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How to Install FlightGear 2018.2.1 in Ubuntu 18.04

Last updated: June 1, 2018

FlightGear flight simulator 2018.2.1 was released more than a week ago. Now it’s finally made into PPA for Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 17.10, Ubuntu 16.04, and/or Ubuntu 14.04.

FlightGear 2018.2.1 contains many exciting new features, enhancements and bugfixes, including improved support for addons, improvements to the YASim FDM, and user experience improvements to the launcher.

Cessna 550 Citation II – detailed modelling of avionics, improved MP model display, improved flaps modeling
Cessna Citation X – avionics improvements, improved MP model display
North American P-51 Mustang
Piper J3 Cub – improvements to water behaviour
Saab 37 Viggen – Autopilot, HUD and TI improvements
Cessna 172P – FDM, 3D Model, Sound improvements
FG1000 glass panel display, based on the Garmin G1000

flightgear flight simulator 2.12 ubuntu

How to Install FlightGear 2018.2 in Ubuntu:

The software has a PPA repository contains FlightGear packages for all current Ubuntu releases.

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

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:saiarcot895/flightgear

Input your password (no visual feedback) when it prompts and hit Enter.

2. Then upgrade FlightGear via Software Updater, if a previous version exists.

or run command in terminal to install or upgrade the flight simulator:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install flightgear

Uninstall:

To remove FlightGear flight simulator, either use your system package manager or run command:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove flightgear

And launch Software & Updates -> Other Software tab to remove the PPAs.

In Howtos, News flight simulator, flightgear

qBittorrent 4.1.1 Released with Socks5 Issues Fixed

Last updated: May 28, 2018

qBittorrent

qBittorrent BitTorrent client 4.1.1 was released a day ago with important fixes in the version of libtorrent used. It fixes SOCKS5 issues and tracker announces about downloaded/uploaded data.

Changes in qBittorrent 4.1.1 include:

Add ‘Moving’ state for torrents being relocated/moved
Show rechecking progress
Add option to remember last used save path
Torrent name is also renamed if the content was renamed in the “Add New Torrent” dialog
Relax behavior of “Download first and last piece first”. It applies to all files and not only to the previewable
Fix issues with translatable strings
Fix displayed tracker messages
Make settings file recovery more robust
Retry saving settings when operation failed
Fix deletion of old logs
Fix adding multiple torrents at once from WebUI
Improve “Run External Program” behavior.
Suppress multiple I/O errors for the same torrent
Replace raster qbt logo with vector version
Fix open destination folder with Nautilus > 3.28
Web UI, RSS and other changes.

How to Install qBittorrent 4.1.1 in Ubuntu:

The official qBittorrent PPA contains the latest packages for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 17.10, Ubuntu 18.04, and derivatives.

1. To add the PPA, open terminal either via Ctrl+Alt+T or searching “Terminal” from app launcher. When it opens, run:

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

Type in your password (no visual feedback while typing due to security reason) when it prompts and hit Enter to continue.

2. To upgrade from a previous release, 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

3. (Optional) To uninstall the 4.1.1 release and revert to the stock version of qBittorrent in Ubuntu repository, do:

sudo apt install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:qbittorrent-team/qbittorrent-stable

In Howtos, News qbittorrent

Curlew Media Converter 0.2.5 Released with Merging File Support

Last updated: May 26, 2018

Free and open-source multimedia converter Curlew 0.2.5 was released today with great new features and enhancements.

Curlew is a GTK3 software written in Python and uses ffmpeg/avconv for media encoding. The latest Curlew 0.2.5 features:

Add option to include all audio tracks of file.
Add support for merging files.
Add Fade In/Out filter feature.
Add paste “from the Clipboard” feature.
Use Home directory as default converting destination.
Hide unused page/widget.
Add xplayer to players list.
Colored buttons (Convert/Close).
Removed CSD option.
Deleted stdeb config files and use native debian packaging system.
Fix disabled convert button issue.
Bug fixes, code enhancements, and translation updates.

How to install Curlew 0.2.5 in Ubuntu:

The software offers pre-compiled .deb package available for download at the link below:

Download Curlew (.deb)

To install the .deb package in Ubuntu 16.04 and Ubuntu 18.04, either use Gdebi package manager or run command in terminal:

sudo dpkg -i ~/Downloads/curlew_0.2.5-1_all.deb; sudo apt-get -f install

Uninstall:

To remove the software, simply run command in terminal:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove curlew

In Howtos, News curlew, media converter

HPLIP 3.18.5 Released with Numerous New Printers Support

Last updated: May 24, 2018

HP Linux Imaging and Printing

HPLIP 3.18.5, HP developed Linux drivers for HP inkjet and laser based printers, was released a few hours ago.

HPLIP 3.18.5 brings a large list of new printers support:

HP DesignJet T1700 / T1700dr PostScript
HP Color LaserJet Pro M253a, M254dn, M254n, M254dne, M254nw, M254dw, M254cnw, M253nw, M253cnw, M254cdw.
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M180nw, M181fw, M179fw, M179cfw, M181fnw, M181cfw, M180n, M178cn, M178n, M180cn
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M281fdw, M279fdw, M281cdw, M281fdn, M281dne, M278dn, M280nw, M278nw, M278cw, M280cnw, M280c2
HP Color LaserJet Pro M154a
HP Color LaserJet M153a, M153b, M153nw, M153cnw, M153c1, M154b, M154nw, M153c1, M154cnw, M154c1
HP PageWide Managed Color MFP P77440dn, P77440dn, P77940dns, P77940dn, P77940dn+, P77950dns, P77950dn, P77950dn+, P77960dns, P77960dn, P77960dn+

Download / Install HPLIP 3.18.5:

To install the software, download the package “hplip-3.18.5.run” from the link below:

HPLIP Download Page

Then open terminal via Ctrl+Alt+T or search for “terminal” from app launcher. When it opens, run command:

cd ~/Downloads/ && chmod +x hplip-3.18.5.run && ./hplip-3.18.5.run

Input your password (no visual feedback while typing) when it prompts and hit Enter.

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

In Howtos, News HP Print Driver for Linux, HPLIP

SMPlayer 18.5 Released! How to Install it in Ubuntu 18.04

Last updated: May 23, 2018

SMPlayer media player 18.5.0 was released earlier today with enhancements and a few bug-fixes. Here’s how to install it in all current Ubuntu releases via PPA.

SMPlayer 18.5.0 release highlights:

Now the YouTube live streams work on Windows as well.
A problem which might prevent SMPlayer to open filenames with unicode characters in Windows has been fixed.
Fix: the cursor keys should now work in the playlist.
Now it’s possible to select which multimedia keys should be used as global shortcuts (Preferences -> Keyboard and mouse).
The multimedia key events are sent twice on some systems, making some keys (like volume mute or play/pause) almost unusable. This version tries to detect it and prevent it.
“opus” has been added to to the list of audio extensions.

SMPlayer with Mac skin

How to Install SMPlayer 18.5 in Ubuntu:

For Ubuntu 14.04, Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 17.10, Ubuntu 18.04, and derivatives, do following steps to install or upgrade SMPlayer via its PPA repository.

1. Search for and launch “terminal” from application launcher. When it opens, run command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:rvm/smplayer

Input your password (no visual feedback while typing) when it asks and hit Enter.

Smplayer PPA

2. Then upgrade SMPlayer using Software Updater (or Update Manager):

upgrade smplayer

or run commands in terminal to install (or upgrade) the media player:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install smplayer smtube smplayer-themes

Uninstall:

To remove SMPlayer, run command in terminal:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove smplayer smtube smplayer-*

And remove the PPA via “Software & Updates” utility under Other Software tab.

In Howtos, News SMPlayer

GIMP 2.10.2 Released with HEIF Support (How to Upgrade)

Last updated: May 22, 2018

GIMP 2.10.2, the first bug-fix release for the GIMP 2.10 series, was released 2 days ago. And now you can easily install it in Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 17.10, and derivatives.

GIMP 2.10.2 release highlights:

Add HEIF image format support both for loading and export
Spherize filter to wrap an image around a spherical cap
Recursive Transform filter to create a Droste effect
Single-window screenshots improvement for Windows.
Histogram computation improvement which eliminates some UI freezes
Document update and a total of 44 bug-fixes.

How to Install GIMP 2.10.2 via PPA in Ubuntu:

The new release has been made into PPA repository for Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 17.10.

Ubuntu 16.04 is not supported at the moment due to inextricably Glib dependencies.

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

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

Type your password (no visual feedback) when it prompts and hit Enter to continue.

2. After added the PPA, you can upgrade to GIMP 2.10.2 from an existing release using Software Updater (Update Manager):

or run commands one by one in terminal to install or upgrade GIMP:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install gimp

Tip: apt update command is not required for Ubuntu 18.04 since it automatically refresh repository caches after adding PPA.

How to Restore:

For any reason, you can restore to the old GIMP 2.8.22 by running following command in terminal to purge the PPA:

sudo apt-get install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:otto-kesselgulasch/gimp

In Howtos, News gimp, image editor

Gnome Twitch 0.4.2 Released! How to Install it in Ubuntu 18.04

Last updated: May 19, 2018

GTK+ Twitch application ‘Gnome Twitch’ reached the 0.4.2 release after a year of development.

Gnome Twitch 0.4.2 fixed some minor bugs. The new release fixed crashes on opening stream due to requests must be made over SSL, by using new Twitch API URL over SSL.

Install Gnome Twitch 0.4.2 in Ubuntu 18.04

For Ubuntu 18.04 LTS, you can install the new release package from the PPA (unofficial).

1. Open terminal either via Ctrl+Alt+T or by searching for “terminal” from app launcher. When it opens, run command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/apps

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

2. If a previous version of Gnome Twitch was installed, upgrade it via Software Updater:

or run command in terminal to install (or upgrade) gnome twitch:

sudo apt-get install gnome-twitch

Uninstall:

You can remove PPA repositories via Software & Updates -> Other Software tab.

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

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove gnome-twitch

In Howtos, News Gnome Twitch, Twitch Client

How to Install 0 A.D. alpha 23 in Ubuntu 18.04/16.04

Last updated: May 18, 2018

0 A.D. PPA

A new release of the free, open-source real-time strategy game of ancient warfare, 0 A.D. Alpha 23 “Ken Wood”, was released a day ago. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 17.10, Ubuntu 16.04.

New features in 0 A.D. Alpha 23 according to the release note:

New Civilization: Kushites
Mod Downloader
Cavalry and Spartan Building Models
Combine Victory Conditions
Attack Range Visualization
Diplomacy Colors
Destruction Damage
Unit Information Dialog
AI Behavior
Lobby Authentication to prevent impersonation
Nomad Mode on all Random Maps
New Random Maps: Lower Nubia, Jebel Barkal, Elephantine, Fields of Meroë, Hellas, Dodecanese, Scythian Rivulet

How to Install 0 A.D. alpha 23 in Ubuntu:

The Wildfire Games team offers an official PPA that contains the latest packages for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 17.10, and their derivatives.

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

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:wfg/0ad

Type your password (no visual feedback while typing due to security reason) when prompts and hit Enter.

2. Then upgrade the game from an existing release via Software Updater:

Or simply run commands to update and install the game:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install 0ad 0ad-data

Uninstall:

Purge the PPA via the following command will remove the PPA as well as downgrade 0 A.D. to its stock version in your Ubuntu:

sudo apt-get install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:wfg/0ad

If you still want to remove the game, either use your system package manager or run command:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove 0ad 0ad-data

In Howtos, News 0 A.D., game

How to Install Mixxx 2.1 in Ubuntu 18.04/16.04

Last updated: May 15, 2018

Free DJ software Mixxx reached the new major 2.1 release recently. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 17.10, Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 14.04 via PPA.

Mixxx 2.1 release highlights:

Graphical interface scales for high resolution screens
Overhauled Deere and LateNight skins
New Tango skin
Resizable waveforms
Effects are synchronized to the tempo
Effects are processed post-fader and post-crossfader and can be previewed in headphones
One metaknob per effect with customizable parameter control for intuitive use of effect chains
Nine new effects: Autopan, Biquad Equalizer, Biquad Full Kill Equalizer, Loudness Contour, Metronome, Parametric Equalizer, Phaser, Stereo Balance, Tremolo
Loaded effects and their parameters are saved and restored when Mixxx restarts
More transparent sounding equalizers (Biquad Equalizer and Biquad Full Kill Equalizer)
Improved scratching sounds with jog wheels, vinyl control, and dragging waveforms with the mouse
Simplified looping and beatjump controls
Configurable rows of 8 samplers with up to 8 rows available for a total of 64 samplers
Files loaded to samplers are reloaded when Mixxx restarts
Improved volume normalization algorithm (EBU-R 128)
Filter library table by crates
Sort musical keys in library table by circle of fifths
Write metadata tags back to audio files
New JavaScript library for controller mapping
Configure multiple Internet broadcasting stations and use multiple stations at the same time
Broadcast and record microphones with direct monitoring and latency compensation
Broadcast and record from an external mixer
Booth output with independent gain knob for using sound cards with 6 output channels without an external mixer
Prevent screensaver from starting while Mixxx is running
CUP (Cue And Play) cue button mode
Time remaining and time elapsed now take into account the tempo fader
Clicking cover art now shows it full size in a separate window
and of course, lots and lots of bug fixes.

Install Mixxx 2.1 in Ubuntu:

The official Mixxx PPA contains the new release packages for all current Ubuntu releases.

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

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mixxx/mixxx

Input your password (no visual feedback while typing due to security reason) when it prompts and hit Enter to continue.

2. If an old version of Mixxx was installed on your system, upgrade the DJ software using Software Updater:

Or run commands one by one in terminal to install or upgrade the software:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install mixxx

Uninstall:

You can easily remove the software by running command in terminal:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove mixxx

And remove the PPA repository via Software & Updates utility under Other Software tab.

In Howtos, News DJ software, Mixxx

Replace Left Panel with Mac OS Style Dock Launcher in Ubuntu 18.04

Last updated: January 26, 2019

For those who want to change the look and feel of the left panel “Ubuntu Dock” in Ubuntu 18.04, Dash to Dock is a Gnome extension that replaces left panel with Mac OS style Dock application launcher.

Dash to Dock is a popular Gnome extension that Ubuntu Dock (the default left panel) is forked from. With it, you can get Ubuntu 18.04 desktop looks like: