1. Home/
    2. Archives /
  2. News

Archives For News

Free open-source software updates and Linux news

MuseScore 3.2 Released with Dozens of Bug Fixes

Last updated: June 26, 2019

Free scorewriter MuseScore 3.2 was released a day ago with dozens of bug-fixes as well as some improvements to user interface.

MuseScore 3.2 release highlights:

  • Default to dark theme on macOS Dark Mode
  • Sticking (the process of assigning certain notes to either our left or right hand) as a new command
  • A few improvements to user interface.
  • Fixed exporting parts from a score didn’t produce correct MIDI, MP3, WAV, OGG, and FLAC files
  • Fixed that tuplets and articulations were laid out incorrectly
  • And many other fixes, see the relese note for details.

Download / Install MuseScore in Ubuntu:

MuseScore has a stable PPA for Ubuntu 18.04 and higher, though it’s falling behind with version 3.0.5.

There’s non-install single executable Appimage available to download at the link below:

Right-click the Appimage, go to Properties -> Permissions -> tick the box says ‘Allow executing file as program’, finally run it to launch MuseScore 3.2:

In News ,
 

Stellarium 0.19.1 Released with A Large List of Changes

Last updated: June 22, 2019

Free-software planetarium Stellarium 0.19.1 was released today with numerous bug-fixes, updates, and improvements.

Changes in Stellarium 0.19.1 include:

  • Allow to search an inactive meteor showers in Search Tool/Lists tool
  • Added ‘Azimuth vs. Time’ graph into AstroCalc/Graphs tool
  • Added feature to show tracks for latest several selected planets
  • Added tools for jumping to the next or previous time of rising, transit or setting for selected object.
  • Added hour angle and sidereal time to infomap.
  • Updated DSO textures, planetary nomenclature, list of asterisms.
  • Numerous fixes and other updates.

How to Install Stellarium 0.19.0 in Ubuntu:

The official Stellarium Ubuntu PPA has made the new release packages for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 18.10, Ubuntu 19.04.

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

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

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

2. Then upgrade Stellarium from an existing release with Software Updater utility:

Or run following commands to install the software for the first time:

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.

In Howtos, News ,
 

Vivaldi 2.6 Released with Improved Security & User Profile

Last updated: June 20, 2019

Vivaldi web browser released new stable version 2.6 today with improved security, profile management and more.

Vivaldi 2.6 release highlights:

  • Add Privacy option to block abusive ads.
  • More personality to user profiles
  • Filter saved passwords in Settings → Privacy.
  • Add unread tab counter to the left panel
  • Add Razer headphone devices support for Razer Chroma
  • And various other changes.

How to Install Vivaldi 2.6 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_2.6*.deb

Vivaldi also has apt repository, with it you can install the browser and get future updates through Software Updater utility.

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.

In Howtos, News
 

GIMP 2.10.12 Released with Bug Fixes, Cool Improvements

Last updated: June 13, 2019

GIMP image editor 2.10.12 was released a day ago with mostly fixes for some annoying bugs.

There’s also some cool improvements in GIMP 2.10.12:

  • Improved Curves tool
  • Layers support for TIFF exporting
  • Support for user-installed fonts on Windows
  • Faster painting
  • Improved symmetry painting support
  • Incremental mode in the Dodge/Burn tool
  • Free Select tool now creates a preliminary selection
  • New Offset tool

How to Install Latest GIMP in Ubuntu & Linux Mint:

Ubuntu users can install the latest GIMP via 3 ways: GIMP PPA, Snap package, Flatpak package.

1.) GIMP Snap package:

GIMP Snap is still in v2.10.10 at the moment of writing. As usual it will be updated in a few days.

GIMP Snap is a containerized software package. Once installed, it will be updated automatically when maintainer published a new release package.

For Ubuntu 18.04 and higher, install GIMP snap package from Ubuntu Software:

For Ubuntu 16.04, run following commands one by one to install GIMP snap:

sudo apt-get install snapd
sudo snap install gimp

2.) GIMP PPA:

There’s an unofficial GIMP PPA that maintains native GIMP for Ubuntu packages for Ubuntu 18.04 and higher.

The PPA is not updated at the moment of writing. Check the PPA link above. It should be updated in 2 or 3 days.

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

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:otto-kesselgulasch/gimp

2. Then you can upgrade GIMP using Software Updater is an old version was installed.

Or run following command to install GIMP:

sudo apt-get install gimp

3.) GIMP Flatpak:

Flatpak is a containerized software package. GIMP Flatpak package is available in flathub repositoy.

Uninstall:

To remove GIMP snap package, either use Ubuntu Software or run command in terminal:

sudo snap remove gimp

To remove GIMP PPA package, and restore to original status, run command in terminal to purge PPA:

sudo apt install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:otto-kesselgulasch/gimp
In Howtos, News
 

Deluge 2.0 Released! How to Install in Ubuntu 18.04, 19.04

Last updated: June 12, 2019

Deluge bittorrent client 2.0 was released a few days ago. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 18.10, Ubuntu 19.04.

Deluge 2.0 was released with following exciting new features:

  • Shiny new logo.
  • Multi-user support.
  • Performance updates to handle thousands of torrents with faster loading times.
  • A New Console UI which emulates GTK/Web UIs.
  • GTK UI migrated to GTK3 with UI improvements and additions.
  • Magnet pre-fetching to allow file selection when adding torrent.
  • Fully support libtorrent 1.2 release.
  • Language switching support.
  • Improved documentation hosted on ReadTheDocs.
  • AutoAdd plugin replaces built-in functionality.

How to Install Deluge 2.0 in Ubuntu:

Deluge stable PPA has built the latest packages for Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 18.10, Ubuntu 19.04 and their derivatives.

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

1. Run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:deluge-team/stable

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

2. If a previous release was installed, upgrade it via Software Updater:

or run command in terminal to install or upgrade Deluge:

sudo apt install deluge

Uninstall:

To uninstall Deluge PPA, open Software & Updates -> Other Software tab and remove the repository line.

To remove Deluge torrent client, run command in terminal:

sudo apt remove --autoremove deluge
In Howtos, News ,
 

Luminance HDR 2.6.0 Released! How to Install in Ubuntu 18.04

Last updated: June 10, 2019

After almost two years of development, Luminance HDR released version 2.6.0 was released yesterday.

Luminance HDR 2.6.0 release highlights:

  • Four new tone-mapping operators: ferwerda, kimkautz, lischinski and vanhateren.
  • Speed up for hdr creation
  • Added post processing gamma and saturation.
  • Great speedup and better memory usage for all tonemapping operators
  • Preview of created HDR in HDR Wizard
  • Other small improvements and bug-fixes as usual.

How to Install Luminance HDR 2.6.0 in Ubuntu 18.04, 19.04

There’s an unofficial PPA contains the latest Luminance HDR packages for Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 18.10, Ubuntu 19.04.

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. Run command to add the PPA repository:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:dhor/myway

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

2. If you have a previous release installed, launch Software Updater (Update Manager) and upgrade the software:

Or run following command to install (or upgrade) Luminance HDR:

sudo apt install luminance-hdr

How to Uninstall:

The PPA repository can be removed by going to System Settings -> Software & Updates -> Other Software tab.

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

sudo apt remove --auto-remove luminance-hdr
In Howtos, News
 

VLC 3.0.7 Released! Improved Blu-ray, MP4 Support (How to Install)

Last updated: June 8, 2019

VLC media player 3.0.7 was released a day ago. The new release features numerous security fixes and many improvements.

VLC 3.0.7 release highlights:

  • Improvements on the Blu-ray support, notably for menus
  • Improve MP4 support
  • Improvements for HDR support on Windows, including for HLG streams
  • Improve Chromecast support with new ChromeCast apps
  • Fixes for UPnP discovery on MacBooks with a TouchBar
  • Fixes for some 10bit and 12bit rendering on Windows 10
  • And numerous security fixes.

How to Install VLC 3.0.7 in Ubuntu:

The official VLC 3.0.7 snap package (containerised software package) is available in Ubuntu Software for Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 18.10, Ubuntu 19.04, and higher.

For Ubuntu 16.04, open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and make sure snapd daemon is installed.

sudo apt-get install snapd

Then install VLC 3.0.7 snap package via command:

sudo snap install vlc --classic

Once installed, open VLC from your system application launcher and enjoy!

(Optional) To remove the snap package, either use Ubuntu Software or run command in terminal:

sudo snap remove vlc

VLC 3.0.7 PPA:

For those who are looking for traditional VLC .deb package, the unofficial PPA contains the latest VLC 3.0.7 packages for Ubuntu 16.04 and Ubuntu 18.04.

In Howtos, News ,
 

Install The Latest Pencil2D Animation Tool in Ubuntu 18.04 & Higher

Last updated: June 7, 2019

Pencil2D is an open-source application to make 2D hand-drawn animations in Windows, Mac OS, and Linux.

Pencil2D features:

  • open source and free to use even commercially!
  • layers support (separated layer for bitmap, vector and soud part)
  • bitmap drawing, vector drawing, and sound support
  • For more, go to Pencil2D website.

How to Install the Latest Pencil2D in Ubuntu

While Ubuntu universe repositories only provide an old version, the latest Pencil2D flatpak package is available to install via following steps:

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

When terminal opens, run command to install flatpak daemon:

sudo apt install flatpak

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

2. Add flathub repository via command:

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

3. Finally you’re able to install Pencil2D from the flathub repository via command:

flatpak install flathub org.pencil2d.Pencil2D

Once installed, open the tool from your system application menu and enjoy!

(Optional) To remove the Pencil2d flatpak package, simply open terminal and run command:

flatpak uninstall org.pencil2d.Pencil2D
In Howtos, News ,
 

KXStitch Cross Stitch Editor 2.2.0 Rleased (How to Install)

Last updated: June 6, 2019

KXStitch, KDE software to create cross stitch pattern and chart, released version 2.2.0. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 18.10, Ubuntu 19.04.

KXStitch is a program that lets you create cross stitch patterns and charts. Patterns can be created from scratch on a user defined size of grid, which can be enlarged or reduced in size as your pattern progresses. Alternatively you can import images from many graphics file formats which will allow you to reduce the number of colors and to restrict the conversion to full stitches or optionally use fractional stitches. You may also use images as backgrounds allowing you to trace over them. These imported images can then be modified using the supplied tools to produce your final design.

KXStitch 2.2.0 was released silently. No release note, no changelog. According to the project commits, it’s a bug-fix release with fixes for Qt 5.11 compile issue, importing images for V6 of ImageMagick, and many other issues.

How to Install KXStitch 2.2.0 in Ubuntu:

1. 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:ubuntuhandbook1/kxstitch

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

2. Then check updates and install the software either via Synaptic Package Manager or by running commands:

sudo apt install kxstitch

Uninstall:

To remove KXStitch cross stitch software, either use Synaptic or run command in terminal:

sudo apt remove --auto-remove kxstitch

The PPA can be removed via “Software & Updates” utility under “Other Software” tab.

In Howtos, News ,
 

KeePassXC Password Manager 2.4.2 Released (Howto Install)

Last updated: June 2, 2019

KeePassXC, cross-platform community fork of KeePassX, released version 2.4.2 a few days ago with many improvements and security fixes.

KeePassXC 2.4.2 release highlights:

  • Introduce a memory wiping feature to reduce the risk of secrets.
  • Prevent infinite save loop when location is unavailable.
  • Fix opening URL’s with non-http schemes.
  • Fix data loss due to not reading all database attachments if duplicates exist
  • Update group in preview widget when focused
  • Remove non-functional apply button in application settings
  • Linux Snap package fixes and improvements.
  • And fixes to Mac OS, web browser, and others

How to Install KeePassXC in Ubuntu via Snap:

The official snap package (runs in sandbox and auto-updates itself) is available in Ubuntu Software for Ubuntu 18.04 and higher, though it’s not updated to v2.4.2 at the moment.

For Ubuntu 16.04, run command to install snapd daemon first:

sudo apt-get install snapd

Then install the snap package via command:

sudo snap install keepassxc

How to Install KeePassXC in Ubuntu via PPA:

For those who don’t prefer snap packages, the official KeePassXC PPA contains the most recent .deb packages for Ubuntu 14.04, Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 18.10, and Ubuntu 19.04.

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

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 via Software Updater:

or run commands one by one in terminal to install the latest package:

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
In Howtos, News