ONLYOFFICE 8.2 Improves Launch Time, Adds New Theme + More
A big update to ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors, a free, open-source office suite for Windows, macOS, and Linux is available to download. ONLYOFFICE 8.2 offers a clutch of new features, several performance gains, and a miscellany of smaller enhancements across the full suite, which is composed of a word processor, spreadsheet tool, presentation maker, form filler, and a PDF editor. For a lighter look, ONLYOFFICE 8.2 includes a new grey theme in its appearance settings. This is not enabled by default but can be applied to all apps in the suite from the main settings, or applied to just specific components, 
#News #AppUpdates #Office&ProductivityApps #Onlyoffice
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2024/10/onlyoffice-8-2-brings-faster-file-opening-new-grey-theme
Firefox 132 Brings Modest Changes Ahead of 20th Anniversary
Mozilla Firefox 132 is available to download from today, arriving a couple of weeks ahead of the browser’s big 20th anniversary milestone. But anyone hoping Firefox 132 might’ve proven to be a veritable birthday piñata, fit to burst with a flurry of new features and changes may want to temper their expectations a little. Mozilla’s engineers do have plenty of feature candy in the works – vertical tabs, tab grouping, new tab features, a redesigned Settings, and a brand-spankin’ new profile system – but it seems those aren’t ready to unwrap yet – not officially, anyway. Before I dive into
#News #AppUpdates #Firefox
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2024/10/mozilla-firefox-132-released-whats-new
Tiling Shell Makes Focused Window Border Colours Configurable, Adds New Keybindings
I’m a fan of the Tiling Shell GNOME Shell extension because it’s both good at what it does, but good at not being one-size-fits-all: users can tile window using a mouse and drop zones, with keyboard shortcuts, or with both – options for everyone. And some extra options are on offer in the latest update, Tiling Shell v14: Being able to quickly define a keyboard combo to press to move a window to the center of the screen (regardless of whether it’s tiled) may prove handy. Yet I imagine it’ll be the ability to define specific shortcuts to move focus
#News
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2024/10/tiling-shell-gnome-extenion-custom-window-border-update
Geckium is an Uncannily Accurate Chrome Theme for Firefox
Ever feel a pang of a nostalgia for the way web browsers used to look, but don’t fancy the hiccups and hassle of trying to run an old browser on a modern OS? Honestly? You probably don’t, but after checking out what the Geckium project can do, you might! Before I continue let state that I am will not be trying to persuade anyone of the need to do this as there is no need; this is purely retro eye-candy that’s as ‘useful’ as making Ubuntu look like a Mac, ‘ricing’ a tiling WM to resemble a scene from Blade
#News
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2024/10/geckium-classic-google-chrome-theme-for-firefox
Vivaldi 7.0 Delivers New UI, Dashboard Feature + More
Vivaldi 7.0 is out, and the makers describe it as not merely an update but ‘a new Vivaldi’ entirely. Those familiar with the browser will instantly see why, as Vivaldi finally gets an overdue UI redesign: there’s a new theme, pill-shaped floating tabs, and all-new in-app icons. On the new tab page (or ‘start page’ in Vivaldi parlance) there’s an all-new Dashboard feature with widgets that users can customise to provide a more informative view-port than a static speed dial n’ search bar might offer. Of the Dashboard, Vivaldi say “…it pulls everything together. Your Mail, Calendar, Notes, Tasks, and
#News #AppUpdates #Vivaldi
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2024/10/vivaldi-7-0-new-ui-dashboard-more
Raspberry Pi Launch Own-Brand SSDs Priced From $30
One of the best things about the Raspberry Pi 5 (other than the performance boost over its predecessor) is how much easier it is to add an SSD. And using an SSD with the Raspberry Pi 5 is a no-brainer if you’re running a proper desktop OS like Ubuntu since performance is dramatically better than what an SD card can provide – yes, even super-duper expensive ones. Having recently announced is own range of Raspberry Pi-branded SD cards (with support for command queuing on the Pi 5 and reliable read/write speeds) the company is now offering a range of own-band
#Hardware #News #RaspberryPi #Ssds
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2024/10/raspberry-pi-launch-own-brand-ssds-priced-from-30
Calibre eBook Manager Intros New PDF Conversion Engine
Open source ebook manager Calibre has a new release out. Calibre 7.2.0 ships with a brand new PDF input engine (used to convert PDF files into other ebook formats, such as EPUB or MOBI). It’s now able to handle “automatic detection of headers and footers based on document analysis”. Fans of the old engine needn’t panic as it’s still included and available to select from the PDF Input section of the Conversion dialog. The Calibre Manual has a detailed guide on converting PDFs to ebook-friendly formats. Calibre’s Read Aloud feature (which does exactly what it says on the tin) picks
#News #AppUpdates #Calibre #QtApps
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2024/10/calibre-ebook-manager-intros-new-pdf-conversion-engine
Clementine Music Player Gets First Non-Preview Release in 8 Years
Remember Clementine music player? Well, it appears to be back in play – some 8 years since its last stable release. While Clementine feels like it’s slipped out of public consciousness in recent years the player has remained under active development. The last stable release was in 2016 (v1.3.1) but a LOT of release candidate builds were issued since (v1.4.0-rc is carried in the Ubuntu repos). However, this weekend the Clementine GitHub added a non-RC build, v1.4.1, marked as a ‘rolling release’. As the first non-RC build in forever this feels notable. The catch? No official announcement has been so
#News #AppUpdates #Clementine #MusicPlayers #QtApps
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2024/10/clementine-music-player-new-rolling-release
Intel’s NPU Driver for Linux is Now Available on the Snap Store
Canonical has put the official Linux Intel NPU driver on the Snap Store. The new Intel NPU Driver snap “bundles many components including device firmware, a user space driver and compiler, and an application to validate the user mode driver and compiler”. Or to put it another way: everything needs to harness the AI inference accelerators now built-in to the latest Intel Core Ultra processors (‘Meteor Lake’ and above). The catch (for now) is that the Intel NPU Driver snap is currently in beta, ergo rock-solid reliability isn’t currently a given. It should also go without saying (but I’ll
#News #Ai/Ml #Intel #SnapApps
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2024/10/intels-npu-driver-for-linux-is-now-available-on-the-snap-store
VirtualBox 7.1.4 Readies Linux Kernel 6.12 Support + More
Oracle has released the second maintenance update for the latest VirtualBox 7.1 series. VirtualBox 7.1.4 includes a small set of improvements, bug fixes, and stability enhancements to this open-source, cross-platform virtualisation tool, though new major new features are included. Among the changes are 2 which affect the Linux Guest Additions package (installing this enables Linux VMs to integrate better with the underlying host OS and hardware, be it a Linux, macOS, Windows, or Solaris host). Firstly, Linux Guest Additions picks up initial support for the upcoming Linux kernel 6.12 release, which due out in the next few months. Adding initial
#News #AppUpdates #VirtualMachines #Virtualbox
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2024/10/virtualbox-7-1-4-readies-linux-kernel-6-12-support-more
Ubuntu 25.04 Codename Revealed
The codename for Ubuntu 25.04 has been revealed. Another feathered bird follows the Ubuntu 24.10 ‘Oracular Oriole’, and since codenames are alphabetical (as of Ubuntu 6.06 LTS; restarted at ‘A’ with 17.10), it means Ubuntu 25.04 will begin with the letter ‘P’. Praying for a Piquant Pelican? You’ll be perplexed to learn that was not picked. Pining for a Percipient Peacock? You’ll be put-out to hear that got passed over too. Prefer the sound of a Plucky Puffin? You’ll be pleased! Yes, Ubuntu 25.04 is the ‘Plucky Puffin’. Ubuntu 25.04 Codename Meaning “Plucky” is an adjective often used to refer
#News
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2024/10/ubuntu-25-04-codename-revealed
Inkscape 1.4 is Out with Epic New Features
When it comes to open-source vector graphics software there’s perhaps nothing else as well known or as well made for the task than Inkscape – and a brand new version is now released. Inkscape 1.4 adds a crop of new features and improves accessibility buffs, with bug fixes, code cleanups, stability tweaks, and performance tune-ups (including faster extensions) also included. A new Filter Gallery dialog is, Inkscape say, “your new entry point into the world of filters. Head to the Filters menu to find it and your favorites more easily, with previews by category or by typing key words in
#News
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2024/10/inkscape-1-4-new-features
How to Upgrade to Ubuntu 24.10 from 24.04 LTS
With the latest release stacked with new features, you may be looking to upgrade to Ubuntu 24.10 from Ubuntu 24.04 LTS but wondering exactly how. Well, in this post I show (though in some cases, remind) you how. “I just wait for Ubuntu to tell me, right?” – no. As Ubuntu 24.04 is a long-term support (LTS) release it will NOT ask you if you want to upgrade to Ubuntu 24.10. LTS releases are configured to only notify of new LTS releases (next one is due 2026) and Ubuntu 24.10 is a short-term release. Fret not; you can still do
#HowTo #Ubuntu24_10
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2024/10/how-to-upgrade-to-ubuntu-24-10
Spotify Controls GNOME Extension is Ideal for Music Addicts
GNOME Shell shows now playing info in the notification shade, out of view but there when you want to check in. Most users like this approach, but perhaps you don’t? Personally, I do like seeing media info (album art, artist name, track title) in the top bar. If I listen to a playlist like Spotify Discover I can see which song/artist is playing by looking at the top of the screen. I find that easier than interrupting my workflow by having to switch apps or click on the notification shade to take a peek. Plus, having ‘now playing’ info on
#News #GnomeExtensions #Spotify
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2024/10/spotify-controls-gnome-extension-top-bar
KDE neon Users Can Now Upgrade to Ubuntu 24.04
KDE neon users can now upgrade to rebase their systems on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS. For those unfamiliar with it, KDE neon is an Ubuntu-based Linux distribution that is something of a reference platform for KDE Plasma. It’s available in User, Testing, Unstable, and Developer editions. KDE neon (User Edition) is the ‘stable’ version but still described as suiting ‘adventurous KDE enthusiasts’ rather than those seeking a rock-solid, totally-reliable distro. KDE neon isn’t tested as a distro as throughly as, say, Kubuntu. But if you want the benefits of the Ubuntu 24.04 package set with the latest KDE Plasma 6.2 release
#News #Kde #KdeNeon #Ubuntu24_04Lts
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2024/10/kde-neon-rebased-on-ubuntu-24-04
Ubuntu 24.10 is Now Available to Download
Ubuntu 24.10 is now available for download after six months of dedicated development. The latest release offers plenty of changes and new features, including the latest GNOME 47 release, more preinstalled tools for developers, and better signalling of background snap app updates. As a short-term release, Ubuntu 24.10 receives 9 months of supports. Users will need to upgrade again by July 2025 to keep getting updates. The next major update, Ubuntu 25.04, is released in April 2025. I showcase the new features in Ubuntu 24.10 in a separate article, so if you want lashing of detail do give that a
#News #Ubuntu24_10
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2024/10/ubuntu-24-10-now-available-to-download
Ubuntu Gamer? The Steam Snap Now Runs Better Than Ever
If you’re using Canonical’s Steam snap to game on Ubuntu you may be pleased to hear that a number appreciable performance improvements have begun to filter out. Valve recommend Ubuntu users stick to the official Steam DEB for the best experience but plenty of Ubuntu users prefer the convenience offered by the unofficial Steam snap maintained by Canonical and available to install through App Center. The latest release of snapd, the engine that powers snap apps, includes a couple of changes designed to improve the performance of the Steam snap specifically. Snapd 2.65 notably sees the removal of “all AppArmor
#News
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2024/10/ubuntu-gamer-the-steam-snap-now-runs-better-than-ever
KDE Plasma 6.2 Released, This is What’s New
A new major update to the KDE Plasma desktop has been released, and it’s jam-packed with new features, enhancements, and performance-focused improvements. Serving as the third release in the new 6.x series, KDE Plasma 6.2 builds on the foundations introduced in earlier this year in KDE Plasma 6.0 and KDE Plasma 6.1 (the latter being the version of KDE shipping out-of-the-box in the new Kubuntu 24.10 release). KDE developers say of the new update: “Plasma 6 has come into its own over the last two releases. The wrinkles that always come with a major migration have been ironed out, and
#News
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2024/10/kde-plasma-6-2-released-this-is-whats-new
Ardour 8.8 (Open Source DAW) Drops Fresh Fixes & Features
Ardour is one of the most popular and powerful open-source digital audio workstations (DAW) around, and a major new update was recently made available. Now, I won’t profess to be some kind of music-making maestro, though I did spend a lot my late teens face-first in FL Studio (formerly Fruity Loops) trying – and failing – to channel my inner Cash Cash (’08 era, before they got big). Ardour 8.8 is the second update to the DAW in 2 weeks because, as the software’s devs explain, “v8.7 was only released a couple of weeks ago, but it turned out to
#News #AppUpdates #Ardour #AudioApps #Daw
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2024/10/ardour-daw-updated-with-new-features
NetworkManager 1.50 Released with Compelling Set of Changes
A new version of NetworkManager – used by most Linux distributions (including Ubuntu) to manage wired and wireless network connections – was released this week. NetworkManager 1.50 won’t be included in Ubuntu 24.10 (that ships with v1.48) but I think some of the changes it makes may be worth knowing about all the same. Notably, NetworkManager 1.50 now formally deprecates support for dhclient in favour of its own internal DHCP client. The former is now no longer be built “…unless explicitely (sic) enabled, and will be removed in a future release.” Will this have a major issue? Unlikely; NetworkManager began
#News #AppUpdates #Networkmanager #Nmcli
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2024/10/networkmanager-1-50-released
