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Video Cutting App ‘VidCutter’ 6.0 Released with New Features

Last updated: August 3, 2018

Video cutting and joining software VidCutter 6.0 was released a day ago with great new features and performance improvements.

VidCutter 6.0 release highlights:

  • Add video filters -> BLACKDETECT in app menu: create clips via black frame detection.
  • Automatic chapters created per clip in your list
  • Add “Edit chapter name” option to right-click on a click option.
  • External media file joins issue were fixed.
  • Added new “Enable use of PBOs” setting under the Video category
  • OSD (on-screen display) text defined for all user actions + standardised OSD case and wording/format.
  • Improvements to Snap, Appimage, Flatpak, and UI.

How to Install VidCutter 6.0 in Ubuntu:

The Appimage is available for download at the release page (see the previous link). And the snap package is on the way.

To install the traditional .deb packages, VidCutter 6.0 is available via the developer’s PPA for Ubuntu 18.04 and Ubuntu 16.04.

1. Open terminal by either pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard or searching for “terminal” from software launcher. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ozmartian/apps

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

2. Then install VidCutter either via Synaptic Package Manager or by running 2 commands in terminal:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install vidcutter

Uninstall:

You can remove the developer’s PPA repository via Software & Updates -> Other Software:

And remove VidCutter .deb package via command:

sudo apt remove --autoremove vidcutter
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Install Opera Web Browser Easily via Snap in Ubuntu

Last updated: March 14, 2025

The latest Opera web browser now is available to install easily via Snap package in Ubuntu.

Snap is containerised software package, designed to work securely within most Linux desktop. It bundles most required dependencies and auto-updates itself.

Opera announced its snap packages for Linux users, so that you can:

  • install Opera (snap) in Ubuntu Software.
  • always has up-to-date Opera application (since it auto-update itself)

For Ubuntu 16.04 and Ubuntu 18.04 users you can now install Opera snap in Ubuntu Software (or App Center for Ubuntu 24.04 and loater):

Or run command in terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) instead to install the snap:

In addition to Ubuntu 16.04 users who never installed snap package, you may need to install snapd first via command:

sudo apt install snapd snapd-xdg-open

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HPLIP 3.18.7 Released with New Printers & Fedora 28 Support

Last updated: September 20, 2018

HPLIP 3.18.7, a new monthly release of HP developed Linux drivers for HP inkjet and laser based printers, was released a few hours ago.

HPLIP 3.18.7 added 64-bit Fedora 28, and following new printers support:

  • HP Smart Tank 350
  • HP Smart Tank Wireless 450
  • HP Ink Tank 310
  • HP Ink Tank Wireless 410
  • HP Ink Tank 115
  • HP DesignJet Z6 24in
  • HP DesignJet Z6 44in
  • HP DesignJet Z6dr 44in
  • HP DesignJet Z9 24in
  • HP DesignJet Z9 44in
  • HP DesignJet Z9dr 44in

The new release also added support for CDS feature and fixed a few bugs:

  • Supplies and status information are not displayed in the hp-toolbox for Ruby
  • HPLIP Google Reported Issues related to models.dat file on PPD mapping
  • HPLIP Google Reported Syntactical Issues related to models.dat file

Download / Install HPLIP 3.18.7 in Ubuntu:

To install the software, download the package “hplip-3.18.7.run” from the link below:

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

cd ~/Downloads/ && chmod +x hplip-3.18.7.run && ./hplip-3.18.7.run

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

Then 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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Mesa 18.1.5 Available to Install in Ubuntu 18.04 via PPA

Last updated: July 31, 2018

For open-source graphic driver users, the latest Mesa 18.1.5 now is available in Ubuntu-X team PPA for Ubuntu 18.04.

Mesa 18.1.5 was released a few days ago with RADV Radeon Vulkan driver fixes, a number of Intel ANV Vulkan driver fixes, and some fixes to i965, RadeonSI, and even R600g driver.

You can now install Mesa 18.1.5 in Ubuntu 18.04 via following steps:

1. Open terminal by either pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard or searching for ‘Terminal’ from software launcher. When it opens, run command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntu-x-swat/updates

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

2. After adding the PPA, do system update via command:

sudo apt-get dist-upgrade

apt-get update is not required any more in Ubuntu 18.04 since adding PPA automatically refreshes system repositories.

3. Finally check your driver version via command:

glxinfo | grep "OpenGL version"

Uninstall:

To restore changes and downgrade to the default drives shipped in Ubuntu 18.04, run command:

sudo apt-get install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:ubuntu-x-swat/updates
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Gscan2PDF 2.1.3 Adds timezone / time info in PDF Metadata

Last updated: July 29, 2018

Gscan2pdf, a GTK tool to produce PDF / DjVu from scanned document, reached the 2.1.3 release a few days ago.

Gscan2pdf 2.1.3 closed feature request “gscan2pdf always set the time to 0 UTC“, by optionally including timezone and time information in metadata of PDF or DjVU.

The new release also contains following changes:

  • Only run test if session file can be deserialised. This fixes t/175_open_session2.t fails on i686 machine.
  • Don’t unnecessarily use tiffcp on single-page TIFFs.
  • Update to German translation.

How to Install gscan2pdf 2.1.3 in Ubuntu:

For Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, and derivatives, gscan2pdf 2.1.3 can be easily installed via its official PPA repository.

1. Open terminal by either pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard or using software launcher. When it oepns,run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:jeffreyratcliffe/ppa

Type your password (no asterisks 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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How to Install the New Ubuntu Theme ‘Yaru’ in Ubuntu 18.04

Last updated: July 28, 2018

Yaru is the new Ubuntu theme that will be used as default in next Ubuntu releases.

Yaru, originally named “Communitheme“, is based on the GNOME Adwaita theme. The new theme contains GTK3 theme, Gnome shell theme, and icon theme. And Ubuntu 18.10 will ship with the new theme.

For Ubuntu 18.04 users who want to try the new Ubuntu theme, do:

  • search for and install communitheme in Ubuntu Software.

  • or launch terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run command: 
    snap install communitheme

Once installed, reboot and choose login with the ‘Communitheme’ session and enjoy.

In addition for those who don’t prefer Snap package, the new Ubuntu theme has a PPA repository.

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The First Point Release Ubuntu 18.04.1 Available to Download

Last updated: July 27, 2018

The first point release of Ubuntu 18.04 LTS was finally released.

Except for Ubuntu 18.04.1 Desktop, Server, and Cloud, Ubuntu Budgie 18.04.1 LTS, Kubuntu 18.04.1 LTS, Ubuntu MATE 18.04.1 LTS, Lubuntu 18.04.1 LTS, Ubuntu Kylin 18.04.1 LTS, and Xubuntu 18.04.1 LTS are also now available.

Ubuntu 18.04.1 come with updated Kernel and hardware support, many sever and cloud related fixes, installation and upgrade bug-fixes, and desktop fixes that include:

  • Make audio work on Lenovo machines with dual audio codecs
  • Upgrade Gnome Shell, GDM, and some other core apps to 3.28.2
  • Fix login fails (blank purple screen and mouse pointer only)
  • Ubuntu Software improvements for Snap packages.
  • New thunderbolt panel in System Settings (under Devices)
  • And see the change summary for details.

How to get Ubuntu 18.04.1:

For Ubuntu 18.04 users, simply launch Software Updater and install all system updates will bring you to Ubuntu 18.04.1.

For Ubuntu 16.04 and Ubuntu 17.10 users, see the official how to upgrade documentation.

For the iso images, go to http://releases.ubuntu.com/bionic/

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PyCharm 2018.2 Released! How to Install it in Ubuntu 18.04

Last updated: July 26, 2018

PyCharm python IDE 2018.2 was released yesterday. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 16.04.

PyCharm 2018.2 release highlights:

  • Fully supports pipenv: easily create projects with pipenv, create a pipfile, and have PyCharm update it for you when you install packages.
  • Improved support for pytest: code completion and inspections are now support for pytest fixtures.
  • Redesigned quick documentation for easy use and better look.

See the feature video for more about PyCharm 2018.2:

How to Install PyCharm 2018.2 in Ubuntu:

It’s quite easy to install the latest PyCharm in Ubuntu since JetBrains offers the official snap packages in snap store.

Simply open Ubuntu Software and search for PyCharm. You’ll see the community, professional, and educational packages are available.

You can also install the software by running command in terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T):

snap install pycharm-community

For professional version, replace pycharm-community with pycharm-professional in command.

Note for Ubuntu 16.04 users first time installing a snap package, make sure if the snapd is installed via command:

sudo apt install snapd snapd-xdg-open

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Sigil 0.9.10 Released! How to Install it in Ubuntu 18.04

Last updated: June 18, 2021

Sigil epub ebook editor 0.9.10 was released earlier today with new features and various bug-fixes.

According to the changelog.txt, Sigil 0.9.10 adds following new features:

  • allow plugins to supply their own icon (plugin.png 48×48) for use on the Quick Launch Toolbar icons
  • extend plugin interface to include the status of the epub inside Sigil (modified or saved)
  • extend plugin interface to include the path to the saved epub file or the null string if never saved
  • extend Insert->Special Characters to include both a Greek letter panel and a mathematical symbol panel
  • add support for calibre:series and calibre:series_index to Metadata Editor for epub2
  • add support for calibre:title_sort to Metadata Editor for epub2
  • add support for clicking internal links in Preview to load the proper destination tab
  • add support for loading Qt’s base translation files if present. Allows buttons on native qt dialogs to be translated (Windows users may need to manually copy newer qtbase_xx.qm files to Sigil’s translation directory if they didn’t exist in Qt5.6.2)
  • allow user to add custom css rules to Preview/Book View by creating a file called “custom_preview_style.css” in the Sigil preferences folder (not responsible for custom css and ebook css fighting with each other)

There are also various bugs fixed in the release, see changelog file for details in Sigil github page.

How to Install Sigil 0.9.10 in Ubuntu:

The new release can be easily installed in Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Linux Mint 19/18 via PPA (unofficial) repository.

1. Open terminal by either pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard or searching for “Terminal” from software launcher. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/sigil

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

2. Then you can upgrade Sigil editor from an existing release via Software Updater:

Or install /upgrade Sigil via commands:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install sigil

Uninstall:

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

To remove Sigil epub editor, either use system package manager or run command in terminal:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove sigil sigil-data
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Liferea News Feed Reader 1.12.4 Released (How to Install)

Last updated: July 24, 2018

Liferea (Linux Feed Reader) 1.12.4 was released a day ago. The new release brings smaller bug and security fixes.

Changes in Liferea 1.12.4 include:

  • Add installable plugin to change accels
  • Fix segfault on date out of range
  • Fix Free Music Archive link in default OPMLs
  • Switch from persistent to session-only cookies
  • Fix unread count of vfolder
  • Add etra keywords in .desktop file (syndication; rss; atom)
  • Fix updating counters for remote sources
  • Updated cookie usage hint in FAQ

How to Install Liferea 1.12.4 in Ubuntu:

For Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Linux Mint 19, 18.x, the new release is available in a third-party PPA repository.

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:ubuntuhandbook1/apps

Type your password (no asterisks feedback while typing) when it prompts and hit Enter.

2. Then upgrade Liferea via Software Updater utility:

or run commands one by one to install the Linux feed reader:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install liferea

Finally launch the news reader from your application launcher and enjoy! (Log out and log back if you don’t see the icon).

Uninstall Liferea:

As the PPA also contains many other software packages, you may remove it by launching Software & Updates and navigating to Other Software tab.

If you want to remove the news reader software, either use your system package manager or run command in terminal:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove liferea
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