Archives For November 30, 1999

The latest stable Linux Kernel 3.10.4 has been released. This simple tutorial will show you how to install / upgrade this kernel in Ubuntu 13.04 Raring, 12.10 Quantal and 12.04 Precise.

Linux Kernel 3.10.4

Linux kernel 3.10.4 is an important release, which brings many improvements to IPv4 and IPv6 protocols, as well as many updated drivers and ARM fixes. All users of the 3.10 kernel series are urged to upgrade as soon as possible. See official announcement.

To get started, press Ctrl+Alt+T to open a terminal window, copy and paste below command into terminal and run to download the kernel:

for 32-bit system:

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.10.4-saucy/linux-headers-3.10.4-031004-generic_3.10.4-031004.201307282043_i386.deb http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.10.4-saucy/linux-headers-3.10.4-031004_3.10.4-031004.201307282043_all.deb http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.10.4-saucy/linux-image-3.10.4-031004-generic_3.10.4-031004.201307282043_i386.deb

for 64-bit system:

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.10.4-saucy/linux-headers-3.10.4-031004-generic_3.10.4-031004.201307282043_amd64.deb http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.10.4-saucy/linux-headers-3.10.4-031004_3.10.4-031004.201307282043_all.deb http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.10.4-saucy/linux-image-3.10.4-031004-generic_3.10.4-031004.201307282043_amd64.deb

After that, both 32-bit and 64-bit run below command to install the kernel

sudo dpkg -i linux-headers-3.10.4-*.deb linux-image-3.10.4*.deb

Finally apply changes to grub boot loader:

sudo update-grub

You can remove the downloaded packages after the kernel is properly installed.

This simple tutorial will show you how to convert your photos to cartoon or sketch images in Ubuntu Linux using a simple tool XnSketch.

turn to cartoon

XnSketch is a very small tool that allows you to turn your photos into cartoon or sketch images. It works on Windows, Linux, Mac OS, Apple and Android devices.

Features:

  • 18 different effects (black strokes, white strokes, pastel, pencil sketch, colored sketch, …)
  • Edge strength, and opacity adjustement
  • Contrast, brightness, saturation adjustement
  • Save or share the result to Flickr, Picasa, Facebook, Imgur, Thmblr, ImageShack, Yfrog, GlowFoto, TwitPic, and Email.

Install XnSketch

First download the package:

XnSketch for Windows 32-bit | Windows 64-bit

XnSketch for Ubuntu Linux

For Ubuntu users, decompress the package and copy and paste the result folder into /opt/ folder once downloaded. To do so, press Alt+F2 on your keyboard and type in gksudo nautilus to open file browser with root privilege.

open nautilus as root

Then drag and drop the extract folder from your ~/Downloads folder to /opt/:

move xnsketch to opt

Finally follow below steps to create a launcher for this tool:

1.) Press Ctrl+Alt+T on your keyboard to open terminal. When it opens, run below commands to install required package:

sudo apt-get install gnome-panel --no-install-recommends

2.) Run command to bring up Create Launcher dialog.

sudo gnome-desktop-item-edit /usr/share/applications/ --create-new

In next window type following:

name = XnSketch
command = /opt/XnSketch/xnsketch.sh
select an icon from /opt/XnSketch/xnsketch.png

launcher for xnsketch

Once done, click Ok and you’ll see the XnSketch from the Unity Dash home.

NitroShare is a network file-sharing application that makes sending a file to another machine on the local network as easy as dragging-and-dropping.

nitroshare drag & drop transfer

NitroShare is designed to be hassle-free in every aspect. Just install the application on any machine running Ubuntu or Windows and you’re all set. Each machine should discover all of the other machines on the local network. The application integrates with the operating system, using application indicators on Ubuntu and the system tray on Windows.

nitroshare indicator

Install NitroShare:

NitroShare PPA contains the latest packages for Ubuntu 13.10 Saucy, 13.04 Raring, 12.10 Quantal, 12.04 Precise.

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

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:george-edison55/nitroshare

Then you can click ‘Reload’ on Synaptic Package Manager and then install this home network sharing software. Or you can do it via below command:

sudo apt-get update; sudo apt-get install nitroshare

For Ubuntu 14.04 and higher, download “nitroshare_0.2_amd64.deb” for 32-bit OS or “nitroshare_0.2_i386.deb” for 64-bit OS from Launchpad.net and install it via Software Center.

Once installed, open it from Unity Dash home.

nitroshare in unity

For the first time launching this application, you’ll need to follow on the setup wizard. When you’re done, you’ll see the panel indicator and the icons on bottom-right corner of your desktop.

Use indicator menu or drag and drop file onto the desktop icon to start transfering. Target machine will receive a confirm dialog.

nitroshare confirm dialog

How to Install Areca Backup in Ubuntu Linux

Last updated: July 28, 2013

This simple and brief tutorial shows you how to download and install Areca Backup utility in Ubuntu Linux Unity Desktop.

Areca Backup in ubuntu unity

As you may know, Areca Backup is an Open Source personal backup solution which is released under the General Public License (GPL) v2. It basically allows you to select a set of files / directories to back-up, choose where and how (as a simple file copy, as a zip archive, …) they will be stored, and configure post-backup actions (like sending backup reports by email or launching custom shell scripts).

Download & Install Areca Backup

The acrca backup depends on Java, so first install OpenJDK from Ubuntu Software Center or Oracle Java from ppa.

The last stable version can be downloaded from below link:

download areca backup

Choose to download the areca-*-linux-gtk.tar.gz. You may check 32-bit or 64-bit by opening Details from Unity Dash.

download areca backup

Once downloading process finished, decompress the package and put the result folder to /opt/ directory. To do so, press Alt+F2 and type in gksudo nautilus to open file browser with root privilege.

open nautilus as root

Then move the extracted folder to computer -> /opt/ folder.

move-to-opt

Now you’re able to open this backup utility via command: /opt/areca/areca.sh

To create a launcher for Areca Backup

Press Ctrl+Alt+T on your keyboard to open terminal. When it opens, run below command to install required package:

sudo apt-get install gnome-panel --no-install-recommends

After that, run below commands to create the .desktop launcher file:

sudo gnome-desktop-item-edit /usr/share/applications/ --create-new

It brings up a dialog, where you can set the icon, name, and command of new launcher.

launcher for areca backup

Once done, you’ll see areca backup in Unity Dash.

areca backup in unity

Install Gyachi in Ubuntu 13.04 Raring via PPA

Last updated: July 28, 2013

This simple and brief tutorial is going to show you how to install Gyachi Yahoo! client in Ubuntu 13.04 Raring Ringtail via the ppa repository.

gyachi unity

GyachE Improved (GyachI) is a fork from Gyach Enhanced Yahoo! client for Linux operating systems. This Yahoo! client supports almost all of the features you would expect to find on the official Windows Yahoo! client: Voice chat, webcams, faders, ‘nicknames’, audibles, avatars, display images, and more. Yet, it remains very light-weight and memory-friendly.

NOTE: The latest version of Gyachi was released on 2011-09-03, so it may or may not work. Use it at your own risk!

Install Gyachi:

There’s a PPA repository contains the latest Gyachi packages for Ubuntu 10.04 Lucid and higher.

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

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:adilson/experimental

Then you can update your system package lists and install it via:

sudo apt-get update; sudo apt-get install gyachi

Run gyachi command to launch it first time, then click its icon and choose “lock to launcher”.

gyachi

pin gyachi to unity launcher

This simple tutorial shows you how to add ‘File Compare’ option on Nautilus’ context menu in Ubuntu 13.04 Raring Ringtail.

file compare in nautilus

There are a few tools in Ubuntu allow to compare files or folders, such as Meld Diff Viewer, Kdiff3. Nautilus-compare is a simple plugin that integrates them with Nautilus file browser.

Press Ctrl+Alt+T on your keyboard to open temrinal. When it opens, run below command to install this plugin:

sudo apt-get install nautilus-compare

Once installed, open “Nautilus Compare Extension Preferences” from Unity Dash and choose your diff veiwer:

nautilus file compare extension

Finally, restart Nautilus by below command to apply changes:

nautilus -q

For Ubuntu 13.04, due to bugs you need to run below command to get it work:

for 32-bit:

sudo ln -s /usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/libpython2.7.so.1 /usr/lib/libpython.2.7.so

for 64-bit:

sudo ln -s /usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libpython2.7.so.1 /usr/lib/libpython.2.7.so

Install Shutter 0.90 in Ubuntu 13.04 via PPA

Last updated: March 11, 2015

This simple tutorial shows you how to install the latest Shutter 0.90 on Ubuntu 13.04 Raring Ringtail using its PPA repository.

shutter 0.90

This release fixes bugs and removes some error prone (or unused) features. Some of the error prone features has been removed in order to keep Shutter’s codebase easier to maintain.

Due to licensing issues it was necessary to remove three plugins (3Dreflection, 3Drotate, bordereffects). The plugins are based on scripts written by Fred Weinhaus and he asked to remove them from Shutter.

Shutter 0.90 indicator adds a new option to show the main window, it’s convenient for Unity users.

shutter show main window

This release removes the following dependency: libgnome2-gconf-perl (Gnome2::GConf)

Install Shutter from PPA:

The Shutter PPA is ready for Ubuntu 13.04, 12.10, 12.04 and 10.04 users. Press Ctrl+Alt+T on your keyboard to open terminal. When it opens, run below command to add the ppa:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:shutter/ppa

Then you can install it via below command:

sudo apt-get update; sudo apt-get install shutter

This simple tutorial shows how to reduce / increase the number of workspaces on Ubuntu 12.04, 12.10, 13.04 and upcoming 13.10 Unity Desktop.

6 number of workspaces

There are quite a few Ubuntu configuration tools that allow to manage number of workspaces on Unity Desktop, such as Ubuntu Tweak, Unity Tweak Tool, Unsettings, CompizConfig Settings Manager, etc.

NOTE: For Ubuntu 13.04 and higher, you may first enable workspaces from System Settings -> Appearances -> Behavior tab -> Enable Workspaces.

To change number of workspaces via Ubuntu Tweak:

Ubuntu Tweak is very popular Ubuntu Configuration tool which was started in 2008. The first supported release is Ubuntu 7.10 Gutsy Gibbon.

To install Ubuntu Tweak, first download the .deb file from launchpad.net/ubuntu-tweak. Or use below command to download it (Press Ctrl+Alt+T to open terminal for running commands):

cd ~/Downloads/ && wget https://launchpad.net/ubuntu-tweak/0.8.x/0.8.5/+download/ubuntu-tweak_0.8.5-1_all.deb

To install Ubuntu Tweak, run:

sudo dpkg -i ~/Downloads/ubuntu-tweak_*.deb; sudo apt-get -f install

Once installed, open the tool and navigate to Tweaks -> Workspace. Change the value of horizontal and vertical workspace and that’s it!

number of workspaces via ubuntu tweak

To change number of workspaces via Unity Tweak Tool:

Unity Tweak Tool is a settings manager for Unity Desktop. It has a user friendly GUI. If you’re running on Ubuntu 13.04 Raring and higher, this can be a good way to add or remove virtual workspaces. Because Unity Tweak Tool is available in Ubuntu Software Center by default. You can click the link below to launcher USC and install it.

Install Unity Tweak Tool

Once installed, open it. Under Window Manager click Workspace Settings. Then you’ll be able to change the number of workspaces:

number of workspaces tweak tool

Use CompizConfig Settings Manager to Change number of Workspaces:

Compiz is a compositing window manager for the X Window System. It’s the default in Ubuntu system. CompizConfig Settings Manager (CCSM) is the GUI tool for configuring Compiz effects.

To install CCSM, click link below to launch Ubuntu Software Center and click install button.

install CCSM

Once installed, open it from Unity Dash. Navigate to General -> General Options -> Desktop size tab, there you’ll see the options to change number of horizontal and vertical workspaces.

number of workspaces CCSM

This brief tutorial is going to show you how to download and install JDownloader 2 Beta on Ubuntu 12.04 Precise, 13.04 Raring.

Jdownloader 2 main window

As you may know, Jdownloader is a free and open-source download manager written in Java, which allows the automatic downloading of files and split files from one-click hosting sites such as RapidShare.

For the difference between classic Jdownloader and Jdownloader 2 Beta, see:

Install JDownloader 2:

Jdownloader depends on Java 6 or 7, so first install OpenJDK from Ubuntu Software Center or Oracle Java 7 from ppa. To check current installed version, run below command in terminal:

java -version

You should see similar output:

java version “1.7.0_25”
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.7.0_25-b15)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 23.25-b01, mixed mode)

To get started installing Jdownloader 2 Beta, you may check your system type (32-bit or 64-bit). Go to Unity Dash, search for and open Details to check out your OS information:

System-type-32bit-64-bit

Once you confirmed your OS type, press Ctrl+Alt+T to open terminal. When it opens, run command to download JDownloader 2 beta for Linux installer. (jdownloader download page)

  • For 32-bit os:
    wget http://installer.jdownloader.org/JD2SilentSetup_x86.sh
  • For 64-bit os:
    wget http://installer.jdownloader.org/JD2SilentSetup_x64.sh

In order to run this .sh installer, run below command to give it executable permission (Or you can do this in file Properties window.)

chmod +x JD2SilentSetup*.sh

After that, run the .sh installer via command below:

./JD2SilentSetup*.sh

It brings up the setup wizard. Follow it and you’re done!

Jdownload 2 setup wizard

Once installed, Jdownloader 2 should available in the Unity Dash.

UPDATE: To uninstall Jdownloader 2, just run the “Uninstall JDownloader” file in the installation folder to bring up uninstall wizard and follow it.

As you may know, Jupiter is a powerful and lightweight power and hardware control applet. It has been retired and last supported release is up to Ubuntu 12.10 Quantal. However, Jupiter is available for Ubuntu 13.04 from JoliCloud Desktop Environment PPA.

Jupiter on Ubuntu 13.04

The webupd8team add the packages to the ppa and it’ll be used as a background program for JoliCloud session. I’ve installed it on my laptop and it’s working well.

Install Jupiter on Ubuntu 13.04:

Note that don’t install it on a product machine. Use it as your own risk!

Press Ctrl+Alt+T on your keyboard to open terminal. When it opens, run below command to add the PPA repository:

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

Then update package lists and install:

sudo apt-get update; sudo apt-get install jupiter

To install Jupiter support package for Eee PCs:

sudo apt-get install jupiter-support-eee

jupiter ubuntu 13.04 unity