install)
  • Audio recording and playback alongside with handwritten notes
  • Plugins using LUA Scripting
  • And much more other features.

Xournal++ 1.0.4 was released a week ago, quickly followed by a minor 1.0.15 release. It includes many bugfixes as well as some quality-of-life enhancements and new experimental floating toolbox.

How to Install Xournal++ 1.0.5 in Ubuntu:

For Ubuntu 16.04 and Ubuntu 18.04 64-bit, the official xournalpp-1.0.15-Ubuntu-xenial-x86_64.deb package is available to download at the link below:

Install “Gdebi package installer” from Ubuntu Software, and click install the Xournal++ .deb package via Gdebi.

Other ways:

Git builds of Xournal++ snap package (runs in sandbox) is also available in Ubuntu Software for Ubuntu 18.04 and higher.

Flathub repository offers version 1.0.5 of Xournal++ flatpak package (runs in sandbox) for Ubuntu 18.04 and higher.

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KDE Plasma 5.17 Released! How to Install it in (K)Ubuntu 19.10

Last updated: October 16, 2019

KDE Plasma desktop 5.17 was released yesterday. Now you can install it in (K)Ubuntu 19.10 via KUbuntu Backports PPA.

Plasma 5.17 release highlights:

  • Night Color for X11.
  • Fractional scaling support on Wayland.
  • Faster startup performance.
  • New panel in System Settings for configuring Thunderbolt devices
  • Improved widget resizing, settings panels, and many other small feature additions.
  • For more details, see the release note.

How to Install Plasma 5.17 in (K)Ubuntu 19.10:

Open terminal either via Ctrl+Alt+T keyboard shortcut or by searching for ‘terminal’ from application menu. When it opens, do:

1. Add Kubuntu Backports PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:kubuntu-ppa/backports

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

2. Install Plasma 5.17 in Kubuntu 19.10:

Either install all system update via Update Manager, or run command in terminal:

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

3. For non-Kubuntu user:

Run command to install Plasma desktop:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install plasma-desktop

or install full KDE desktop environment via command:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install kubuntu-desktop

Uninstall:

You can purge the Kubuntu Backports PPA, which also downgrade Plasma desktop to the stock version (5.16.5) in Ubuntu 19.10 repository.

sudo apt install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:kubuntu-ppa/backports
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GScan2PDF 2.5.7 Released! How to Install it in Ubuntu

Last updated: October 13, 2019

Gscan2pdf 2.5.7, GTK tool to produce PDF / DjVu from scanned document, was released today. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 19.04.

Changes in Gscan2pdf 2.5.7 include:

  • Recognise “Document Table” as flatbed for imagescan backend.
  • Use option name as label for those options with no title.
  • Extended edit profile functionality in scan dialog to frontend options.
  • Close device when switching frontends so as not to block SANE for the new frontend.
  • Allow tool processes to immediately continue working on subsequent pages despite errors on previous ones.
  • Fix infinite loop scanning reverse pages
  • Updated translations.

How to Install gscan2pdf 2.5.7 in Ubuntu:

The official Ubuntu PPA has made the new release packages for all current Ubuntu releases, and their derivatives.

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:

For the first time, you can either install it via Synaptic Package Manager or by running following commands in terminal:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get 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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Opera Web Browser 64 Released! (How to Install)

Last updated: October 8, 2019

Opera web browser 64 stable was released today. The new release features more accessible privacy and security functionality, and enhanced snapshot tool.

According to the release note, Opera 64 includes following changes:

  • Add “Block Trackers” to EasySetup
  • Count blocked trackers in popup
  • Snapshot tool enhancements:
    • save a website directly to PDF
    • capture the entire website all the way to the bottom
    • improved the blurring function and the drawing tool
    • allows to add text in three fonts
    • new emojis and more other changes.

How to Install Opera 64 in Ubuntu:

The Opera team offers snap package (runs in sandbox), which is always up-to-date (auto-updates itself). You can simply install it in Ubuntu Software:

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

To receive future updates through Software Updater, add the official Opera apt repository via following steps:

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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Free Software Planetarium Stellarium 0.19.2 Released (Ubuntu PPA)

Last updated: September 29, 2019

The second bugfix release for the free open-source planetarium Stellarium 0.19 series was released today. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, and higher.

Changes in Stellarium 0.19.2 release include:

  • Added support DMS and DD formats for parallactic angle feature
  • Added 2 new scripts (Saturnian and uranian analemmas)
  • Added ‘k Pup’ designation to star HIP 37229
  • Added a new skylore for Stellarium: Anutan
  • Added “observers” for all planets with moons
  • Added 3 new actions
  • Added Vanuatu (Netwar) skyculture
  • Added few asterisms
  • Added few new DSO textures
  • Added support Vec3d into scripting engine
  • Added a Messier Marathon script
  • Updated planetary nomenclature
  • Enabled scaling fonts on High DPI monitors
  • MUCH more other updates and bug-fixes, see the release note.

How to Install Stellarium 0.19.2 in Ubuntu:

1. Open terminal either via Ctrl+Alt+T keyboard shortcut 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 existing release with Software Updater utility:

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

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get 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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qBittorrent 4.1.8 Released with Stability Fixes (Ubuntu PPA)

Last updated: September 28, 2019

qBittorrent P2P Bittorrent client 4.1.8 and 4.2.0 alpha2 were released a few days ago. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, and Ubuntu 19.04.

qBittorrent 4.1.8 is a small release with following bug-fixes:

  • Fix filename validation on non-Windows OS
  • ScanFolders/FileSystemWatcher now detect magnet files with case insensitivity in filename
  • Fix failed seeding after creating a torrent and auto-adding it to the session

How to Install qBittorrent 4.1.8 in Ubuntu:

The official qBittorrent PPA has built the new release packages for all current Ubuntu releases.

1. To add the PPA, open terminal either via Ctrl+Alt+T keyboard shortcut or by 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. To upgrade from existing software version, launch Software Updater and you’ll see qBittorrent available for upgrade after checking for updates.

Or run commands below to install /upgrade it from 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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