HPLIP 3.21.2 Released with Fedora 33 and Lots of New Printers Support

Last updated: February 20, 2021

HP Linux Imaging and Printing

HPLIP, HP developed printer and scanner drivers for Linux, released version 3.21.2 with new Linux distributions and devices support.

According to the release note, HPLIP 3.21.2 add following new Distro’s support:

  • Fedora 33
  • Manjaro 20.2
  • Debian 10.7
  • RHEL 8.3
  • RHEL 7.7
  • RHEL 7.8
  • RHEL 7.9

The new release also added a lot of new printers support:

  • HP LaserJet Enterprise M406dn, M407dn
  • HP LaserJet Enterprise MFP M430f, MFP M431f
  • HP LaserJet Managed E40040dn
  • HP LaserJet Managed MFP E42540f
  • HP Color LaserJet Enterprise M455dn
  • HP Color LaserJet Managed E45028dn
  • HP Color LaserJet Enterprise MFP M480f
  • HP Color LaserJet Managed MFP E47528f
  • HP PageWide XL 3920 MFP
  • HP PageWide XL 4200 Printer
  • HP PageWide XL 4200 Multifunction Printer
  • HP PageWide XL 4700 Printer
  • HP PageWide XL 4700 Multifunction Printer
  • HP PageWide XL 5200 Printer
  • HP PageWide XL 5200 Multifunction Printer
  • HP PageWide XL 8200 Printer
  • HP Laserjet M207d, M208d, M209d, M210d, M212d, M211d, M209dw, M209dwe, M210dw, M210dwe, M212dw, M212dwe, M208dw, M207dw, M211dw
  • HP LaserJet MFP M234dw, MFP M234dwe, MFP M233d, MFP M232d, MFP M235d
  • HP LaserJet MFP M237d, MFP M236d, MFP M232dw, MFP M232dwc, MFP M233dw
  • HP LaserJet MFP M236dw, MFP M235dw, MFP M235dwe, MFP M237dwe, MFP M237dw
  • HP LaserJet MFP M232sdn, MFP M233sdn, MFP M236sdn, MFP M234sdn
  • HP LaserJet MFP M234sdne, MFP M235sdn, MFP M235sdne, MFP M237sdne, MFP M237sdn
  • HP LaserJet MFP M232sdw, MFP M233sdw, MFP M236sdw, MFP M234sdw
  • HP LaserJet MFP M234sdwe, MFP M235sdw, MFP M235sdwe, MFP M237sdwe, MFP M237sdw

How to Install HPLIP 3.21.2 in Ubuntu:

1. To install the software, download the package “hplip-3.21.2.run” from the link below:

2. Then open terminal either via Ctrl+Alt+T or by searching for “terminal” from app launcher. When it opens, run command to give executable permission:

chmod +x ~/Downloads/hplip-3.21.2.run

3. Finally run command to start installing the driver:

./Downloads/hplip-3.21.2.run

Follow the terminal output and answer the questions. If everything goes OK, plug or re-plug your HP devices and enjoy!

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How to Install Kodi Media Center 19.0 in Ubuntu 20.04/18.04

Last updated: February 20, 2021

The Kodi media center 19.0 now is available to install via its official Ubuntu PPA.

Kodi 19.0 “Matrix” is a new major release for the open-source home theater software. Though it’s not officially announced at the moment of writing, the PPA packages has been updated, available for Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 20.10, Linux Mint 20.x and derivatives.

What’s New in Kodi 19.0:

There are many new features in the release. And here are some big changes:

  • AV1 Codec support.
  • New color for subtitles and ability to change opacity.
  • static HDR10 and dynamic Dolby Vision HDR support.
  • Move to Python 3 for addons.
  • New functions in the PVR.

How to Install Kodi 19.0 via PPA:

Open terminal either from system app launcher or by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard. When it opens, run following commands one by one to get the new release packages.

1. Add Kodi PPA.

To add the official Kodi PPA, run command in terminal:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:team-xbmc/ppa

Type user password when it asks, with no asterisk feedback, and hit Enter to continue.

2. Install / Update Kodi.

The Software Updater utility will prompt you to run a “partial upgrade” since the dependency packages switched from Python 2 to Python 3. So it’s recommended to install or upgrade Kodi by running terminal commands.

Firstly refresh system package cache, if you’re on Ubuntu 18.04, via command:

sudo apt update

Then install Kodi via command:

sudo apt install kodi

If you’re going to upgrade Kodi, the previous command may not update the add-ons, so I recommend to run apt upgrade instead:

sudo apt upgrade

How to Downgrade:

You can purge the Ubuntu PPA as well as downgrade Kodi to the stock version available in Ubuntu main repositories. To do so, run command:

sudo apt install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:team-xbmc/ppa
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How to Install VLC 3.0.12 via PPA in Ubuntu 20.04 / 18.04 / 20.10

Last updated: February 18, 2021

For those prefer installing app via apt method, there’s now an Ubuntu PPA that contains the latest VLC 3.0.12 deb packages.

VLC 3.0.12 was released a few weeks ago. It features native Apple Silicon support, RIST protocol, YouTube & Vocaroo scripts updates, and various bug-fixes.

The VideoLAN team offers the official Snap package which can be installed directly from Ubuntu Software. If you don’t like the Snap package however, you can now install the media player from the unofficial PPA.

1.) Add the VLC PPA:

Firstly open terminal from system app launcher. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:savoury1/vlc3

Type user password when it asks, while no asterisk feedback, and hit Enter to continue.

For the MATE desktop users, run this command instead to add another PPA with patch from full-screen issue:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:savoury1/vlc3-mate

2.) Add the dependency PPA:

Secondly, add the dependency PPA for updated media tools:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:savoury1/ffmpeg4

3.) Install or update VLC:

Finally, either run command to install VLC media player:

sudo apt install vlc

Or open Software Updater and update the software packages:

Uninstall:

You can purge the Ubuntu PPA which also downgrade the installed packages to their stock versions:

sudo apt install ppa-purge && sudo apt install ppa-purge ppa:savoury1/vlc3

Keep an eye when purging the dependency PPA, as it may also remove some media packages.

sudo ppa-purge ppa:savoury1/ffmpeg4

Alternatively, you can just remove the Ubuntu PPAs via commands:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:savoury1/vlc3
sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:savoury1/ffmpeg4

And remove VLC if you want by running command:

sudo apt remove --autoremove vlc
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2D Animation App Pencil2D 0.6.6 Released with Crash Recovery Support

Last updated: February 17, 2021

The Pencil2D team announced a new release of its 2D animation software with new feature and various bug-fixes.

Pencil2D is a free and open-source software to make 2D hand-drawn animations. It’s lightweight, easy to use, and works on Linux, Windows, Mac OS, and FreeBSD. It supports both bitmap and vector graphics, and allows to seamlessly switch between the two workflows.

By releasing version 0.6.6, Pencil2D gets crash recovery support. On app startup, it now opens the last edited project automatically. And the timeline now using the system palette colors.

Other changes in the release include:

  • Improved user interface overlapping issue at low screen resolutions by adding scrollbars
  • “Reset Windows” now resets all sub panels to their initial positions
  • Fixed that Check for updates not working on Windows.
  • Fixed a couple of issues regarding frame cache invalidation
  • Fixed misc tablet/mouse stroke issues
  • Fixed memory leaks
  • Fixed new layer naming
  • Fixed broken polyline tool

Download / Install Pencil2D:

The project offers official Linux binary through Appimage packge, which is available to download at the link below:

Grab the package, and give executable permission in file Properties -> Permissions tab. Finally double click to run it to launch the software.

For choice, you can install Pencil2D via universal Flatpak package. See this tutorial for details.

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TeXstudio 3.0.5 Released, Install it via Official Ubuntu PPA

Last updated: February 16, 2021

TeXstudio released new 3.0.5 version a few days ago with important bug-fixes. Here’s how to install or update it in Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 20.10 via PPA.

Changes in TeXstudio 3.0.5 include:

  • Fix crash when deleting all elements of a meta command in the ‘Configure’ dialog under ‘Build’ tab.
  • Fix large tooltips on Windows with ADWAITA style
  • Limit PDF render threads to 8 or to set value.
  • Add command line option --texpath to force a tex path
  • Fix touchpad scroll in x direction
  • Fix a seldom crash
  • Adapt speller dialog to find the same errors as the online checker
  • Fix replace in global search

How to Install TeXstudio 3.0.5 via PPA:

Besides using the non-install Appimage package, you can install the LaTeX editor from the official TeXstudio PPA in all current Ubuntu releases.

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

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:sunderme/texstudio

Type user password (no asterisk feedback) when it asks and hit Enter to add the PPA.

2. If you installed the editor from Ubuntu Software, remove the old packages before getting the new release from Ubuntu PPA:

sudo apt-get remove texstudio-doc texstudio-l10n

3. After adding the PPA, you can either upgrade it via Software Updater:

or run commands in terminal to install or upgrade the software:

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install texstudio

Uninstall:

To remove the LaTeX editor, run command in terminal:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove texstudio

And go to Software & Updates -> Other Software to remove PPA repositories.

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Linux Kernel 5.11 Released! How to Install it in Ubuntu / Linux Mint

Last updated: February 15, 2021

Linux Kernel 5.11 was released a day ago on Valentine’s Day. Here’ how you can install it in Ubuntu and Linux Mint based systems.

Linus Torvalds announced the Kernel 5.11: “Nothing unexpected or particularly scary happened this week, so here we are – with 5.11 tagged and pushed out.
In fact, it’s a smaller-than-average set of commits from rc7 to final, which makes me happy. And I already have several pull requests lined up for tomorrow, so we’re all set for the merge window to start..”

New features in Linux Kernel 5.11 include:

  • Intel Integer Scaling support
  • Intel async page flipping support
  • Initial support for AMD Green Sardine and Van Gogh APUs
  • Intel WiFi 6GHz band support
  • NVIDIA RTX 30 “Ampere” Support
  • The OUYA game console and other new ARM hardware support
  • Improved USB4 and Thunderbolt support
  • Sound support for Intel Alder Lake
  • Fixed the frequency invariance performance regression for AMD.

How to Install Linux Kernel 5.11:

The Ubuntu Mainline Kernel Archive provides the new kernel packages via DEB files.

For those prefer using a graphical tool, see this tool to install the latest Kernel.

To manually download the mainline kernel packages for Linux 5.11, go to the link button:

Select generic for common system, and lowlatency for a low latency system (e.g. for recording audio):

  1. linux-headers-5.11.0-xxxxxx_all.deb
  2. linux-headers-5.11.0-xxx-generic(/lowlatency)_xxx_amd64.deb
  3. linux-modules-5.11.0-xxx-generic(/lowlatency)_xxx_amd64.deb
  4. linux-image-xxx-5.11.0-xxx-generic(/lowlatency)_xxx_amd64.deb

Alternatively you can download and install the kernel binaries via terminal commands ( open terminal via Ctrl+Alt+T):

cd /tmp/

wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v5.11/amd64/linux-headers-5.11.0-051100_5.11.0-051100.202102142330_all.deb

wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v5.11/amd64/linux-headers-5.11.0-051100-generic_5.11.0-051100.202102142330_amd64.deb

wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v5.11/amd64/linux-image-unsigned-5.11.0-051100-generic_5.11.0-051100.202102142330_amd64.deb

wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v5.11/amd64/linux-modules-5.11.0-051100-generic_5.11.0-051100.202102142330_amd64.deb

sudo dpkg -i *.deb

Once installed, restart your computer and enjoy!

Uninstall Linux Kernel 5.11:

Restart your machine and select boot with the previous kernel in boot menu ‘Grub2 -> Advanced Option for Ubuntu’. Then run command to remove Linux Kernel 5.11:

sudo dpkg --purge linux-image-unsigned-5.11.0-051100-generic
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Wine 6.2 Released with Mono 6.0.0 & NTDLL debugger APIs

Last updated: February 13, 2021

The wine team announced the new wine development version 6.2 with a few new features and various bug-fixes.

According to the release note, Wine 6.2 updated Mono engine to version 6.0.0, with DirectX support.

Other changes include:

  • Support for NTDLL debugger APIs.
  • More WinRT support in WIDL.
  • Xbox One controller fixes on Mac.
  • Bug fixes to Paint.NET, Earth 2160, Foxit Reader, Google SketchUp 13, and many other applications.

How to Install Wine 6.2 in Ubuntu:

The Wine team has made in the Linux packages for Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 20.04, and Ubuntu 20.10. And you can install it by doing the steps below one by one.

Open terminal either by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard, or by searching for ‘terminal’ from system application menu. When it opens, run following steps one by one.

1.) Run command to enable 32 bit architecture (if you don’t have it):

sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386

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

2.) Install the repository key by running command:

wget -O - https://dl.winehq.org/wine-builds/winehq.key | sudo apt-key add -

3.) Add wine repository via command (for Ubuntu 20.04 and Linux Mint 20):

sudo apt-add-repository 'deb https://dl.winehq.org/wine-builds/ubuntu/ focal main'

NOTE: You may replace focal in the code with:

  • groovy for Ubuntu 20.10.
  • bionic for Ubuntu 18.04 and Linux Mint 19.x

4.) For Ubuntu 18.04 and Linux Mint 19.x only, libfaudio0 library is required to install from a third-party repository by running command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:cybermax-dexter/sdl2-backport

5.) Finally install Wine 6.2 via command:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --install-recommends winehq-devel

Uninstall wine:

You may remove the PPA by launching Software & Updates utility and navigating to Other Software tab.

To remove wine 6.2, run command in terminal:

sudo apt remove --auto-remove winehq-devel
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Tilix Terminal Emulator 1.9.4 Released, How to Install via PPA

Last updated: February 12, 2021

The Tilix terminal emulator released version 1.9.4 a few days ago. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 20.10 via PPA.

Tilix, formerly Terminix, is a free and open-source terminal emulator that uses the VTE GTK+ 3 widget. It features terminal screen splitting and drop-down mode support.

After one year and a half of development, it finally announced the new release with minimal maintenance. And Tilix is looking for maintainers!

What’s new in Tilix 1.9.4:

  • Actually install Yaru color scheme
  • Give every tab the ${title} (instead of “Default”)
  • Add option to strip trailing whitespace on paste.
  • Add shortcut to “Unselect all”
  • Update metainfo data
  • Update to GtkD 3.9.0.
  • Bump minimum VTE version to 0.46
  • And various bug-fixes.

How to Install Tilix via Ubuntu PPA:

For request, you can now install the new release packages from the unofficial PPA, by doing the steps one by one:

1.) Open terminal from system app launcher and run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/tilix

Type your login password if asks, while no asterisk feedback, and hit Enter to continue.

2.) Then either install the terminal via command:

sudo apt install tilix

or upgrade via Software Updater if an old version was installed.

Uninstall Tilix:

To remove the Ubuntu PPA, either run command in a terminal window:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/tilix

or use Software & Updates utility with Other Software tab.

You can alternatively purge the Ubuntu PPA, which also downgrade the terminal emulator package to the stock version. To do so, run command:

sudo apt install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/tilix

And to remove Tilix, run command:

sudo apt remove tilix
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Voice Chat App Mumble 1.3.4 Released with Important Bug-fixes

Last updated: February 11, 2021

Mumble, voice chat app for gamer, released version 1.3.4 with important bug-fixes.

Mumble is a free and open-source VoIP application designed for use by gamer and is similar to programs such as TeamSpeak.

Before, the public server list registration script doesn’t have an URL scheme whitelist for the website field. So a malicious server can register itself with a dangerous URL in an attempt to attack a user’s machine. In Mumble 1.3.4, now it only allows http and https schemes in both client-side and public server lists.

The new release also fixed an issue that applying a noise gate generates significant packet loss. Due to the mitigation for vulnerabilities discovered in OCB2, it allows some packets with specific characteristics to be dropped during encryption. It however causes packet loss issue. Now it is fixed by a workaround from contributor.

Other changes in Mumble 1.3.4 include:

  • Don’t use outdated (non-existent) notification icon names on Linux.
  • Use qInfo instead of qFatal for logging, which fixes a crash issues.

Unfortunately, there are still known issues in Mumble that overlay blocked by CS:GO Trusted Mode and BattleEye.

How to install Mumble 1.3.4 in Ubuntu:

The official release PPA has made the packages for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, and Ubuntu 20.04.

1. Open terminal either from system application launcher or by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard. When it opens, paste the command below and hit run:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mumble/release

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

2. If an old release was installed, simply upgrade it via Software Updater:

Or run commands one by one in terminal to check updates and install the chat app for gamer:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install mumble mumble-server

Uninstall Mumble:

You can purge the PPA which also downgrade the VoIP app to the stock version via command:

sudo apt-get install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:mumble/release

To simply remove mumble, either use system package manager or run command in terminal:

sudo apt-get remove mumble mumble-server
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How to Start Drawing on Your Screen in Ubuntu 20.04 | 22.04

Last updated: November 9, 2022

Want to start drawing on your screen and save artwork as PNG or SVG? It’s easy to do this in Ubuntu via Gnome Extension.

“Draw On Your Screen” is a Gnome Shell extension allows to start or stop drawing on screen easily via Alt+Super+D keyboard shortcut. With it, you can start free drawing, create basic shapes, insert text, and export your artwork to SVG file.

1.) Install the Gnome Shell Extension for Ubuntu 20.04:

The extension is available as normal software package in Ubuntu repository. Simply open terminal either from your system app launcher, or by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard. When it opens, run command to install the extension:

sudo apt install gnome-shell-extension-draw-on-your-screen

Type your user password, if it asks, and hit Enter. For security reason, there’s no asterisk feedback.

2.) Enable the Extension.

The extension is not enabled immediately after installation. So you have to turn it on via the Gnome Tweaks tool.

1. First press Alt+F2 to bring up ‘Run a Command’ dialog box, type r, and hit Enter to restart Gnome Shell without losing any running applications.

2. Install Gnome Tweaks from Ubuntu Software if you don’t have it. Then open it and navigate to Extensions tab.

There turn on the toggle icon for the extension to enable it.

3.) Start drawing on your screen.

Now you can start drawing by pressing Alt+Super+D, and leave the mode either by pressing the keyboard shortcut again or use Esc key.

In the drawing mode, you can right-click on desktop to get a list of menu options.

To draw rectangle, circle, line, insert text, and more shortcuts, press Ctrl+F1 to get help.

For more about the extension, tips and tricks, go to the project page.

Install the Extension for Ubuntu 22.04

The original extension ends supporting up to Gnome 38. For Ubuntu 22.04 users, do the steps below one by one to install the v2 fork.

1. First, open Ubuntu Software then search for and install ‘Extension Manager’.

Install Extension Manager in Ubuntu 22.04+

2. Next, launch ‘Extension Manager’ from Activities overview screen (press Windows logo key to activate).

3. Finally use Extension Manager to search and install the tool for drawing on screen:

After installed it, you may use the same shortcut (Super+Alt+D) to start drawing in Ubuntu 22.04 screen. Though, you can also go back ‘Installed’ tab in Extension Manager and configure the extension for more options.

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