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SMPlayer 18.5 Released! How to Install it in Ubuntu 18.04

Last updated: May 23, 2018

SMplayer

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.

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GIMP 2.10.2 Released with HEIF Support (How to Upgrade)

Last updated: May 22, 2018

GIMP extra color palettes

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

Last updated: May 19, 2018

Gnome Twitch App

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
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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:

upgrade 0 A.D.

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
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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.

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

Last updated: January 26, 2019

gnome shell

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:

You can now install the extension from Ubuntu Software:

1. First time to install a Gnome extension? Then you need to install an add-on for your web browser:

click install add-on for Google Chrome, Chromium, Vivaldi

click install add-on for Firefox

click install add-on for Opera

Then open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run command to install native connector get the add-ons to work.

sudo apt-get install chrome-gnome-shell

2. Then go to Dash to Dock extension page in your browser, and turn on the toggle to install it.

The left panel changes to dock launcher once you installed the extension.

To change its appearance, right-click on Show Applications icon or use Gnome Tweak Tool to go to the settings.

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Opera 53 Released with Tab, Address Bar Improvements

Last updated: May 10, 2018

opera web browser

Opera web browser 53 stable was released earlier today with improvements to tab’s display and the address bar.

Opera 53 optimized and made the tabs’ favicons more visible when a plenty of tabs are open. And click on a tab will make it more visible and easier to manage.

Also there’s some fresh, sharpened coloring done to the address bar.

How to Install Opera 53 in Ubuntu:

The opera website offers official .deb binaries for Ubuntu Linux, available for download at the link below:

Download Opera for Linux

If you have a previous release installed, and enabled the official Opera Linux repository, upgrade it via Software Updater:

To manually add the Opera for Linux repository, open terminal via Ctrl+Alt+T or from app launcher, when it opens, run commands:

1. 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 your system package manager or upgrade the browser via Software Updater.

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FireFox 60 Released with YubiKey Support

Last updated: May 9, 2018

Firefox 55

Mozilla Firefox 60 was released a few hours ago with new enterprise features, Web Authentication / YubiKey support, and new tab enhancements.

“Firefox 60 offers something for everyone and a little something extra for everyone who deploys Firefox in an enterprise environment. This release includes changes that give you more content and more ways to customize your New Tab/Firefox Home. It also introduces support for the Web Authentication API, which means you can log in to websites in Firefox with USB tokens like YubiKey.”

Firefox 60 release highlights:

  • Added a policy engine that allows customized Firefox deployments in enterprise environments.
  • Enhancements to New Tab / Firefox Home.
  • Redesigned Cookies and Site Storage section in Preferences
  • Added support for Web Authentication API.
  • Applied Quantum CSS to render browser UI
  • Added an option for Linux users to show or hide page titles in a bar at the top of the browser.
  • Improved WebRTC audio performance and playback for Linux users
  • Enhanced camera privacy indicators.
  • And various security fixes.

Install / Upgrade in Ubuntu:

Ubuntu offers the latest Firefox packages though the updates and security repositories.

Once Firefox 60 packages (check the build page) are published in the repositories, you can install or upgrade it via Software Updater:

upgrade firefox

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How to Install qBittorrent 4.1 in Ubuntu 18.04

Last updated: May 28, 2018

qBittorrent

qBittorrent reached the new major 4.1.0 release a few days ago. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 17.10, Ubuntu 16.04.

qBittorrent 4.1.0 release highlights:

  • Add “Coalesce reads & writes” checkbox in advanced options
  • Smart Filter for RSS
  • Possibility to configure at which speed a torrent is considered slow.
  • When creating a torrent you can choose to preserve the file order
  • A new, redesigned and refactored WebAPI
  • Switch built-in Web UI html to HTML5
  • Allow to disable Stacktrace support
  • Various other Web UI improvements.
  • Various code optimizations and bug-fixes. Read NEWS page for details.

How to Install qBittorrent 4.1 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.

upgrade qBittorrent

Or run commands below to install /upgrade it from terminal:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install qbittorrent

3. (Optional) To uninstall the 4.1 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
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How to Install Transmission 2.94 in Ubuntu 18.04/17.10

Last updated: May 6, 2018

Transmission BitTorrent

Transmission, the default BitTorrent client, reached the 2.94 release a few days ago. Now you can install it in Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 17.10, Ubuntu 18.04 easily via PPA.

Transmission 2.94 is a bug-fix release with following changes:

  • Fix building against LibreSSL
  • Fix building against mbedTLS
  • Fix torrents ETA calculation
  • Fix cross-compilation issues caused by miniupnpc configuration test
  • Fix bad downloaded percentage in DetailsDialog for Qt client
  • Fix tracker error XSS in inspector for web client
  • Fix torrent name HTML-escaping in trackers inspector tab for web client.

How to Upgrade Transmission in Ubuntu:

Transmission has a stable PPA that so far maintains the latest packages for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 17.10, and Ubuntu 18.04.

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:transmissionbt/ppa

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

2. Then launch Software Updater (update manager) and install updates for Transmission to upgrade the software:

How to Restore:

To restore to the default transmission installed by default, run command to purge the PPA as well as downgrade the software:

sudo apt-get install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:transmissionbt/ppa
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