Archives For November 30, 1999

Installing Ubuntu is quite easy today using an USB stick. Here’s the step by step guide that shows the details about the installing process for those new to this operating system.

Step 1: Create boot-able USB installer

We usually burn the Ubuntu iso image into a USB stick, then boot PC with it to get into a live Ubuntu system, and finally start the wizard to install the system to hard disk.

Firstly, a USB stick with 4 GB+ memory is required, download ISO image from releases.ubuntu.com, and follow this guide to burn it:

Step 2: Boot your PC with the USB

Next, plug the USB stick into the target PC, start or restart and press F2/F10 (or other keys depends on your machine) to get into BIOS/UEFI. Select boot the USB, and you should see the following screen:

live-USB boot menu

Finally, select boot the first menu entry, or the second “safe graphics” if the first entry does not work for your machine.

Step 3: Start install wizard, choose language & keyboard layout

It will automatically launch the install wizard after successfully boot into the live system.

In the first page, choose the language for this wizard and live system. Then:

  • click “Try Ubuntu” to try the live system. There’s a shortcut icon to launch installer again if you decide to install the system on your disk.
  • or click “Install Ubuntu” to get to next page.

In the next keyboard layout page, it should automatically select the correct keyboard layout. You may press any key on keyboard and see the screen output to verify. Use “Detect Keyboard Layout” or select layout manually if the default is not correct.

Next, it will prompt to choose between “Normal Installation” and “Minimal Installation”. We usually choose the former one, unless you just need a web browser along with core system libraries.

For updates and third-party software under “Other options”, check the boxes as you prefer if you has internet connection. They are also available to install after system installation.

Step 4: Choose disk or assign partition manually

In the next page, it will ask where to install the Ubuntu system. There are usually following options:

  • Erase disk and install Ubuntu – use the whole hard disk for Ubuntu. You’ll lost all the data in your disk. There’s also “Advanced features” allows to encrypt the system.
  • Install Ubuntu beside Windows – If you’ve a Windows system in the disk, there’ll be the option to use all the left space for Ubuntu installation. So you’ll have Ubuntu and Windows dual-boot.
  • Install/Reinstall Ubuntu on top of … – Clear the old Ubuntu system and use the disk partition for new Ubuntu system.
  • Something else – edit disk partition manually.

Step 5: Manually create system partition

If you choose “Something else” in the previous screen. It will bring you into the partition table.

In this page, you need to create following partitions using the free disk spaces (or remove and re-use unused spaces):

  • EFI – 100 ~ 500 MB. (optional for old legacy BIOS without secure boot)
  • Swap area – as large as RAM (optional if you have large RAM. And, a swap-file can take the job after installation)
  • /boot Ext4 partition – 500 ~ 1000MB (optional, but required for LVM or disk encryption)
  • Ext4 mounted at “/” – 20GB + the bigger the better (required)

Here are some partition combinations for installing Ubuntu:

  • EFI + Ext4 mounted at “/”
  • EFI + Swap + Ext4 mounted at “/”
  • EFI + Ext4 mounted at “/” + separated “/boot” partition
  • EFI + Swap + Ext4 mounted at “/” + separated “/boot” partition
  • Ext4 mounted at “/” (for legacy boot only)
  • Ext4 mounted at “/” + separated “/boot” partition (for legacy boot only)
  • Swap + Ext4 mounted at “/” (for legacy boot only)
  • Swap + Ext4 mounted at “/” + separated “/boot” partition (for legacy boot only)
  • EFI + Ext4 mounted at “/” (Encrypted) + separated “/boot” partition (no swap and /boot is required)

Here are the screenshots of example partition table and partition create dialog (use ‘+’ to create yours).

For encrypted Ubuntu system, instead of directly creating “Ext4 file system” mount at ‘/’, create and select use as “physical volume for encryption”.

In this mode, you’ll need to type the secure key (password) every time you boot Ubuntu. And mount Ubuntu system volume from another machine/system need this key too.

Then right-click on it in partition table and select mount point “/”. NOTE: you have to remove Swap area if any and create separated ‘/boot’ partition first for encryption mode.

And under “Device for boot loader installation”, use the default “/dev/sdx” will install the Grub boot-loader for loading all systems in the disk. Though UEFI still allows to choose boot-loader at boot.

Step 6: Setup Account, Location and done

After click “Install Now” and confirm on pop-up dialog. The wizard will prompt to set up your account, computer name, and select location.

You may add more accounts after installation, and other information can be changed later. So just do the settings as you prefer.

Finally, wait the process done. If no error occur, it should prompt installation done with option to restart your computer.

It may sometimes refuse to restart after clicked the button. That’s not a big deal, just press and hold the power key to force shutdown and boot it again.

This simple tutorial shows how to install latest Komodo edit on Ubuntu 13.04 Raring, 12.10 Quantal, 12.04 Precise via ppa repository.

Komodo Edit, based on the award-winning Komodo IDE, offers sophisticated support for all major scripting languages, including in-depth autocomplete and calltips, multi-language file support, syntax coloring and syntax checking, Vi emulation, Emacs key bindings. It provides dynamic language expertise for Perl, PHP, Python, Ruby, and Tcl, plus JavaScript, CSS, HTML, and XML, and template languages like RHTML, Template-Toolkit, HTML-Smarty and Django.

Install Komodo Edit

A PPA repository has been created for Ubuntu users. So far it supports Ubuntu 13.04, 12.04 and 12.10.

To add the repository, press Ctrl+Alt+T on your keyboard to open terminal. When it opens, run below commands:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mystic-mirage/komodo-edit

After that, update your package lists and install this tool via command below:

sudo apt-get update; sudo apt-get install komodo-edit

Once installed, open it by running komodo command. You may need to manually create launcher shortcut

This latest stable Kernel 3.10.2 has been released. All users of the 3.10 kernel series are urged to upgrade as soon as possible. This tutorial shows how to install / Upgrade Kernel 3.10.2 for Ubuntu 13.04, 12.04, 12.10 and Linux Mint users.

Linux Kernel 3.10.2 is also a small release that includes a few updated drivers, fixes for the ext3 and ext4 file systems, as well as other small changes. Read the announcement.

Install / Upgrade Kernel 3.10.2

The Kernel PPA has updated with latest DEBs for Ubuntu and Linux Mint users.

Press Ctrl+Alt+T on your keyboard to open a terminal window. When it opens, run below commands to download the Debs.
For 32-bit system:

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.10.2-saucy/linux-headers-3.10.2-031002-generic_3.10.2-031002.201307212216_i386.deb http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.10.2-saucy/linux-headers-3.10.2-031002_3.10.2-031002.201307212216_all.deb http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.10.2-saucy/linux-image-3.10.2-031002-generic_3.10.2-031002.201307212216_i386.deb

For 64-bit system

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.10.2-saucy/linux-headers-3.10.2-031002-generic_3.10.2-031002.201307212216_amd64.deb http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.10.2-saucy/linux-headers-3.10.2-031002_3.10.2-031002.201307212216_all.deb http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.10.2-saucy/linux-image-3.10.2-031002-generic_3.10.2-031002.201307212216_amd64.deb

After downloading, both 32-bit and 64-bit use below command to install them:

sudo dpkg -i linux-headers-3.10.2*.deb linux-image-3.10.2*.deb

Finally, remember to update grub to apply changes. To do so, run below command:

sudo update-grub

Once done, restart your computer and you should see the entry with Linux Kernel 3.10.2.

Want to install and use Google Sketchup on Ubuntu 13.04 Raring? Well, this simple tutorial will show you how to do it. With the help of Wine software, you can install and use Windows software easily in Ubuntu.

Wine is a compatibility layer capable of running Windows applications on several POSIX-compliant operating systems, including Ubuntu Linux. It’s free and open-source software. Wine now is getting a lot better at handling Windows software on Linux systems.

To get started with installing Sketchup 2013 in Ubuntu, download the lastest version of wine. To do that, press Ctrl + Alt + T on your keyboard to open the terminal. When it opens, run the commands below to add its PPA.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntu-wine/ppa

Then run below command to update package lists and install wine1.5 (Now the latest wine1.7 is recommended):

sudo apt-get update; sudo apt-get install wine1.5

Once wine is installed, run below command to configure it so that Sketchup could be installed. You may need to log out and log back:

winecfg

Next, navigate to Libraries tab, then select ‘Riched20’ library from the drop-down list and add it. When done, click OK

Download Google Sketchup from http://sketchup.google.com/intl/en/download/gsu.html. Then navigate to the Downloads folder and right-click on the EXE to ‘Open with Wine Windows Program Loader’.

Follow the setup wizard and finally you’ll get the shortcut on the desktop and Unity dash.

That’s it. Enjoy!

UPDATE: If Sketchup hangs after choosing a template, try launching it with /DisableRubyAPI as a workaround. Or read the new post about install Sketchup 2014 in Ubuntu 14.04.

Getdeb is an unofficial project which provides the latest open-source and freeware applications for Ubuntu Linux, and PlayDeb provides games. As Ubuntu based Linux distribution, Linux Mint users are available to install software from this repository.

Objectives:

  • Install / add / enable GetDeb & PlayDeb repository on Linux Mint
  • Enjoy!

To get started, go to Start menu, search and open Software Sources

Navigate to Additional repositories, check the box where it says ‘archive getdeb.net’. Click ‘update the cache’ button to update package lists.

That’s it!

If it is not there in your Linux Mint edition, click ‘Add a new repository’ and type in

deb http://archive.getdeb.net/ubuntu raring-getdeb apps games

In the line, change raring to yours based Ubuntu release code name.

Linux Mint 14 Nadia based on Ubuntu 12.10 quantal
Linux Mint 13 Maya based on Ubuntu 12.04 precise
Linux Mint 12 Lisa based on Ubuntu 11.10 oneiric
Linux Mint 11 Katya based on Ubuntu 11.04 natty
Linux Mint 10 Julia based on Ubuntu 10.10 maverick
Linux Mint 9 Isadora based on Ubuntu 10.04 lucid

And get the key by running below commands in terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T):

wget -q -O- http://archive.getdeb.net/getdeb-archive.key | sudo apt-key add -

Enjoy!

This simple tutorial will show you how to install the Spotify Client on Linux Mint 13, 14, 15 from the official repository.

Spotify is a digital music-streaming service that gives you on-demand access to millions of songs on all your devices. It works on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Windows Phone 7/8 (7 no longer updated), BlackBerry (GSM only), Symbian.

To install it from the official repository, press Ctrl+Alt+T to open terminal.

1.) Run below command to add the repository to Linux Mint:

sudo sh -c 'echo "deb http://repository.spotify.com stable non-free" >> /etc/apt/sources.list.d/spotify.list'

2.) Install the public key:

sudo apt-key adv --keyserver hkp://keyserver.ubuntu.com:80 --recv-keys D2C1988

3.) Finally update package lists and install spotify:

sudo apt-get update; sudo apt-get install spotify-client

Enjoy!

The latest stable kernel 3.10.1 has been released. All users of the 3.10 kernel series are urged to upgrade as soon as possible. Here is what’s new and how to install / upgrade kernel 3.10.1 on your system.

Linux kernel 3.10.1 is a small release that includes a few updated drivers, fixes for the HPFS and NFS file systems, as well as other small changes. See the announcement.

Below steps shows you how to install or upgrade this kernel:

1.) Press Ctrl+Alt+T to open terminal. Run below command to download the Deb packages

For 32-bit:

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.10.1-saucy/linux-headers-3.10.1-031001-generic_3.10.1-031001.201307131550_i386.deb http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.10.1-saucy/linux-headers-3.10.1-031001_3.10.1-031001.201307131550_all.deb http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.10.1-saucy/linux-image-3.10.1-031001-generic_3.10.1-031001.201307131550_i386.deb

For 64-bit:

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.10.1-saucy/linux-headers-3.10.1-031001-generic_3.10.1-031001.201307131550_amd64.deb http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.10.1-saucy/linux-headers-3.10.1-031001_3.10.1-031001.201307131550_all.deb http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.10.1-saucy/linux-image-3.10.1-031001-generic_3.10.1-031001.201307131550_amd64.deb

2) Install the Debs:

sudo dpkg linux-headers-3.10.1*.deb linux-image-3.10.1*.deb

After installation, update grub via:

sudo update-grub

This tutorial shows how to install NixNote (formerly NeverNote) on Ubuntu 22.04 and Ubuntu 20.04.

NixNote, previously known as NeverNote is an open-source client for Evernote on Ubuntu Linux. It has following features:

  • Synchronizes with Evernote servers
  • Local data caching
  • Cross platform
  • Local-only and synchronized notebooks supported
  • Database may be encrypted locally

There’s a ppa repository contains the latest packages for Ubuntu and Linux Mint users. To install it, press Ctrl+Alt+T to open terminal, then follow the below steps:

NOTE: Don’t know why, but the PPA so far does NOT support Ubuntu 24.04. Check the PPA web page.

1.) Copy and paste this command, and run. It adds the stable ppa repository to your system:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:nixnote/nixnote2-stable

2.) If you’ve installed Synaptic Package Manager, open it and click Reload button to update package lists. Then search for and install nixnote:

or, run this command instead to update package cache and install the software:

sudo apt-get update; sudo apt-get install nixnote2

Uninstall Nixnote

To uninstall the app, open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run command:

sudo apt remove --autoremove nixnote2

Also remove the Ubuntu PPA by running command:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:nixnote/nixnote2-stable

UPDATE 2024: Nightingale discontinued! Try Clementine Music Player which is available to install in App Center or Ubuntu Software.

In this tutorial I’ll show you how to install the Nightingale Music Player on Ubuntu 13.04, 12.10, 12.04 and Linux Mint 15, 14, 13 via ppa repository.

As such, Nightingale’s engine is based on the Mozilla XULRunner with libraries such as the GStreamer media framework and libtag providing media tagging and playback support, amongst others. Since official support for Linux was dropped by Songbird in April, 2010, Linux-using members of the Songbird community diverged and created the project.

Nightingale smart playlist

Notable features of Nightingale:

  • Plugins compatible with Songbird (with one modification to the addon)
  • Multi-platform compatibility with Windows XP, Vista, 7, Linux and Mac OS X v10.5 (x86, x86-64).
  • Ability to play multiple audio formats, such as MP3, AAC, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC, Apple Lossless and WMA
  • Ability to play Apple FairPlay-encoded audio on Windows and Mac platforms via hooks into QuickTime (authorization takes place in iTunes)
  • Ability to play Windows Media DRM audio on Windows platforms
  • Media files stored on pages viewed in the browser show up as playable files in Nightingale
  • MP3 file download
  • Ability to subscribe to MP3 blogs as playlists
  • Ability to build custom mixes
  • Ability to scan the user’s computer for all audio files and add them to a local library
  • A configurable and collapsible graphical user interface similar to iTunes, and mini-player mode
  • Keyboard shortcuts and media keyboard support
  • Last.fm integration via a plugin, complete with love/hate buttons
  • Microsoft MTP compatible device support
  • Ability to edit and save metadata tags
  • Gapless playback and ReplayGain
  • Watch folders
  • Media import and export (from and to iTunes)

To install it, press Ctrl+Alt+T to open terminal, then follow the below steps:

1.) Copy and paste this command, then run in terminal to add the ppa repository:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:nightingaleteam/nightingale-release

2.) If you’ve already installed Synaptic Package Manager, open it and click Reload button. Search for and install the nightingale package:

If not, run the below command instead:

sudo apt-get update; sudo apt-get install nightingale

Enjoy!

UPDATE: To uninstall the software, also use Synaptic Package Manager, or run following commands in terminal:

sudo apt-get remove nightingale && sudo apt-get autoremove

The PPA can be removed via Software & Updates utility via Other Software tab.

Want to build a website? Then you need to setup a web server! Here I’ll show you how to install and setup LAMP pack on Ubuntu 12.04 LTS Server.

LAMP is a combination of Linux (OS), Apache HTTP Server, PHP (open-source scripting language), and MySQL (database software).

In this tutorial I use the hostname www.example.com with the IP address 192.168.0.100 as example.

1.) Login or Remote access your server as root, or run command to get root privileges.

sudo su

2.) Install Mysql:

apt-get install mysql-server mysql-client

You’ll be asked to set a password for root user of Mysql.

3.) Install Apache2:

apt-get install apache2

After installed, test if it works by going to http://192.168.0.100 in your web browser. Remember change the IP to yours.

The default default document root is /var/www/, and the configuration file is /etc/apache2/apache2.conf.

4.) Install PHP5:

apt-get install php libapache2-mod-php

Restart Apache2 service to get it works with PHP:

systemctl restart apache2

5.) To test if PHP works, create info.php in the root directory “/var/www/”:

nano /var/www/info.php

Then insert following lines:

<?php
phpinfo();
?>

Then press Ctrl+S to save file and Ctrl+X to exit. Then in browser go to http://192.168.0.100:info.php (replace ip to yours)

6.) To get Mysql support in PHP, install following packages:

apt-get install php-mysql php-curl php-gd php-intl php-pear php-imagick php-imap php-memcache php-ps php-pspell php-snmp php-sqlite3 php-tidy php-xmlrpc php-xsl

Then restart Apache2 service:

systemctl restart apache2

Go to or reload http://192.168.0.100/info.php in your browser:

7.) (Optional) Install phpMyAdmin, a web interface to manage Mysql Databases:

apt-get install phpmyadmin

After installed, go to http://192.168.0.100/phpmyadmin/, login with root and password you set in step 2.