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GIMP 2.8.22 Released with Various Fixes [Ubuntu PPA]

Last updated: May 12, 2017

GIMP, The GNU Image Manipulation Program, got another maintenance release for the 2.8 series a few hours ago with drawing performance improvement and 10 years old CVE bug fixed.

GIMP 2.8.22 release highlights:

improve drawing performance in single window mode, especially with pixmap themes
Fix CVE bug in the ICO plug-in which allowed context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via an ICO file with an InfoHeader containing a Height of zero.
Avoid creating wrong layer group structure when importing PSD files
Prevent a crash in PDF plug-in if images or resolution are large
stop parsing invalid PCX files early and prevent a segmentation fault
Fixes for Mac OS, translation updates and build fixes.
See the changelog for details.

How to Install GIMP 2.8.22 via PPA in Ubuntu:

Otto Meier promised to maintain the latest GIMP packages in the PPA repository, so far, available for Ubuntu 14.04, Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 16.10, Ubuntu 17.04.

~~Although GIMP 2.8.22 is NOT available in the PPA at the moment of writing (be patient, there’s always a small delay for maintainer to test and upload the packages)~~, you can add the PPA via following steps:

1. Open terminal via Ctrl+Alt+T or by searching for “Terminal” from start menu. When it opens, run command:

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

Type in your password (no visual feedback due to security reason) when it asks and hit Enter.

GIMP PPA for 16.04

2. After that, upgrade GIMP once the new release is published in the PPA:

For those who want to build GIMP from the source, grab the tarball from HERE.

How to Restore:

For any reason, you can easily restore GIMP to the official build (old) in main Ubuntu repositories, by running command to purge the PPA:

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

In Howtos, News gimp, gimp PPA

How to Install Linux 4.11 Kernel in Ubuntu / Linux Mint

Last updated: May 7, 2017

Linux 4.11 Kernel was officially released on April 30th. Linus Torvalds announced in lkml.org:

So after that extra week with an rc8, things were pretty calm, and I’m much happier releasing a final 4.11 now.

We still had various smaller fixes the last week, but nothing that made me go “hmm..”. Shortlog appended for people who want to peruse the details, but it’s a mix all over, with about half being drivers (networking dominates, but some sound fixlets too), with the rest being soem arch updates, generic networking, and filesystem (nfs[d]) fixes. But it’s all really small, which is what I like to see the last week of the release cycle.

…

Linux 4.11 Kernel release highlights:

Enable frame-buffer compression by default for Skylake device and newer.
Adds DP MST audio support in Intel’s DRM driver.
Initial Geminilake graphics support.
ASPEED AST2500 display support.
Better Turbo Boost Max 3.0 support.
New ARM SoCs and boards support.
Realtek ALC1220 is now supported
Radeon/AMDGPU and various other DRM driver updates.
Improvements and updates to KVM, Xen, TurboStat, Raspberry Pi, TPM2, and more.

How to Install Kernel 4.11 in Ubuntu:

The mainline kernel PPA built the Linux 4.11 build .deb packages a few days later, available for download at the link below:

The mainline kernels do not include any Ubuntu-provided drivers or patches. They are not supported and are not appropriate for production use.

Download Linux 4.11 Kernel (.deb)

You can also use UKUU, a simple graphical tool to install latest Linux Kernels in Ubuntu.

To get Linux 4.11 Kernel from command console, run following commands one by one:

for 64-bit system:

cd /tmp/

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.11/linux-headers-4.11.0-041100_4.11.0-041100.201705041534_all.deb

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.11/linux-headers-4.11.0-041100-generic_4.11.0-041100.201705041534_amd64.deb

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.11/linux-image-4.11.0-041100-generic_4.11.0-041100.201705041534_amd64.deb

sudo dpkg -i *.deb

for 32-bit system:

cd /tmp/

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.11/linux-headers-4.11.0-041100_4.11.0-041100.201705041534_all.deb

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.11/linux-headers-4.11.0-041100-generic_4.11.0-041100.201705041534_i386.deb

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.11/linux-image-4.11.0-041100-generic_4.11.0-041100.201705041534_i386.deb

sudo dpkg -i *.deb

After installed these debs, restart and enjoy!

Uninstall:

To remove Linux Kernel 4.11, first restart and select boot with previous kernel (from Grub boot-loader -> Advanced Options) and then run command:

sudo apt-get remove linux-headers-4.11* linux-image-4.11*

In Howtos, News kernel, Linux Kernel

MuseScore 2.1 Released! New Input Modes & Huge List of Fixes

Last updated: May 2, 2017

MuseScore 2.1, a free music notation software, was released today with new note input modes and a huge list of bug-fixes.

According to the release note, MuseScore 2.1 brings than 350 new features, improvements, and bug fixes. It mainly features:

New note input modes:
- Rhythmic input: enter rhythm first, pitches later.
- Semi-real-time MIDI input – a limited form of real-time input.
Much better support for SFZ sample libraries in Zerberus synthesizer
New “Regroup Rhythms” command under Layout menu
And so many bug fixes, improvements.
There are also known incompatibilities with the 2.0 release. See the release note.

How to Install MuseScore 2.1 in Ubuntu:

MuseScore has an official stable PPA for Ubuntu 14.04, Ubuntu 16.04, and higher.

Though the PPA is not ready for the new release at the moment, you can download the AppImage from the link below:

Download MuseScore AppImage

Then make the file executable from its context menu -> Properties window:

Finally run the file to start MuseScore 2.1:

run MuseScore AppImage

In Howtos, News free scorewriter, MuseScore

Ubuntu 12.04 LTS Has Reached the End of Life

Last updated: April 29, 2017

Ubuntu 12.04

Ubuntu 12.04 Precise Pangolin LTS (Long-Support Term) reached the end of its life yesterday on April 28 2017.

The news team announced on the Ubuntu Fridge a month ago:

Ubuntu announced its 12.04 (Precise Pangolin) release almost 5 years ago, on April 26, 2012. As with the earlier LTS releases, Ubuntu committed to ongoing security and critical fixes for a period of 5 years. The support period is now nearing its end and Ubuntu 12.04 will reach end of life on Friday, April 28th. At that time, Ubuntu Security Notices will no longer include information or updated packages for Ubuntu 12.04.

If you want to upgrade your Ubuntu 12.04 LTS installation, you may first upgrade to Ubuntu 14.04 LTS, supported until April 2019, and then to Ubuntu 16.04 LTS, supported supported until April 2021.

For users who can’t upgrade immediately, Canonical has announced an extended support package for Ubuntu Advantage customers:

Following the end-of-life of Ubuntu 12.04 LTS, Canonical is offering Ubuntu 12.04 ESM (Extended Security Maintenance), which provides important security fixes for the kernel and the most essential user space packages in Ubuntu 12.04. These updates are delivered in a secure, private archive exclusively available to Ubuntu Advantage customers.

All Ubuntu 12.04 LTS users are encouraged to upgrade to Ubuntu 14.04 LTS or Ubuntu 16.04 LTS. But for those who cannot upgrade immediately, Ubuntu 12.04 ESM updates will help ensure the on-going security and integrity of Ubuntu 12.04 systems.

Users interested in Ubuntu 12.04 ESM updates can purchase Ubuntu Advantage at http://buy.ubuntu.com/

In News Ubuntu 12.04

Firefox 53 Released with Stability Improvements

Last updated: April 20, 2017

Firefox 53

Mozilla Firefox has reached the 53.0 release. It features two new ‘compact’ themes and separate process for graphics compositing.

Firefox 53.0 release highlights:

Graphics stability for Windows users with compositor process separation (Quantum Compositor)
Two new ‘compact’ themes available, dark and light
Reader Mode now displays estimated reading time for the page
New visual design for audio and video controls
Drop Windows XP, Vista, and 32-bit Mac OS X support.
Drop Linux support for processors older than Pentium 4 and AMD Opteron
Various security fixes. See the release note

Install Firefox 53 in Ubuntu:

The new release will be made into official Ubuntu repository soon, available for Ubuntu 12.04, Ubuntu 14.04, Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 16.10, Ubuntu 17.04, and derivatives.

Just keep your Ubuntu up-to-date by installing regular updates via Software Updater, and you’ll get Firefox 53 once it’s published in THIS PAGE.

For non-install version, go to the official FTP download page:

Download Firefox 53

Grab the Linux package, extract and run executable file to launch Firefox 53.

In News Firefox

Skype for Linux 5.1 Beta Released [Linux Repository]

Last updated: April 4, 2017

A new beta release, Skype for Linux 5.1, was announced a few hours ago.

There are many new features and improvements coming with Skype for Linux Beta 5.1. However, only following changes are mentioned in the announcement:

Updated to Electron 1.6.2
Improved installer scripts that register the Skype update repository for you
Many smaller improvements and bugfixes

Skype for Linux Beta

How to Install Skype 5.1 in Ubuntu / Linux Mint:

Skype website offers DEB packages for download at the link below:

Download Skype for Linux

You can also add the official Skype repository to install and receive updates via Software Updater utility, by following the steps below:

1. Open terminal by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T or searching for “terminal” from the Dash. When it opens, run command:

dpkg -s apt-transport-https > /dev/null || bash -c "sudo apt-get update; sudo apt-get install apt-transport-https -y"

Type in your password when it prompts and hit Enter. The command will check if the ‘apt-transport-https’ package is installed.

2. Run command to install the GPG key:

curl https://repo.skype.com/data/SKYPE-GPG-KEY | sudo apt-key add -

3. Add Skype repository to your system:

echo "deb [arch=amd64] https://repo.skype.com/deb stable main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/skype-stable.list

After adding the repository, you can install Skype for Linux either via Synaptic Package Manager or by running command:

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install skypeforlinux

And future updates will be available in Software Updater along with other system updates.

How to Uninstall:

To remove the Skype repository, go to System Settings -> Software & Updates -> Other Software tab.

In Howtos, News

Avidemux 2.6.19 Improved HEVC & 10bits Support [Howto-Install]

Last updated: April 4, 2019

Avidemux video editor

Avidemux video editor has reached the 2.6.19 release a few days ago. It features better support for HEVC in mpeg TS and 10bits codec.

Avidemux 2.6.19 changelog includes:

All filters with preview have better navigation dialogs
Delogo filter UI redone
Fixed changeFps/resampleFps seeking
HEVC support improved
Flv/Demux : Support large files (rcdrone)
Allow EAC3 as external audio track
General usability cleanup
Allow using the last read folder as default save folder
2 pass encoding dialog cleanup
Dynamically enable/disable menu
Customizable keyboard shortcut
Allow reverting page up/down
Better support for 10bits
Translation updates
Updated ffmpeg libs to 3.0.7

avidemux 2.6 ubuntu 14.04

How to Install Avidemux 2.6.19 in Ubuntu:

The ~~GetDeb repository~~ has build the new release for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 16.10, and their derivatives.

1. To add the repository, open terminal via Ctrl+Alt+T or searching for “terminal” from start menu, and run command:

sudo sh -c 'echo "deb http://archive.getdeb.net/ubuntu $(lsb_release -sc)-getdeb apps" >> /etc/apt/sources.list.d/getdeb.list'

For Linux Mint 18, add the GetDeb repository via Software Sources -> Additional Repositories

2. Then refresh, search for and install avidemux2.6-qt package via Synaptic Package Manager.

Or run commands in terminal to check for updates and install Avidemux 2.6.19:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install avidemux2.6-qt

How to Uninstall:

To remove the package, either use Synaptic Package Manager or run command:

sudo apt-get remove avidemux2.6-qt && sudo apt-get autoremove

And remove the repository by going to Software & Updates -> Other Software tab.

In Howtos, News avidemux video editor, video editor

Vivaldi Browser 1.8 Released! Features Advanced History

Last updated: March 29, 2017

The Vivaldi web browser has reached the new stable 1.8 release earlier today features new advanced History.

The start page contains a new history tab, that gives you a list, daily, weekly, or monthly history overviews. There are also graphs and a color-coded heat map overlay showing peaks of online activity and key browsing trends.

There is also an option to search with a specified date range.

A history icon has also been added into the left Side Panel provides a list of visited URLs. The Vivaldi team announced that “Vivaldi doesn’t collect your history data. All of this information is strictly private and local to your computer.”

Other features in Vivaldi 1.8:

create notes with drag and drop
auto-muting options for tabs.
Option to set the home page to Start page.
Ability to open links in the current tab from the right-click menu.
An option to display hibernated tabs in grayscale.
Matches are highlighted in the address bar drop-down menu.
Image search from the right-click menu.

Download / Install Vivaldi 1.8:

The DEB package is available for download at the link below:

Vivaldi Download Page

If you have a previous version of Vivaldi browser installed, you should be able to upgrade it via Software Updater:

If you don’t see it, re-enable the Vivaldi repository via command in terminal:

gksudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list.d/vivaldi.list

un-comment or add (if empty) the following line and save it:

deb http://repo.vivaldi.com/stable/deb/ stable main

In Howtos, News Vivaldi

Plank 0.11.4 “Eddy” Released! How to Install it via PPA

Last updated: March 28, 2017

Plank 0.11.4, another maintenance release of 0.11.x “Eddy”, was released a dozen hours ago.

The 0.11.4 release of this simplest dock fixed underscores in some menu items not being shown, and plank adding an extra icon when trying to empty trash. See the changelog:

Fix underscores not being shown in some menu items (LP: #1662968)
Make window-manager aware that empty-trash dialog is part of plank (LP: #1652653)
Fix build with -Werror=pointer-to-int-cast, -Werror=format, -Werror=implicit-function-declaration
Generate manpage with help2man
Update appdata
Update translations

plank

How to Install Plank 0.11.4 in Ubuntu via PPA:

The Plank Testing PPA has built the packages for Ubuntu 14.04, Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 16.10, and Ubuntu 17.04. The testing package works well enough that it shouldn’t be a problem for daily use.

1. Open terminal via Ctrl+Alt+T or searching for “terminal” from start menu. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ricotz/docky

plank docy ppa

2. After typing your password and hitting enter. Run commands to update and install plank:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install plank

Tip: Although the package marked as 0.11.3+bzr1597, it contains all the changes in plank 0.11.4.

How to Remove:

The PPA can be removed by going to Software & Updates -> Other Software tab. And to remove plank, run command:

sudo apt-get remove plank

In Howtos, News Lightweight Dock Launcher, Plank

Final Beta of Ubuntu 17.04 Zesty Zapus is Available For Download

Last updated: March 24, 2017

The final beta of Ubuntu 17.04 Zesty Zapus has been released earlier today. Features images for Desktop, Server, Cloud, and opt-in flavors, including Kubuntu 17.04, Lubuntu 17.04, Ubuntu Budgie 17.04, Ubuntu Gnome 17.04, UbuntuKylin 17.04, Ubuntu MATE 17.04, Ubuntu Studio 17.04, Xubuntu 17.04.

This Zesty Zapus snapshot includes the v4.10 kernel and Mesa 17. Ubuntu 17.04 download link http://releases.ubuntu.com/17.04/

Kubuntu 17.04 Beta 2 highlights:

Plasma 5.9, KDE Applications 16.12.3, KDE Frameworks 5.31
Calligra Office Suite updated to Qt/KF5 version 3.0.0.1
Krita latest bugfix release – after this popular and advanced digital painting application was split from Calligra.
K3B updated to a Qt5/KF5 snapshot of the version to be included in KDE’s next applications release.
Okular PDF and document reader is now Qt/KF5 in apps 16.12
Kdevelop is now the most recent bugfix release of the new version 5.0.x series.
Numerous application and translation updates from KDE.

Download Kubuntu 17.04

Download Lubuntu 17.04

Ubuntu Budgie 17.04 Beta 2 highlights:

latest budgie-desktop stable v10.2.9.
GNOME 3.24 applications together with GTK+ 3.24 Mutter window manager
latest budgie-welcome app with our browser ballot screen and Material theme makeovers
AppIndicator support is now default
Terminix is the default terminal
Many new GNOME based applications are included by default
17.04 Community Contest Winning Wallpapers
Gtk Theme QT apps out of the box.

Download Ubuntu Budgie 17.04

Ubuntu Gnome 17.04 highlights:

Gnome 3.24
Night Light feature that automatically reduce the blue light emitted by your computer screen at sunset
The Calendar app now has a Week view.
Flatpak 0.8 is now installed by default.
LibreOffice 5.3

Download Ubuntu Gnome 17.04

Ubuntu Kylin 17.04 highlights:

Gnome Apps updated to 3.24 excluding Nautilus file manager, Terminal, Evolution, and Software.
Released foxitreader 1.0.1, available in Kylin Software Center.

Download Ubuntu Kylin 17.04

Ubuntu MATE 17.04 highlights:

MATE Desktop 1.18.0
The entire MATE Desktop suite of applications and components is now GTK3+ only!
Added full support for libinput
Updated version of core apps
Dropped 32-bit PowerPC support, completely!

Download Ubuntu MATE 17.04

Download Ubuntu Studio 17.04

Xubuntu 17.04 highlights:

Thunar crash fixes while renaming,copying bugs
xfce4-taskmanager has ability to click on window to select process
xfce4-notifyd includes persistence support.
xubuntu-default-settings include new file templates included – OpenDocument Writer, OpenDocument Spreadsheet

Download XUbuntu 17.04

via: fridge.ubuntu.com

In News Ubuntu 17.04