This tutorial will help you be more productive with LibreOffice Calc by taking benefit of the existing, thousands of Microsoft Excel's templates on the internet. Thanks to LibreOffice compatibility features, this is possible. With this, you can quickly make invoices, receipts, project management, budget plans, financial reports, bookkeeping, teacher/student records and many more. Let's try now! 

(A budget plan spreadsheet from Vertex42.com opened in Calc)

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We started a LibreOffice class in Indonesia this year 2022 and we tried hard to give everything useful for students, especially, using Excel templates in Calc. This is a good idea to boost up your productivity at your work. We hope this inspires everyone to create, share and enrich LibreOffice Writer templates more and more.

Warning about licenses: even though you can download a lot of templates gratis, and use them for personal purposes, you might be not permitted to use some for commercial purposes by their authors. For that reason, always check the license of every single template before reusing and resharing it. As a solution, it is better if you could find templates with free as in freedom licenses such as cc by-sa (license used by all Wikipedia pages) or in public domain or even better make them yourself. Trying out many templates will give you the ability to do so in Calc.  What you can create

• Calendars
  
• Invoices
• Receipts
  
• Pay slips
  
• Gantt charts
  
• Schedules 
• Forms
  
• Budget planning
• Financial reports (balance sheets)
  
• Project managements
  
• Project dashboards
  
• Student grade books
• Student score cards
  
• Student/employee attendances
  
• and many more...
  

 Resources

Below is a list of gratis (free of cost) Microsoft Excel template websites. They altogether provide the world most complete digital spreadsheet templates for all purposes possible including invoices, project management, pivot tables, academic records, and many more.

templates.office.com

vertex42.com

invoicesimple.com

trumpexcel.com

spreadsheet123.com

smartsheet.com

exceldatapro.com

calendarpedia.com

xltemplates.org 

businessaccountingbasics.co.uk  

double-entry-bookkeeping.com 

 

Document Format

xls : Excel 97-2003 old format.

xlsx : Excel 2007-365 new format.

xslt : Excel template format.

ods : Calc format.

ots : Calc template format, equivalent to xlst.

You can use whatever Excel/Calc format available without problems. However, the difference between normal formats (xlsx, ods) with template formats (xltx, ots) is that:

1) if you open the file, normal one will show its actual file name on titlebar while template one will show Untitled, and, 

2) if you edited them, saving a normal one will change its content while saving a template one will create a new file without changing the original content.

 

Expected Goals

If you pay attention closely, you will notice that LibreOffice Calc comes with no template at all. With this tutorial, your Calc should improve from that to having a lot of templates you can use for real work purposes.

Before:

After:

Process

1. Get an Excel template document file. 

You can search, find, visit and download them from any of resources above.

2. Open LibreOffice Calc.

3. Open the Excel document.

4. Document opened.

5. Do File > Templates > Save as Template > give it a name according to its original name > select My Templates category > Save > successfully imported a template. For further explanation, read our LibreOffice Templates Use Guide.

6. To use a template, do File > New > Templates > template chooser dialog will show > select a template > Open > a new untitled document with template will show > you are ready to write. Please read LibreOffice Templates Use Guide if you want to learn more.

6. To import another template, repeat steps number 1-5.  
 Template Examples  Calc Calendar This is a 2023 calendar published by Calendarpedia.com.


Calc Invoice  This is an invoice template published by invoicesimple.com.
 
Calc Budget Planner
This is a sophisticated family budget calculation, plan and report spreadsheet from Vertex42.com.
  
Calc Pay Slip  This is an employee pay slip template published by Vertex42. You can use this for your employees if you are managing a company / store.
 
 Example Project Management Gantt ChartThis is a project management with Gantt Chart published by Vertex42.


Calc Financial Report / Balance Sheet This is a financial report (balance sheet) published by Vertex42.
 

Calc Money Management This is a money management with accounting and report included from Vertex42.


Calc Bookkeeping This is an accounting journal published by SmartSheet.com.

  Calc Project DashboardThis is a useful project portfolio dashboard with data and various charts from SmartSheet.  Calc Student Attendance Book
This is a template for teacher to record their student attendance at school by XLTemplates.org. 

 Calc Student Gradebook and Score Card  This is a student score record, grades, and school report card for parents in one template published by ExcelDataPro.com.



References

What is LibreOffice? 

LibreOffice Templates Download Center

This article is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

This list will help you recognize, get and play FOSS games on Ubuntu. By FOSS we mean no Valve Steam, only Free/Libre Open Source Software ones. Among them are widely known such as Freedoom and Super Tux Kart, and some of them also need more introduction such as Speed Dreams and Tux Math. Most of them can be added to Ubuntu via Software. We include both categories of educational and recreational ones here. This compilation is hoped to be helpful for teachers in teaching computing with FOSS including the games. Happy reading!
  Subscribe to UbuntuBuzz Telegram Channel to get article updates.


Super Tux Kart

Name: SuperTuxKart

Description: proudly, the racing game icon of our free software community. It is a multiplayer 3D kart racing with free software mascots, like Gnu and Tux, as the riders. You can play it single- or two-player with your kids.

Similarity: Crash Team Racing

Genre: 3D racing

Multiplayer: yes
Availability: deb, snap

License: free software, free data

 

Super Tux
Name: SuperTux 2

Description: SuperTux (not to be confused with SuperTuxKart) is a penguin adventure game! Jump over monsters, earn coins, and get food to win the games. Play this amusing game with your kids.

Similarity: Super Mario Bros

Genre: 2D side-scrolling adventure

Multiplayer: no

Availability: Deb

License: free software, free data

Website: https://www.supertux.org

0 A. D.
Name: 0 A. D.

Description: pronounced zero-ay-dee, 0 A.D. is the empires game of free software community. Build a country and attack other countries or defeat their economy to win. Feel one of the best graphics of FOSS on Ubuntu.

Similarity: Age of Empires III

Genre: Real Time Strategy (RTS)

Multiplayer: yes

Availability: deb, snap

License: free software, free data

Website: https://play0ad.com

 
Doom II
Name: FreeDoom

Description: the world first FPS game, Doom, has been successfully re-produced by our community. PrBoom/FreeDoom is a version of Doom II that is fully free game both in software and in data.


Similarity: Doom II


Genre: First Person Shooter (FPS)


Multiplayer: yes


Availability: Deb, Snap


License: free software, free data


Website: prboom-plus.sourceforge.io, freedoom.github.io
 
Doom III


Name: Dhewm3

Description: Dhewm3 is a free software version of the world-rocking FPS of its own age (was competing with Half Life 2 at that time) Doom III. Unfortunately, it requires you to have the original Doom CD/DVD in order to use the proprietary data and we don’t know of any way it can play with a free data. In other words, it has not yet reached the stage Doom II already reached.

Similarity: Doom III

Genre: FPS

Multiplayer: yes

Availability: Deb

License: free software, no free data

Website: https://dhewm3.org

Frozen Bubble

Name: Frozen Bubble


Description: a colorful marbles shooting game with the cute penguin, Tux, you can play in two-player with your kids.


Similarity: Puzzle Bobble

Genre: kids arcade


Multiplayer: yes


Availability: Deb
 
License: free software, free data


Website: www.frozen-bubble.org

 

FlightGear 

Name: FlightGear

Description: realistic 3D aircraft, helicopter flight simulator. This game can take you flying freely with beautiful scenery.

Similarity: Microsoft Flight Simulator

Genre: flight simulator

Multiplayer:

Availability: Deb, Snap

License: free software, free data

Website: www.flightgear.orgp { line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.25cm; background: transparent }a:link { color: #000080; so-language: zxx; text-decoration: underline }

 

Warzone 2100 
Name: Warzone

Description: futuristic 3D real time strategy, battle against colonies of robots and alients.

Similarity: Starcraft

Genre: RTS

Multiplayer: yes

Availability: Deb, Snap

License: free software, free data

Website: https://wz2100.net

Chromium BSU
Name: Chromium BSU

Description: Chromium BSU (not to be confused with Chromium Browser) is an arcade 2D aircraft shooting adventure.

Similarity: a lot of arcade aircraft shooting games

Genre: arcade aircraft

Multiplayer: no

Availability: Deb

License: free software, free data
 
Website: chromium-bsu.sourceforge.io

 
OpenRA

Name: OpenRA

Description: OpenRA is a free software version of three games of Command Conquer real time strategy (RTS), namely Red Alert, Tiberian Dawn and Dune 2000.

Similarity: Command Conquer, Red Alert, Tiberian Dawn, Dune 2000

Genre: RTS

Multiplayer: yes

Availability: AppImage

License: free software, no free data

Website: https://www.openra.net

OpenTTD 

 
Name: OpenTTD

Description: OpenTTD is a free software version of popular city (transportation) building Transport Tycoon Deluxe. You are a mayor and you should build your city transportation as good as possible.

Similarity: Transport Tycoon Deluxe

Genre: city simulation

Multiplayer: no

Availability: Deb

License: free software, free data

Website: www.openttd.org

OpenSA

Name: OpenSA

Description: created with the same engine software as OpenRA, OpenSA is an RTS game of war between insects like ants, spiders etc. using bazooka and other guns in a swarm. It’s name is a pointer that it is a free software version of an old, abandoned proprietary game called Swarm Assault.

Similarity: Swarm Assault

Genre: RTS

Multiplayer:

Availability: AppImage

License: free software, no free data

Website: www.moddb.com/mods/opensa

Swell Foop

Name: Swell Foop

Description: this is a colorful same game from GNOME. You can play this to get rid some free time, or play colors with kids. It's officially available on Ubuntu.

Similarity: Same Game

Genre: kids, puzzle game

Multiplayer: no

Availability: deb

License: free software, free data

Website: wiki.gnome.org/Apps/Swell%20Foop

p { line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.25cm; background: transparent }a:link { color: #000080; so-language: zxx; text-decoration: underline }TORCS

Name: TORCS

Description: The Open Racing Car Simulator (TORCS) invites you to play 3D car racing games. It's available officially on Ubuntu.

Similarity: Need For Speed

Genre: 3D car racing

Multiplayer: yes

Availability: Deb

License: free software, free data

Website: https://torcs.sourceforge.net

 

Tux Math

Name: Tux Math

Description: TuxMath (tuxmath) is an educational game for kids learning their math. It can be played either alone or together, for kids from age of Elementary Student to even High School ones. Questions will fall from the above slowly and the kid should answer it, for example, 1 + 1 = ?, until all of them finished. The more your kids play it, the more they will be better in math.

Similarity: -

Genre: education

Multiplayer: yes

Availability: Deb

License: free software, free data

Website: https://sourceforge.net/projects/tuxmath

Tux Typing
Name: Tux Typing

Description: TuxTyping (tuxtype) is an education game for all ages suitable for children and adults. It is capable to train players about vocabularies, in English and other language, as well as typing quickly with keyboard. The questions can be edited by teacher to custom them according to each school curriculum, for example.

Similarity: -

Genre: education

Multiplayer: no

Availability: deb

License: free software, free data

Website: https://sourceforge.net/projects/tuxtype

 Tux Paint

Name: Tux Paint

Description: TuxPaint is an award-winning drawing program for kids. From our perspective, it also is suitable as well as game for kids. It allows parents to guide their children play with computer just safe and fun. Draw something and you will hear cute sound every time you click. Want to draw cars?  There are plenty of them available you just click to place it on your picture. It's officially available on Ubuntu.

Similarity: -

Genre: education

Multiplayer: no

Availability: deb

License: free software, free data

Website:

 

Red Eclipse

Name: Red Eclipse

Description: not to be confused with Eclipse software for Java programming, Red Eclipse is a sophisticated-graphics fast-paced First Person Shooter (FPS) 3D game. It is created with Tesseract, a heavy modification of the legendary Cube 2: Sauerbraten game engine software.

Similarity: Counter Strike, Xonotic

Genre: FPS

Multiplayer: yes

Availability: Deb, Snap

License: free software, free data

Website: www.redeclipse.net

 (Tesseract game engine video from YouTube) 

Speed Dreams

Name: Speed Dreams

Description: a 3D sport car racing game.

Similarity: Need For Speed, TORCS

Genre: 3D car racing

Multiplayer: yes

Availability: AppImage

License: free software, free data

Website: www.speed-dreams.net/en

Xonotic

Name: Xonotic

Description: a futuristic, excellent-graphics fast-playing 3D FPS game. It is derived from another game called Nexuiz (before said game was made proprietary) to keep it free and in turn derived from Darkplaces game engine making it a Quake family.

Similarity: Nexuiz

Genre: FPS

Multiplayer: yes, with offline mode available

Availability: Deb, Snap

License: free software, free data

Website: https://xonotic.org

 
Zaz

Name: Zaz

Description: Zaz (Zaz’s Ain’t Zuma) is a free Zuma’s clone, a rotating marble shooting game. Play this with your entire family from kids to grandma.

p { line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.25cm; background: transparent }a:link { color: #000080; so-language: zxx; text-decoration: underline }

Similarity: Zuma, Luxor

Genre: 2D marble shooting

Multiplayer: no

Availability: Deb

License: free software, free data

Website: https://zaz.sourceforge.net

 
Worth Mentioning

2D game maker software

Godot

Solarus

GDevelop

LOVE

3D game maker software

Godot

See Also

All in one simulators

RetroArch

Nintendo games simulators

SEGA games simulators

PlayStation games simulators

Xbox games simulators

Windows games emulators

This article is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

This tutorial will help you enrich your LibreOffice Writer by making use of the existing, thousands of Microsoft Word's templates on the internet. Thanks to LibreOffice compatibility features, this is possible. With this, you can quickly make academic papers, brochures, business letters, newsletters, resumes/CV and many more. Let's try now! 

(A Word template from Hloom.com opened in Writer)

Subscribe to UbuntuBuzz Telegram Channel to get article updates.

About

We started a LibreOffice class in Indonesia this year 2022 and we tried hard to give everything useful for students, especially, using Word templates in Writer. This is a good idea to boost up your productivity without losing your time to re-create everything from zero or waiting for somebody else making it for LibreOffice. We hope this inspires everyone to create, share and enrich LibreOffice Writer templates more and more.

Warning about licenses: even though you can download a lot of templates gratis, and use them for personal purposes, you might be not permitted to use some for commercial purposes by their authors. For that reason, always check the license of every single template before reusing and resharing it. As a solution, it is better if you could find templates with free as in freedom licenses such as cc by-sa (license used by all Wikipedia pages) or in public domain or even better make them yourself. Trying out many templates will give you the ability to do so.

What you can create

• Letter
• Business letter
• Business card
  
• Calendar 
• Invoice
• Newsletter
• Food menu
  
• Academic paper / thesis / dissertation 
• Resume / Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Brochure / pamphlete / promotional flyer

 

Resources

Below is a list of gratis (free of cost) Microsoft Word template websites. They altogether provide the world most complete digital text document templates, including, but not limited to, academic writings, business letters, brochures, flyers, teaching materials, etc. Some of them require registration, many others provide direct links.

Vertex42

Microsoft

Hloom.com

Coolfreecv

Freesumes.com

StockLayouts.com

Calendarpedia.com

Wise.com

HubSpot.com

TemplateLab.com

SampleTemplates.com

Template.net

Academic Resources

Below is a list of several university and research websites that provide gratis (free of cost) Microsoft Word templates for academic purposes, for example, papers/journals, theses, dissertations, and many more. Please note that if you don't find your favorite universities like Cambridge or Harvard publishing Word templates, it is mostly because they prefer another writing system, usually LaTeX, rather than Word.

MIT, United States

ACM

IEEE

IETF

University of Washington, US

University of Winconsin Whitewater, US

Walden University, US

National American University, US

University of Massachusetts Amherst, US

Document Format

doc : Word 97-2003 old format.

docx : Word 2007-365 new format.

dot : old Word template format.

dotx : new Word template format.

odt : Writer format.

ott : Writer template format, equivalent to dotx.

You can use whatever Word/Writer format available without problems. However, the difference between normal formats (docx, odt) with template formats (dotx, ott) is that:

1) if you open the file, normal one will show its actual file name on titlebar while template one will show Untitled, and, 

2) if you edited them, saving a normal one will change its content while saving a template one will create a new file without changing the original content.

Process

1. Get a Word template document file. 

You can search, find, visit and download them from any of resources above.

2. Open LibreOffice Writer.

3. Open the Word document file.

4. Document opened.

5. Do File > Templates > Save as Template > give it a name according to its original name > select My Templates category > Save > successfully imported a template. For further explanation, read our Writer Templates Use Guide.

6. To use a template, do File > New > Templates > template chooser dialog will show > select a template > Open > a new untitled document with template will show > you are ready to write. Please read Writer Templates Use Guide if you want to learn more.

6. To import another template, repeat steps number 1-5.

 

Expected Goals

Your Writer should improve from previously it has just a few of templates to now has a lot of beautiful, rich and useful templates.

Before: 

After: 

Template Examples

Writer Resume Template / CV

 

Writer Invoice Template

 

Writer Business Plan

Writer Brochure

 

Writer Flyer

Writer Academic Paper / Journal

 

Writer Academic Thesis / Dissertation

 References

What is LibreOffice? 

LibreOffice Templates Download Center

This article is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

This tutorial will help you to use Microsoft Windows programs and games on Ubuntu using Wine software. You will start by examples we provide (FOSS only) and getting familiar to installing, running, managing and removing programs. We also supply further references for you to learn more. Enjoy!

Subscribe to UbuntuBuzz Telegram Channel to get article updates.

 

About Wine

 

Wine (Wine Is Not Emulator) is a collection of software called 'compatibility layer' that allows Microsoft Windows programs and games to run on GNU/Linux operating system. To use Wine on GNU/Linux, one should double-click any EXE or MSI files (some configuration needed) and the program should run or the installer wizard should show as if it runs natively on Windows. Currently, many Windows applications both gratis and commercial ones, and also many games both 2D and 3D including the online ones, from the oldest to the newest (with various degrees of success), are successfully running on GNU/Linux thanks to Wine. There is no alternative to Wine to run Windows apps and games on GNU system. Wine is one of the world greatest compatibility layer projects in computing. Visit its website https://winehq.org.

 

Why do we need Wine? 

In our opinion we will need Wine in several conditions:

1. To run needed, old applications that still do not have a FOSS replacement / continuation yet. This case is often found at companies and offices.

2. To test Free Software that released for Windows without having Windows itself.

3. To run games needed by you or people important to you. 

4. To learn software development (engineering, debugging, reverse, API, etc.) both in general and in specific area for Windows.

5. To help with Wine development itself.

6. To help development of Windows-like operating system like ReactOS, and many other purposes. 

In this tutorial, we will only give you examples of Free/Libre Open Source Software (also known as FOSS), such as LibreOffice, by their Microsoft Windows version. We don't give example of proprietary software, both gratis and commercial kind, such as Photoshop.

 

Examples

We pick several applications and games in Windows format namely EXE and MSI as examples in this exercise. They are Free/Libre Open Source Software (FOSS). So please download them before practicing the rest of this tutorial.

1) Peazip https://peazip.github.io

2) Sumatra PDF https://sumatrapdfreader.org

3) LibreOffice https://www.libreoffice.org

4) Inkscape https://inkscape.org

5) Notepad++ https://notepad-plus-plus.org

 

Wine Versions

1) Wine32: for running i386-architecture version of Windows applications.

2) Wine64: for running amd64-architecture version of Windows applications.

 

Wine Front-Ends

A front-end is a user interface for another program that does not have user interface. Wine does not have user interface. So there are several Wine front-ends to help end-users add, install, run, remove, manage their Windows apps and games.  

1) PlayOnLinux

2) Q4Wine

3) Bottles

Wine InstallationRefer to Installation Guide to add Wine software to your Ubuntu system.

Application Installation

Once you installed Wine properly, you can start installing applications.

1. Make sure you have the program file in .exe extension.

2. Right-click the file > Open with Wine. 

If no Wine option exists, select Open With ... instead and type wine in the text box and press Enter. (Note: this works with Dolphin file manager and does not work with Nautilus)

3. Wait for a while.

4. Windows application will run or its installer will show. 

5. If it is an installer, simply click Next until Finish.

6. Run the application from start menu.

 

Game Installation

Similarly to normal applications, you can install games too, of course. 

1. Make sure you have the program file in .exe extension.

2. Right-click the file and select Open With Wine.  

(Note: this works with Dolphin file manager and does not work with Nautilus, see Terminal section below for solution)

3. The game will play or the installer will show. 

4. If it is an installer, then click Next continuously until Finish.

5. Game is installed and can be played from start menu.

 

MSI Installation

Please note that in general Windows accepts two kinds of executable, namely .exe that has been explained above, and .msi that will be explained below. For clarification, MSI stands for MicroSoft Installer.

1. Make sure you have the program file in .msi format. 

2. Right-click the file > Open With ... > a dialog will show > type msiexec /i in the box > press Enter. 

3. The program or game will show its installer. 

Running Applications using Terminal

If you cannot run Wine with methods explained above, you may use Ubuntu Files, that does not support calling command line. As a solution, we can also run the programs with wine command lines using Terminal. This will help you who use Ubuntu GNOME.

Running program files with .exe extension:

$ wine program-file.exe

Running program file with .msi extension:

$ msiexec /i program-file.msi

If you want to know more command lines, read Wine's documentation:

$ man wine
References 
https://www.winehq.org

This article is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

This tutorial will help ypu installing software required to develop desktop Ubuntu applications with C++ language and GTKmm library version 4. You might want to do so following examples of the excellent programs created with GTKmm like Ardour, Inkscape, GParted, Rawtherapee and even VisualBoyAdvance. This is an alternative to programming with C/GTK as we published back in 2018. We will show you how to prepare the tools, write your first program, compile it and repeat it.

Subscribe to UbuntuBuzz Telegram Channel to get article updates.

Info

This tutorial is written using the following specification:

• OS version: Ubuntu 22.10 Kinetic Kudu
• G++ version: 12.2 
• GTK version: 4.0
  
• GTKmm version: 4.0
• Geany version: 1.38 "Sulamar"
  

 

Install Required Tools

You need to install the following tools:

• g++
• gtkmm
• geany
  

1) Install g++ compiler:

$ sudo apt-get install g++

2) Install geany integrated development environment (IDE):

$ sudo apt-get install geany 

3) Install gtkmm:

According to Official Documentation, gtkmm version 4 requires several dependencies:

• sigc++-3.0

• gtk4

• glibmm-2.68

• cairomm-1.16

• pangomm-2.48

According to the same documentation, one can install gtkmm version 4 with the following Ubuntu command line:

$ sudo apt-get install libgtkmm-4.0-dev

Once installed, you can start programming. 

 

Checking your installation

Command line below will help you verify your installation:

$ dpkg -l | grep -i gtkmm

If installed properly, your Terminal will show similar result to this picture:

Write Basic Program

According to the documentation again, we can start programming C++/gtkmm with the example source code.

1. Run Geany.

2. Create new file. 

3. Save it as program1.cc in ~/Public/gtkmm/ directory.

4. Copy and paste the following source code.

5. Save file.

A program's source code will look like picture below:

(Geany showing program1.cc file)

 

Compile and Run Code

For your first experience, let's compile the code using Terminal.

1. Run Terminal. 

2. Go to ~/Public/gtkmm/ directory.

3. Check for files available in this directory. It should show program1.cc file.

4. Run command line below:

$ g++ program1.cc -o program1 `pkg-config --cflags --libs gtkmm-4.0` -std=c++17

5. Check for files once again. It should now show a new file named program1 without extension.

6. Run the program:

$ ./program1

7. Program will show as an empty window and a title.

You managed to compile your first program. 

(Terminal showing a process of compilation with the program window showing floating over it saying on its titlebar Basic application, hello from Ubuntu Buzz!)

Explanation:

g++ is your compiler program for C++ language.

program1.cc is your source code file. 

program is the executable file as a result of compilation. Notice that on Ubuntu it does not have extension if you compare it to .exe in windows.

pkg-config is another command line program that is smart enough to help us in many things about compiling C++ code with GTKmm or other libraries.

c++17 is a sign that we deliberately tell the compiler to use the relatively new 2017 standard rather than the older ones.

More explanation can be read on the official documentation. 

Compile and Run Code with Geany

At default configuration, Geany cannot compile, build and run C++/GTKmm source codes correctly. For that purpose, one should configure Geany build commands manually. You can do this following the example above.  

 

Configuration:

1. Run Geany.

2. Open menu Build > Set Build Commands. 

3. Change Compile command from the default to the custom as the following:

Default command:

g++ -Wall -c "%f"

Custom compile command:

g++ -Wall -c "%f" `pkg-config --cflags --libs gtkmm-4.0` -std=c++17

4. Change Build command from the default to the custom below:

Default command:

g++ -Wall -o "%e" "%f"

Custom build command:

g++ -Wall -o "%e" "%f" `pkg-config --cflags --libs gtkmm-4.0` -std=c++17

5. Click OK. Configuration finished.

Picture below shows clearly how you should write the configuration above:

Compiling, building and running:

1. Open program1.cc file.

2. Click Compile button. 

Geany will process it and show compilation command as well as compilation message at the bottom section. It should say "Compilation finished successfully."

3. Click Build button. 

Geany will process it too the same way. It should also say "Compilation finished successfully." 

4. Click Run button.

Geany will launch Terminal to launch the program1 executable file on screen. Your program window should be running now.

And picture below shows the result, that is, an example of conveniently compiling, building, and running program with Geany:

(Geany showing the C++ source code, compilation message at the bottom, and running the resulting program as a new window launched via a Terminal)

To this point, now you will be able to learn single file C++/gtkmm examples. To learn more, see below. 

 

Compiling Program with Multiple Source File

You should be able to compile any gtkmm example programs that consisted of multiple source file each. For example, let's practice with Hello World example from https://gnome.pages.gitlab.gnome.org/gtkmm-documentation/sec-helloworld.html. It consisted of two .cc files and one .h file. We will write the source files using Geany and then compile them all using Terminal. 

1. Run Geany. We will save everything in ~/Public/gtkmm directory again.

2. Copy, paste and save the first source file as helloworld.h

3. Copy, paste and save the second source file as helloworld.cc

4. Copy, paste and save the third source file as main.cc

5. Run Terminal and go to ~/Public/gtkmm directory.

6. Check available files in current directory. You should be able to see helloworld.h, helloworld.cc, and main.cc.

7. Compile the program with command line below:

$ g++ helloworld.cc main.cc -o main `pkg-config --cflags --libs gtkmm-4.0` -std=c++17

8. Compilation process should be finished without error.

Notice that now we call both .cc files before the option -o.

9. Check available files once again. Now you should find a new file named main without extension.

10. Run the program:

$ ./main

You should see the same program as presented in the official documentation. Every time you click the button, a message will be printed on Terminal. See picture below.

First source code:

File: helloworld.h (For use with gtkmm 4)

#ifndef GTKMM_EXAMPLE_HELLOWORLD_H
#define GTKMM_EXAMPLE_HELLOWORLD_H

#include <gtkmm/button.h>
#include <gtkmm/window.h>

class HelloWorld : public Gtk::Window
{

public:
HelloWorld();
~HelloWorld() override;

protected:
//Signal handlers:
void on_button_clicked();

//Member widgets:
Gtk::Button m_button;
};

#endif // GTKMM_EXAMPLE_HELLOWORLD_H

Second source code:

File: helloworld.cc (For use with gtkmm 4)

#include "helloworld.h"
#include <iostream>

HelloWorld::HelloWorld()
: m_button("Hello World") // creates a new button with label "Hello World".
{
// Sets the margin around the button.
m_button.set_margin(10);

// When the button receives the "clicked" signal, it will call the
// on_button_clicked() method defined below.
m_button.signal_clicked().connect(sigc::mem_fun(*this,
&HelloWorld::on_button_clicked));

// This packs the button into the Window (a container).
set_child(m_button);
}

HelloWorld::~HelloWorld()
{
}

void HelloWorld::on_button_clicked()
{
std::cout << "Hello World" << std::endl;
}

Third source code:

File: main.cc (For use with gtkmm 4)

#include "helloworld.h"
#include <gtkmm/application.h>

int main(int argc, char* argv[])
{
auto app = Gtk::Application::create("org.gtkmm.example");

//Shows the window and returns when it is closed.
return app->make_window_and_run<HelloWorld>(argc, argv);
}

 

More Examples

GNOME Project maintains a lot of C++/GTKmm examples for you to study at their website https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gtkmm-documentation/tree/master/examples. See for example, helloworld, buttons, combobox, and dialogs among others.

 (GNOME websites showing resources and source code examples available for studying)

See Further Reading section for even more examples. 

Setup GTKmm Documentation

Do you know that you can have a full GTKmm documentation included with examples and user guides inside a nice application you can read offline? Yes, that is DevHelp. Let's install the viewer devhelp and the documentation package gtkmm-documentation as the following:

$ sudo apt-get install devhelp gtkmm-documentation

And the result is as the following:

(DevHelp, a nice programming book application that helps you learning gtkmm)

Further Readings

Programming with gtkmm 4

GTKMM Website

GTKmm Tutorial

GTKmm Examples by gammasoft

GTKmm Examples by Prof. Rice

This article is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

This tutorial will help you join, message and call people freely using Matrix/Element Chat. You can use Matrix Chat on web (recommended), desktop and mobile. You are suggested to exercise this together with at least one friend of yours. We hope you will quickly find your community and happy with Matrix like us and others. 

Subscribe to UbuntuBuzz Telegram Channel to get article updates.

 

Requirements

• A computer
• An email account
• A web browser program on computer
• A phone (optional)
  
• An Element Mobile app on phone (optional)
  
• A password manager program like KeePassXC or KeePassDX (optional)
  

 

1. Installing Applications
For desktop PC and laptop:
There is Element Web available so no additional application required. Element Web is similar to Web user interface of Gmail, Telegram and WhatsApp. 
1. Run your web browser. 2. Visit https://app.element.io also known as Element Web.
3. You are ready. 
For Android phone:1. Run Play Store or F-Droid (recommended).2. Find Element Mobile. 3. Install Element Mobile.4. Run Element Mobile.5. You are ready. 
For Apple iPhone and iPad:1. Run AppStore. 2. Find Element Mobile. 3. Install it. 4. Run it. 5. You are ready.

2. Joining and Registration

Every identity in Matrix Chat including yours and your friend's will look like this @greenpeas:matrix.org consisted of @greenpeas the username and matrix.org the server. It must be unique so different persons can communicate to each other. No phone number, no real address required to join.

To enjoy messaging in Matrix, you need to register to a Matrix Server and today matrix.org is the most popular server among other servers. 

 

Register Matrix Chat using computer:

1. Visit https://app.element.io with your web browser

2. Create a new account by selecting server matrix.org

3. Fill in your email account for verification and recovery purposes

4. Fill in the captcha verification

5. Your Matrix Chat account created 

6. Save your username and password in your password manager e.g. KeePassXC

Register Matrix Chat using phone:

1. Run Element Mobile.

2. Create an account by selecting server matrix.org

3. Fill in username, password you want

4. Fill in your email for verification and recovery purposes

5. Fill in the captcha

6. Your Matrix Chat account created

7. Save your username and password in your password manager e.g. KeePassDX.

 

Login

On both desktop and phone, login to Matrix Chat by using your username and password. Once logged in, you can start group chats with people.

 

Logout

On desktop, click your avatar > Sign Out > you logged out.  

On mobile, tap your avatar > Settings > General > Sign out > you logged out.

 

3. Getting Started to the User Interface

Below is Element Web user interface viewed from desktop computer. It is very rich with features and basically divided into three columns.

1. Search, settings, contacts, and groups.

2. Group info.

3. Call, video call, search, notification, and room info.

4. Room info, group logo, members, files, and more.

5. Chat Messages.

6. Text input, including emoji, file upload and more options buttons.

7. Spaces area, including global settings on bottom.

 

Chapter 2

We use example accounts on desktop @greenpeas:matrix.org and on phone @redcherries:matrix.org. Below's animated pictures followed by simple explanation.

Start a Chat from desktop

1. Click Add

2. Select Start New Chat 

3. Enter your friend's username

4. Click Go

5. Start messaging him/her. 

6. Once accepted, you and your friend can reply chat to each other. 

Start a Chat from Phone

On our example,  once again our phone account is @redcherries:matrix.org our desktop account is @greenpeas:matrix.org. Below is an animated picture followed by simple explanation.

Using Element Mobile:

1. Tap New Message on bottom

2. Tap Start Chat.

3. Type a friend's account in the search box.

4. Tap his/her name.

5. Send a message.

6. Once your messaged accepted, you and your friend can reply to each other.

Basic ChattingFor the basic chatting ability you can do:
React to Message

To show your support to a message, you can give symbols like thumb up, heart, confetti etc: hover pointer to a message (or simply right-click on it) > React > select an emoji > reacted.

Reply MessageTo reply to a message, hover pointer to a message (or right-click on it) > Reply > write a message or upload a picture > click Send. 
 Edit MessageTo edit a sent message, hover pointer to a message > click the dots > Edit > edit the message > click Send. A status of (edited) will be shown under the message.Quote MessageTo quote a message, hover pointer to a message > click the dots > Quote >  either write a response to or simply send the quoted message as is.
Delete Message

To delete a message, hover pointer to a message > click the dots button on its corner > Delete > OK. Please note that unfortunately no multiple delete on Matrix Chat / Element at the moment.

Forward Message

To forward a message, hover pointer to a message > click the dots > Forward > a contact selection dialog will show > select a contact or a group > click Send beside its name > message forwarded. Please also note that unfortunately there is no multiple forward feature either. 

Share / Publish Message

If you want to share a message from a Matrix group chat to other people outside of Matrix Chat, for example, your social media and website, you can use Share feature: hover pointer to a message > click the dots > Share > a sharing dialog will show > copy the URL address > send it to your friend. Alternatively, you can use QR Code and other options offered to you on the same dialog.

Report Message

If you find somebody else's message disturbing you, you can report and block the message as well as the person and your report will be considered by your Matrix Server's administrator: click the dots > Report > write a reason such as "Spam." > click Ignore user (this will block him/her) > Send Report.

Chapter 3Create a Group Chat

On desktop:

1. Click Plus button > Create a room.

2. Create a private room dialog will show. 

3. Type a group name (see example below). 

4. Type an explanation of this group under Topic (you can change it later).

5. For most purposes, you can disable End-to-end encryption as it is more convenient for new users. If you and your members are in agreement, you can enable it later.

6. Click Create room. 

7. Group created. 

On phone: 

1. Tap New Message button.

2. Select Create room.

3. Create group name.

4. Create group description (optional, you can add it later).

5. Disable end-to-end encryption. 

6. Tap Create. 

7. Group created.

Share Invite Link

To invite other people to join your group, you use an invite link. It is a special URL that will open in web browser allowing a person to be a member of a group chat. Examples of Matrix invite links are: 

1) Private group: 

https://matrix.to/#/!RjlYjyWyGVCGWZkyMS:matrix.org?via=matrix.org.

2) Public group: 

https://matrix.to/#/#ubuntu:matrix.org

On desktop, invite link is available under group's Room Info > Share Link > invite link will show > give the link to your friends.

On phone, tap group name > group settings will show > tap Share button > tap Copy Link > paste it on an email, SMS, or messages to other people.

Chapter 4Join Existing Group Chat and Community

Matrix Chat has a growing number of groups in both private and public (and still increasing!). For example, groups of Matrix Chat as well as Element Messenger developers are available on Matrix, of course, just like computing community like Ubuntu and KDE. 

Clicking a link below will invite you to the Matrix group chat:

1. Ubuntu - about our computer FOSS operating system. 

2. Element Web/Desktop - about the chat application we are using now.

3. Computer Hardware - of course about computing. 

4. Foodies - about cooking recipes and food photos appreciation.

5. Japanese Language Learning Center - an example of very good group.

 

Accepting invite link

Suppose you have a Matrix Chat invite link above, let's say Ubuntu, what you should do?

1. Open the invite link on web browser. 

2. Make sure the group name reads correctly.

3. A choice or two of joining methods will be offered, mostly, Element Web. See picture below.

4. Click Continue. 

5. The group will be visible and click Join.

6. You joined group chat.

Chapter 5Share files, pictures and videos

1. Click Paper Clip button ("Attachment").

2. A file chooser dialog will show. 

3. Navigate, select and open a file or some files.

4. Click Upload to send the file(s).

(An example of file sharing with picture, document and even program)

 

Share location

1. Click additional button beside Emoji and Upload button.

2. Select Share Location.

3. Select one option, for example, Drop a Pin. 

4. A map will show. 

5. Click a city or a country on the map. 

6. Click Share Location.

7. You shared a map with your friend.

Make a poll

1. Click the same additional button.

2. Select Poll.

3. Write a description of your poll.

4. Write a question or an option.

5. Write several more questions if you like. 

6. Click Create Poll. 

7. You created a poll your friends can participate with.

 (An example of poll about favorite food) 
Chapter 5 Voice call

To make a call to a contact:

1. Click Phone Handle button ("Voice Call").

2. Wait for the call being established with "toot" sounds.

3. Once your contact receive it, you can talk with him/her.

4. Click Red button ("Hangup") to end call.

(Voice calling in Matrix Chat)

 

Video call

To make a video call to a contact:

1. Click Camera button ("Video Call").

2. Wait for the tooting sounds while establishing the call.

3. Once received, you can talk by seeing each other's face.

4. Click red Hangup button to end call.

(Video calling on Matrix Chat)

Chapter 6Share screen

From desktop:

1. Make a video call. 

2. If asked about permissions, accept them all.

3. A video call established, you can see each other's face. 

4. Click Share Screen button on the middle of video interface. 

5. If asked about what area will be shared, select Entire Screen or Full Screen and OK. 

6. Screen sharing activated and your friend should be able to see your desktop.

7. Click the same button or Red Hangup button to end screen sharing. 

 

(Two ways screen sharing both from/to desktop and phone) 

From phone:

1. Make a video call.

2. Once video call established, you can see each other's face. 

3. Tap more button beside Red Hangup button.

3. Select Share Screen. 

4. If asked about permission, allow them all. 

5. Screen sharing activated and your friend should be able to see your phone screen on their screen.

6. Tap the same button or Red Hangup button to end screen sharing.

Chapter 7SecuritySaving Your Security Key
On Desktop:
1. You will eventually be asked about creating security key. 
2. Once asked and you are ready, click OK. 
3. Download the security key file as TXT.
4. Run password manager (KeePassXC here). 
5. Create a new account on KeePassXC. 
6. Write your Matrix password on password text box.
7. Write your Matrix security key on Notes text box below it and save your security key file on Advanced section (left sidebar). 
8. Save.  9. Next time you login to Matrix Chat, make sure you can access your password and security key from the password manager.  
On phone:
1. You will be asked about creating security key, do so when you are ready. 
2. Create and then download the security key as TXT file. 
3. Run password manager (KeePassDX here). 
4. Create a new account in the KeePassXC. 
5. Write your Matrix password in it. 
6. Write or copy-paste your Matrix security key in it.

7. Save. 
8. Next time you login to Matrix Chat, make sure you can access both your password and security key text from the password manager. 
Afterword
That's all. Now you should have the basics you need to communicate with people using Matrix Chat. This article only covers a selection of basics and of course left many other things for you to discover and explore more. We hope this helps you and friends. Happy chatting!

References

Element User Guide 

Element Help and FAQ Documentation

Element Chat Intro by Ubuntu Buzz

This article is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

This tutorial will help you to use Scrcpy (screen copy) program so you can remotely and visually control your Android phone from Ubuntu laptop. Fortunately, it is available on Ubuntu and does not require root to work. This is useful for surprisingly many purposes will be explained below, including being helpful when your screen is damaged. Now let's try this excellent program!

Subscribe to UbuntuBuzz Telegram Channel to get article updates.

Why remote controlling Android phone screen?

1. You have a physically broken phone screen.

2. You want to play Android games on a larger laptop screen.

3. You want to experiment e.g. with adb in unique yet amusing ways.

4. You want an alternative (preferably FOSS one) of AirDroid.

5. You want to learn or exercise UI/UX in Android software development. 

6. You want to do things cannot be done by just USB/MTP cable file transfer connection.

Requirements

1. scrcpy

2. adb

3. An Android phone

4. An Ubuntu laptop / PC

5. A USB cable

6. USB debugging mode activated on Android phone

On our example, we will use Ubuntu 22.10 and 22.04 on laptop, and Android 5 on Lenovo A6000 phone. We can confirm that everything works well.

How To Activate Developer Mode/USB Debugging on Android

Do the following on phone:

1. Run Settings.

2. Go to About > Device Information.

3. Tap 7 times Build Number.

4. Developer Mode activated. 

5. Go back two steps.

6. Enter Developer Options section.

7. Enable USB Debugging. 

Now your phone is ready for ADB connections. Continue next step.

 

How To Prepare Ubuntu ADB

Do the following on Ubuntu laptop:

1. Run Terminal.

2. Install Android Debugging Bridge (ADB).

$ sudo apt-get install adb

3. Connect the phone using USB cable to the laptop.

4. Enable ADB.

$ adb start-server
$ adb kill-server # only do this command if there is something wrong

5. Accept pairing request message on phone. 

6. Check ADB devices on Ubuntu laptop.

$ adb devices # this will be "unauthorized"
$ adb devices # this will be "device" once answered OK on phone

Once detected and registered with ADB, now your phone is ready for screen copy. Continue next step.

How To Prepare Scrcpy

Do the following on Ubuntu too:

1. Install scrcpy.

$ sudo apt-get install scrcpy

2. Run scrcpy.

$ scrcpy

3. Start remote controlling.

Finally, Android phone screen will show up on Ubuntu desktop screen. You are ready to control it. On our example below, it is clear that scrcpy detects the phone is Lenovo A6000 on both the Terminal messages and the screen window.

How To Control you Phone

1. Do preparations above.

2. Use mouse clicks to tap every button.

3. Use keyboard to input text or command.

4. Use keystrokes translation below to control it.

5. Run your apps, play your games, visit websites you like etc.

Example below showing our Ubuntu 20.04 Desktop mirroring Android screen and controlling the phone to visit ubuntu.com website on the internet. It works!

 
List of keystrokes:

Tap = Click

Long tap = Hold click

Home button = Ctrl+H, Alt+H, Middle-click

Back button = Right-click

Application switcher button = Ctrl+S, Alt+S

Volume Up = Ctrl+Up, Alt+Up

Volume Down = Ctrl+Down, Alt+Down

Swipe Notification Down = Ctrl+N, Alt+N

Swipe Notification Up = Ctrl+Shift+N, Alt+Shift+N

Rotate screen = Ctrl+R, Alt+R

How To Stop Controlling

1. Ctrl+C on the Terminal. Or alternatively,

2. Close the Android screen window. 

Afterword

Personally the idea to write this tutorial comes when my phone (a gift from a student) broke its screen recently. The machine works except the input is mostly error. For example, I can run Settings but I cannot go to certain sections of it. If you had faced similar issues, you will understand how useful scrcpy is. Thanks to it, now I can access applications, files and games on the phone.

 

Referenceshttps://github.com/Genymobile/scrcpy

This article is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

This tutorial will help you to import, use, reuse, save and export/convert templates with Writer. You will learn about OTT file format, converting ODT and DOC to it, making new document from template with examples and pictures. Let's learn now.

Subscribe to UbuntuBuzz Telegram Channel to get article updates.
 
Introduction
What is a template? A template is a document file that is generic enough for reuse for other purposes to save user's time and efforts. For example, a business letter template is a generic letter you can reuse by modifying it with your own wording, logo, address, etc. without creating it from scratch. Writer supports creating and using templates. Writer community on the internet also made available a lot of templates you can download and reuse.

 (Karimunjawa, our new Writer template) 
Where do you find templates? LibreOffice: File > Templates > Manage Templates.
 Filesystem: Tools > Options > LibreOffice > Paths.
 Online: extensions.libreoffice.org/template-center and libreofficetemplates.net
 
Supported Formats
OTT - Open Template Format.

ODT - Open Document Text.
DOC - Microsoft Word 97-2003 document.
DOCX - Microsoft Word 2007-365 document
 DOT - Microsoft Word old template.
 DOTX - Microsoft Word new template.    (Supported formats of Writer and Word templates)


Importing Template to Writer

1. Run Writer.

2. Open a document.

3. File > Templates > Save as Template.

4. Write a name for it.

5. Select a category for it, e.g. My Templates.

6. Template is imported and ready to use.
 


How to use template

1. Run Writer.

2. File > New > Templates > select one from registered templates > Open.

3. Save as.

4. Edit it as you wish and save.  

How to edit document
There are many kinds of template. For example, a typical business letter template would contain:

• Logo: change it by inserting picture e.g. in PNG format.
• Recipient: change it to your recipient's name.
• Address: change it to your address.
• Content: write whatever you need to for your business recipient.
• and so on!

 

Exercise Example
This tutorial will be clearer with an activity. Do as the following, we will make use Writer built-in template to create a new letter document.

1. Run Writer.

2. File > New > Templates ...

3. Select Modern Business and Open.

4. A new untitled document will open with Modern Business artworks.

5. Save the document as my-business-letter.odt.

6. Edit necessary things like deleting unneeded text, replacing the logo, and writing the salutation and content.

7. Save. 
Make Default Template
Once more example often needed in real works is to make default an existing template. For example, you work with F4 paper size, you made an F4 template already, but when creating new document it will always be A4 not F4. How to make one your default?

1. Prepare a template, if didn't exist then create it. For F4 size, read our tutorial.

2. Run Writer.

3. Open the template.

4. File > Templates > Save as template > do as explained above > check mark Set as default > OK.

Alternative to step 3-4: File > Templates > Manage Templates > select a template > right-click and select Set as default > Open.  

5. Close LibreOffice.

6. Run Writer.

7. Now all new documents will use template you selected.


Convert/Export Template
If you have a Word template, you can convert them to Writer template. This is basically the same as opening a docx and then save it as a odt. It's useful for expanding LibreOffice and OpenDocument Format user base.

1. Run Writer.

2. Open a Writer or Word template file.

3. File > Save As.

4. Under file format selection, select OpenDocument Text Template (.ott).

5. Save.


Afterword
That's all. We hope this can help you working with templates on Writer. Feel free to experiment with both Writer and Word templates available on the net and modify them to suit your needs. Thank you and see you next time.


See Also
LibreOffice Writer Tutorials Collection
LibreOffice Calc Tutorials Collection  LibreOffice Math (Equation Editor) Tutorials Collection

References
https://www.libreoffice.org/discover/templates-and-extensions 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenDocument_technical_specification#Templates

This article is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

This collection will help you using LibreOffice Math so you can write mathematics and scientific equations easily on Writer, Calc, and Impress. Math is the equation editor of LibreOffice that is well integrated to every window and can be called with menubar Insert > Formula. We have several tutorials with examples and pictures included you can learn below. 

Subscribe to UbuntuBuzz Telegram Channel to get article updates.

1. Introduction

https://www.ubuntubuzz.com/2016/09/libreoffice-writer-equation-editor-writing-mathematical-formulas.html

The basics of using Writer with Math, how to call Math in the window, getting started with the toolbox, markup codes, and write basic maths like addition, substraction, multiplication and division then advanced ones like sigma, limit, and log.

2. Matrix

https://www.ubuntubuzz.com/2016/09/libreoffice-math-writing-matrix-with-examples.html

Examples of using Math to write various types of matrix.  

3. Limits

https://www.ubuntubuzz.com/2016/09/libreoffice-math-writing-various-limit-formulas.html

Examples of writing various types of limit.

 

4. Integrals

https://www.ubuntubuzz.com/2017/01/libreoffice-math-example-integral-formula-examples.html

Examples of writing various types of integrals. 

5. Linear Equations

https://www.ubuntubuzz.com/2017/02/libreoffice-math-linear-equation-examples.html

Examples of writing various types of linear algebra equations.

 

6. Trigonometry

https://www.ubuntubuzz.com/2017/02/libreoffice-math-trigonometry-equation-examples.html

Examples of writing various types of trigonometry notations and equations like sinus, cosinus, and tangent. 

 

7. Square Roots

https://www.ubuntubuzz.com/2017/02/libreoffice-math-square-root-equation-examples.html

Examples of writing various types of square roots. 

 

8. Sigma

https://www.ubuntubuzz.com/2017/02/libreoffice-math-sigma-equation-examples.html

Examples of writing various types of sigma. 

Afterword

We hope this collection will be really helpful to you, teachers and students everywhere in the world. Please consider to read other tutorials under See Also section. Happy writing, happy studying and see you next time. 

 

See Also

LibreOffice Writer Tutorials with Examples Collection

LibreOffice Calc Tutorials with Examples Collection

Learn Pivot Table

Learn Mail Merge

Draw Network Diagram 

This article is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

You might want to learn Rust on Ubuntu. Rust is a new computer programming language in the same categories as older ones namely C, C++ and Java. Using it, one can make programs for desktop, laptop, web and server as well as embedded computers. Created by Mozilla in 2010, Rust is now growing to be used to develop many critical software including some you use everyday, such as Firefox's Quantum engine, a FOSS remote desktop called RustDesk, and a new operating system called Redox OS. This tutorial will help you install required tools and write code in Rust. Don't worry to exercise as we also include uninstall steps too. What are you waiting for? Now let's try Rust for sure. 

Subscribe to UbuntuBuzz Telegram Channel to get article updates.A. Install Required Software
At the moment we write, Ubuntu 22.04 and 22.10 do not ship Rust compiler yet but only do for text editors that support Rust. In short, in this exercise you will need Rust compiler and Geany text editor. Follow these instructions:

Install Text Editor:

$ sudo apt-get install geany
$ geany --version
$ geany

Install Compiler:

$ sudo apt-get install curl
$ curl --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 -sSf https://sh.rustup.rs | sh
$ source "$HOME/.cargo/env"
$ rustc --version
$ cargo --version
$ rustup --version

Uninstallation:

If you want to uninstall Rust compiler installation completely from Ubuntu, follow these instructions:

$ rustup self uninstall
(Answer the question with Y)
 B. Write a Program
A program in Rust language is a text file with .rs extension. You can compare this to C with .c, C++ with .cpp and Java with .java. A Rust binary executable file extension will depend on the operating system, for example, .exe on Windows or .app on MacOS or .elf on GNU/Linux. Please note that in Unix family systems, program files may also have no extension at all. Because of that, we will use .elf extension for executable and .rs for source code to make the exercise easier for beginners.

1. Run Geany
2. Create a new file
3. Save it as program.rs in home directory
4. Write code below
5. Save

fn main(){
println!("Hello, world!");
}


C. Compile and Run the ProgramTo be meaningful to computer, every time we write a Rust program, we must compile it thus computer can run it. That means, translated in a way the source code changed into binary code suitable for your computer and operating system versions. There are 2 ways to do this, using CLI and using GUI.

Using command lines:
$ rustc -o program.elf program.rs
$ ./program.elf  
At the above, you compile the source code file program.rs into binary executable file program.elf and finally execute the resulting executable file. As a result, you see Hello, world! message on your screen. It means your program works successfully.

Using graphical text editor:
1. Run Geany
2. Open program.rs
3. Click Compile
4. Click Build
5. Click Run 
At the above, you do essentially the same thing as with the CLI method previously. You compile, run, and see the resulting Hello, world! message on your screen. What's the difference? Using this GUI method you use mouse clicks rather than command lines as Geany, the text editor, do it for you. 
Now you should understand how to do both methods.

D. Editing and RepeatingFinally, read Rust examples on their website (link available below). Try to edit your first code, compile it, and run it. Next, try again to write new code, save it, compile it, run it, and repeat. Feel free to use Geany, the text editor, as it is very convenience and fast to use for beginners. For example, we tried 10 examples one by one resulting in ten source files program-01.rs to program-010.rs. See picture below. 

Happy hacking!

E. Further Reading
The Rust Programming Language Book by Rust Project. 
Rust By Example, sample codes you can run, study, modify and share.

Rust (Programming Language) on Wikipedia

This article is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Backports repository is useful for Ubuntu users who want newer versions of certain software packages (including development tools, hardware drivers) only available in the newer OS release. For example, in Focal, we only get LibreOffice 6.4 at best, while to get LibreOffice 7 we usually should upgrade the OS version instead the software version. How to upgrade the software only? Ubuntu gives us Backports repository in order to solve this issue. This tutorial will explain in simple manners with examples to do that. 

 

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 This tutorial requires you to understand Basic Ubuntu Terminal Command Lines.  
Ubuntu Releases and Codenames

This is important if you want to install and upgrade software packages from Backports repository.

• Ubuntu 14.04 "Trusty Tahr"
  
• Ubuntu 16.04 "Xenial "Xerus"
  
• Ubuntu 18.04 "Bionic Beaver"
  
• Ubuntu 20.04 "Focal Fossa"
  
• Ubuntu 22.04 "Jammy Jellyfish"
  
• Ubuntu 22.10 "Kinetic Kudu"

What is Backports repository?

Backports is a common term in software development to call the versions of software intended for newer OS version made available (backported) to older OS version. In that sense, Ubuntu Backports Repository is a collection of software packages versions intended for newer Ubuntu OS versions made available (backported) to older Ubuntu OS versions. To know more about it, please read your /etc/apt/sources.list at the backports section.

 

Enabling Backports Repository

Copy and paste these lines of code into your /etc/apt/sources.list if only it doesn't have these lines. Please remember that lines beginning with ## or # are just comments and ignored by computer.

## N.B. software from this repository may not have been tested as
## extensively as that contained in the main release, although it includes
## newer versions of some applications which may provide useful features.
## Also, please note that software in backports WILL NOT receive any review
## or updates from the Ubuntu security team.
deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ jammy-backports main restricted universe multiverse
# deb-src http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ jammy-backports main restricted universe multiverse

Step 2. Delete single hashtag (#) in the beginning of line of deb, if any.

Step 3. Do an APT reload:

$ sudo apt-get update

Continue next section. 

 

Checking Available Software Versions

The best way to view all available software packages in Backports Repository is through Synaptic Package Manager. You can also use apt-cache command if you wish, explained further below. 

1. On Synaptic, see left panel. 
2. Select Origin option from bottom side.
3. Repository list will be shown instead of category list.
4. Select a repository which name includes backports.
5. Packages from that backports repository will be shown. 
6. See picture for example packages from backports from Focal Fossa.
   

Alternatively, you can check also individual package versions using apt-cache command lines like below:$ apt-cache policy libreoffice
$ apt-cache policy cockpit
$ apt-cache policy inkscape
$ apt-cache policy yt-dlp

Installing Software from Backports

Following the above examples, we explain below how to install software packages from backports with further examples. Installing from Backports is not the same with installing packages normally.

Formula:

apt-get install -t [RELEASE-backports] [package-name]

Example for Ubuntu 16.04:

This command will update LibreOffice versions on Xenial.

$ sudo apt-get install -t xenial-backports libreoffice

Example for 18.04, 20.04, and 22.04:

Each of these commands will update LibreOffice versions on Bionic, Focal and Jammy, respectively:

$ sudo apt-get install -t bionic-backports libreoffice
$ sudo apt-get install -t focal-backports libreoffice
$ sudo apt-get install -t jammy-backports libreoffice

Simply adapt examples above to your needs. 

 

Afterword

That's all. We hope now you can easily install and update any software package you want on Ubuntu with Backports. See you next time.

References

Backports Page by Ubuntu Help Documentation

Backports by Ubuntu Wiki Community

This article is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

This advisory tutorial containing apps, games and settings recommendation will help you having first steps to do after installing/upgrading your computer to Ubuntu 22.10 Kinetic Kudu. Let's find your convenience!
 Subscribe to UbuntuBuzz Telegram Channel to get article updates.
About Ubuntu 22.10 Kinetic Kudu
Ubuntu is a world class computer operating system originated from United Kingdom developed from Debian GNU/Linux by Canonical and Community. Ubuntu 22.10 codenamed Kinetic Kudu is the latest version of the OS released on October 2022. Visit Ubuntu.com for more info.


Step 1. Start Your System
First clicks:
    On first run, Ubuntu will welcome you and simply click Next until Finish.
 

APT Update: 
This is required to make Ubuntu ready for adding more apps and games.

•     Run Software & Updates.
•     Make sure repository options are checked to your needs.
•     Make sure mirror option is selected to one nearest to your place. We have best experiences using the mirrors.ubuntu.com option.
•     Close and if asked for Reload, do Reload.
•     Now Ubuntu is ready to add more software packages from 80000 packages available.

Step 2. Add Applications You Need
By these examples, you can quickly have the applications for your daily needs. Ubuntu 22.10 offers thousands of applications and games you can select. Please notice that Ubuntu Software offers two options, Snap and Deb, that can be switched per application page on its menu.

Installing Applications:

•     Run Software.
•     Browse and install an app.
•     Run the app.
•     Repeat for other stuffs.
•     Read Recommended Apps section for recommendations.

Browser addons:

•     Run Firefox.
•     Press Ctrl+Shift+A.
•     Find an addons by typing its name and press Enter.
•     If you find it, click Add to Firefox and follow the instructions.
•     Addon installed.
•     Repeat for other addons.
•     Read Recommended Apps section for good addons you might want.

Step 3. Configurations
By these examples, you can configure how your system works according to your needs. We give you 4 settings examples here for touchpad, drives, formats and resolutions. Once you are accustomed to these, you can explore more by yourself.
Monitor resolutions: Some people need to work using a certain display resolution. You can change yours:

•     Run Settings.
•     Go to Displays section.
•     Switch resolution to your needs.
•     Close Settings.
  

 


Touchpad:Ubuntu 22.10 is enhanced for touchscreen hence there is natural scrolling. But for most laptops you might want to change this behavior.

•     Run Settings.
•     Go to Touchpad section.
•     Enable Touchpad Tap To Click using mouse.
•     Disable Natural Scrolling.
•     Try your touchpad.

Automount disk drives:Windows users do not need to manually activate disk partitions one by one every startup. You can enable this feature too on Ubuntu:

•     Run Disks.
•     View your hard disk drive. You should recognizes all disk partitions here.
•     Select a partition.
•     Click Options button > Edit Mount Options.
•     Disable User Session Defaults. All other options should be activated now.
•     Delete mount point, retype it with /media/username/data1 for example.
•     Click OK.
•     Repeat for other partitions using names data2, data3 for example.

 

Centimeters or Inches:By default, LibreOffice uses Inches unit. But many of Ubuntu users don't especially us from Asia. So if you use Centimeters unit instead, change it:

•     On LibreOffice Writer, go to menu Tools > Options.
•     Go to LibreOffice Writer section > General.
•     Change Inch to Centimeter or vice versa.
•     Click OK.

Recommended Applications and Games
Games:

    0 A.D. -- the amazing graphics RTS now includes ancient China, more maps and a lot of new improvements.  

    TuxMath -- invite your kids to play amusing math with the Penguins.
    
Education:
    QStarDict -- desktop dictionary that can translate text everywhere.
    KAlzium -- periodic table explorer for physics and chemistry learnings. 

Software Development:    Geany -- fast and lightweight editor for any programming language. 

Graphic Design:
    Gimp -- a Photoshop alternative.
    Inkscape -- an Illustrator alternative.     Scribus -- along with Inkscape, a CorelDRAW alternative for printing.  

Electronics:
    KiCAD -- professionally draw electronic circuits, schematics and PCB designs.
    SimulIDE -- quickly simulate electronics circuits with oscilloscope included. 

Multimedia Production:
    Darktable -- a Lightroom alternative.
    OpenShot -- a Movie Maker alternative.
    LMMS -- a FruityLoops alternative.


Cross platform:
    Dosbox -- an emulator to run legacy DOS programs e.g. dBASE and games e.g. Doom (as example, for the purpose of reverse engineering them) on Ubuntu.    Wine -- to run Windows software and games on Ubuntu.
    
Browser addons:
    uBlock Origin -- an ad blocker that helps you keep privacy and save internet quota.


Afterword
How's your first computing with Ubuntu? We hope you find it lovely. Once you get the gist, you can explore more. If you want to learn more, we've prepared some series of tutorial for you below. Enjoy it and see you next time!
Ubuntu Beginner's Guide

Ubuntu Graphic Design with Inkscape

Ubuntu Photo Editing with GIMP

This article is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

This tutorial will help you install Ubuntu 22.10 operating system into your computer explained with pictures step by step. Codenamed Kinetic Kudu, it is the latest version of Ubuntu, the world most popular OS from the FOSS community. By reading this tutorial, you will be able to install Ubuntu into you PC and laptop in easy and safe ways without worry of accidentally deleting data. Now let's exercise and happy installing! 

Subscribe to UbuntuBuzz Telegram Channel to get article updates.

About Ubuntu

Ubuntu is a world-class computer operating system from United Kingdom developed by Canonical and the Community. It is available on various kinds of computer including desktop, laptop, server, embedded devices and Internet of Things. It is a free/open source software (FOSS) distribution derived from Debian GNU/Linux and the most popular in the world from its kind. The name Ubuntu is taken from an ancient African language, meaning, humanity for others. Visit Ubuntu.com.


See Ubuntu Preinstalled Computers section at the end of this article.

Installation Plan

We will install the OS into computer using an external, inexpensive USB flash drive as a hard disk replacement. This is a clever yet safe way to enable many people including novices to install Ubuntu (alongside with Windows, if any) without worry losing their data even repeating the steps if failed. In other words, this method allows maximum benefits while reducing risks to minimum. For experienced users, you can still exercise this tutorial by adapting it to your needs. For example, simply change flash disk back to hard disk as the storage.

Installation Requirements

Considering the plan, you will need:

• 1 x USB flash drive >= 8GB will be used as bootable medium.
• 1 x new USB flash drive >=32GB will be used as as hard disk.
• 1 x 64-bit computer or laptop.
• 1 x Ubuntu 22.10 Kinetic Kudu image file.
  

Backup

It is wise to make backup (copy) of all your hard disk data and save them somewhere else before doing Ubuntu installation. It is even wiser for novices. If the worst thing happened, at bare minimum you had the copy of all your data and do not lose them. You can do it by simply copying everything to external hard disk drive(s). If you considered making backup online, please encrypt it first before uploading.

Below you will read the full guide from "---START---" to "---FINISH---".

---START---

Download Ubuntu 22.10

Firstly, you must have a copy of Ubuntu 22.10. Download it from Kinetic Kudu download links here. You will get an ISO image file named ubuntu-22.10-desktop-amd64.iso. After downloading, continue to next step.

Making Installer Medium

Now, you should write the ISO image file into the first flash drive using a utility program on your existing operating system. Regardless you are currently using Windows, MacOS, or GNU/Linux, follow our tutorial Ubuntu Medium Creation Guide. After making one, continue next section.

Booting Up

• Plug the first flash drive in a USB port.
• Power on your computer. 
• You should boot into Ubuntu 22.10 from your first flash drive. 
• Select TRY UBUNTU instead of Install Ubuntu if asked.
• You see Ubuntu Desktop on your screen. 
• Continue next section.
  

Plug Second Flash Drive In

• Now, plug your second flash drive in. 
• Ubuntu will show it as a new drive.
• You will install Ubuntu 22.10 from first flash drive to second flash drive. 
• Continue next section.
  

Start Installation

• Double-click Install Ubuntu 22.10 icon on desktop. 
• Ubuntu Installer (also known as Ubiquity) will open.
• You are ready to perform the installation. 
• Continue to Step 1.
  

Step 1. Select Language

Select English and click Continue.

Step 2. Select Keyboard Layout

Select English (US) and click Continue.

Step 3. Select Networking 

Select I don't want to connect ... and click Continue.

Step 4. Select Install Mode

Select Normal Installation and click Continue.

Step 5. Create Partitions

Select Something Else (also known as Manual) and click Continue. This time you must create three disk partitions in the second flash drive. We give you example /dev/sdc is our second flash drive so we will partition in there.

Create EFI partition

• Select free space under the second flash drive.
• Click New.
• Fill the size 300 megabytes. 
• Fill the use as EFI SYSTEM PARTITION. 
• Click OK. 
• First partition, EFI, created.
• Continue next step.

Create SWAP partition

• Select free space under the second flash drive. 
• Click New. 
• Fill the size 1000 megabytes. 
• Fill use as swap area. 
• Click OK. 
• Second partition, SWAP, created. 
• Continue next step.
  

Create ROOT partition

• Select free space under second flash drive. 
• Click New. 
• Let the size as is, don't change it.
• Select the use as EXT2 Filesystem. (For hard disk drive, select EXT4 instead.)
• Select the mount point slash character ( / ).
• Click OK. 
• Third partition, ROOT, created.  
• Continue next step.
  

Select bootloader partition

• See under Boot Loader section. 
• Select your EFI System Partition as the location. 
• For example, as above the EFI is /dev/sdc1, then bootloader should be the same /dev/sdc1 too. 
• Continue next step.
  

View Installation Summary

• Click Install Now. 
• A summary will show. 
• Read carefully the summary and please make sure no mistakes in it. 
• If there is a mistake, click Cancel and fix the mistake.
• Click Continue if you are sure no mistakes in the summary. 
• You started the actual installation and cannot go back.
  

Start Installation

• To this point, the process is already started and you will see the next major step. 
• Continue.
  

 

Step 6. Select Timezone

On the world map, select your time zone. For example, we selected Asia/Jakarta as we live in Western area of Indonesia. Once selected, continue next step.

Step 7. Create username and password

On the password creation, fill all the blanks with your first name (for convenience) or you can create any username and password as you wish (for security). Continue next step once created.

Step 8. Wait and Finish

Ubuntu Installer will ask you to wait and show a beautiful presentation about Ubuntu and Canonical. You may consider to sip a cup of coffee or play with kids while it progressing. We can confirm this only takes 30 minutes or less on an old, low-end computer with a new SanDisk CruzerBlade flash drive (that means, should be faster on a better computer). 

Once finished, Ubuntu will notify you on the screen that Installation Complete. When this shows, click Restart Now. Continue next step.

Step 9. Remove medium and Restart

Ubuntu will show black screen and ask you to remove installation medium then press Enter. Do it by removing the first flash drive but don't remove the second one and press Enter. Computer will now restart. Continue last step.

Step 10. Final Result

Once restarted, finally your computer is now powered by Ubuntu 22.10 Kinetic Kudu. Remember that these procedures store your Ubuntu system in the second flash drive not your hard disk. Congratulations!

Dualbooting

Your computer is already dualbooted by exercising procedures above. It means, in one computer, there are two operating systems, Ubuntu and Windows (for most cases). When you plug your Ubuntu flash drive in, you can run your computer with Ubuntu. When you don't, your computer will run Windows. It's as simple as that.

Portability

Your Ubuntu is already portable by exercising procedures above. Try to use the second flash drive on another computer and see if Ubuntu 22.10 can run there. If it runs (and mostly it will), you find that our Ubuntu installation is portable.

Happy installing!

---FINISH--- 

 Available Ubuntu Preinstalled Computers

Aside from doing installation by hand, you might also considering to purchase a computer or a laptop preinstalled with Ubuntu. It is the same thing with getting a Windows laptop or a MacBook as the software installation has been finished by the manufacturer making the product fully ready to use. Such production for Ubuntu is already available from vendors below:

Lenovo

lenovo.com/us/en/d/linux-laptops-desktops

Lenovo offers Ubuntu preloaded workstations with their PC and laptop products namely ThinkPad Carbon and ThinkStation with ability to select CPU configuration between Intel Core i7 Gen. 12th or AMD Ryzen Threadripper before ordering. Selecting Ubuntu as operating system will reduce the cost.

Dell

dell.com/en-us/lp/linux-systems

Dell, the US manufacturer, since 20 years ago offers Ubuntu preloaded workstations with their PC and laptop products namely XPS, Latitute, Precision and OptiPlex. Selecting Ubuntu instead of Windows as the OS will reduce the cost.

System76 

system76.com

System76, since 2005, produces GNU/Linux-preloaded workstations with their desktops, laptops and servers namely Galago, Lemur, Darter, Thelio and many others. Ubuntu is available aside from their own brand system Pop_Os!.

Tuxedo

tuxedocomputers.com

Tuxedo Computers offers Ubuntu preloaded workstations with latest technology choices of Intel Core i9 and AMD Ryzen in their lines of products namely InfinityBook, Aura, Core and Cube.

This article is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Congratulations to Ubuntu community worldwide as Ubuntu 22.10 codenamed Kinetic Kudu has been released by Canonical on 20 October 2022. This is a regular release with 9-month support that comes with many new technologies. Special in this release is the return of Unity Desktop, the former user interface from Natty to Zesty era, welcomed as one of the official flavors. In this article, you will be able to download Ubuntu Desktop, Ubuntu Server and all official versions from Kubuntu to Ubuntu Unity. Happy downloading!

Subscribe to UbuntuBuzz Telegram Channel to get article updates.

 

Official Announcements

Before proceeding to the downloads, please read Ubuntu 22.10 official news, announcements and release notes by Canonical.

Official Announcement

Release Notes

Landscape Beta

Enterprise Support 

Ubuntu Documentation

Ubuntu Help and User Guide

Ubuntu Desktop

Ubuntu Desktop 22.10 Kinetic Kudu. This is the Ubuntu Desktop from Canonical featuring GNOME, Snap, and many other FOSS technologies. All other Flavors are variants derived from this version.

Download link: ubuntu-22.10-desktop-amd64.iso

Ubuntu Server

Ubuntu Server 22.10 is the official Ubuntu edition for server computers, networking and cloud.

Download link: ubuntu-22.10-live-server-amd64.iso

Kubuntu

Kubuntu is an Ubuntu Flavor with KDE Plasma Desktop, Dolphin file manager and LibreOffice suitable for most computer users especially who are traditionally accustomed to Microsoft Windows.

Download link: kubuntu-22.10-desktop-amd64.iso

Xubuntu

Xubuntu is Ubuntu with Xfce desktop, featuring Thunar file manager and LibreOffice geared for lightweight computing and better performance.

Download link: xubuntu-22.10-desktop-amd64.iso

Lubuntu

Lubuntu is Ubuntu with LXQt (formerly LXDE) desktop, PCManFM file manager, and Abiword + Gnumeric office suite geared for empowering older computers and high performance. 

Download link: lubuntu-22.10-desktop-amd64.iso

Ubuntu MATE

Ubuntu MATE is an Ubuntu Flavor with MATE Desktop Environment (formerly GNOME 2), Caja File Manager (formerly Nautilus 2), and LibreOffice.

Download link: ubuntu-mate-22.10-desktop-amd64.iso

Ubuntu Studio

Ubuntu Studio is an Ubuntu Flavor geared specifically for creativity and multimedia production featuring KDE Plasma Desktop (formerly Xfce) and a set of multimedia software consisted of, among others, Gimp and Blender 3D (for graphics), Ardour (for audio/music composition), and OpenShot (for video editing).

Download link: ubuntustudio-22.10-dvd-amd64.iso

Ubuntu Budgie

Ubuntu Budgie is an Ubuntu Flavor with Budgie Desktop featuring unique computing experience.

Download link: ubuntu-budgie-22.10-desktop-amd64.iso

Ubuntu Unity

Ubuntu Unity, formerly the official Ubuntu Desktop from Natty to Zesty, is now an Ubuntu Flavor with Unity Desktop featuring simple, easy to use yet powerful computing experience with original styles unique to any other OSes.

Download link: ubuntu-unity-22.10-desktop-amd64.iso

Mirrors

If you cannot download from official links above, you might want to consider downloading from a nearest link from mirrors below.

This is a list of FOSS instant messenger applications. It's aimed for people who want to quickly use and know more about Telegram, Signal and many others as free/libre open source software alternatives to Skype or WhatsApp proprietary messengers. We hope this helps you and your friends choose one. Happy communicating!
 
Subscribe to UbuntuBuzz Telegram Channel to get article updates. 
Please read About This Article section in the end of this article for some explanation.

Telegram

A group chat application that is fast, user friendly, simple, popular and full-featured. It supports multi-accounts, multi-devices, group video call and screen sharing. It's available on web, mobile and desktop and can be accessed on all at the same time. See Telegram Features/FAQ. To start Telegram with your friends, download the application or simply use Telegram Web. We recommend Telegram FOSS version available on F-Droid for Android users. Visit Telegram.org. (GNU GPLv3+)

Signal

A group chat application that is popular in both computer security and FOSS community people. It's available as mobile and desktop apps. See Signal's Features and Documentation. To start Signal with your freinds, you can install the mobile app. Visit Signal.org. (GNU GPLv3/AGPLv3)

Matrix/Element

A new group chat technology, luxuriously featured, that connects to other messengers. It features group video call, screen sharing, file transfer and many more. It is available on web, mobile and desktop. See its Features and Documentation. You can start by visiting the web application Element.io, sign up, login and start group chat together with your friends. (Apache 2.0 License) See the technology Matrix.org

 

Threema

A Swiss-based easy to use, full-featured, secure internet messenger. Formerly proprietary, it's been celebrated to become FOSS since 2020. It is fully available on mobile, desktop, and web. Group chats, video/voice calls, file transfer are a few of a lot of its features. No phone number or email required. See Features and Documentation. To start with Threema, you can start by installing its mobile version first. Visit Threema.ch. (GNU AGPLv3+)
Wire

A Swiss, European secure, good-looking and full-featured instant messenger. It was founded by ex-founders of Skype and then became FOSS since 2016. It is fully available on mobile, desktop and web. It features group chat, video/voice call and file transfer among others. See Feature List and Documentation.  Along with Jami, Wire is one among FSF's High Priority Project. To start, you can download the mobile application first. Visit Wire.com.

XMPP/Jabber

An older internet communication technology, full featured and is actually a world wide internet standard. It can be accessed via mobile, desktop, and web applications. We recommend you to start with Movim.eu (web), Gajim (desktop) or Conversations (mobile) so you can chat together with your friends. (Various free software licenses)
See the technology XMPP.org

Jitsi Meet 

A web video conferencing platform. It can be used instantly on web browser -- no signup required. See Features and Documentation. You can start by visiting meet.jit.si, create a meeting room, and invite your friends by link to start video/voice calling together. It is partly based on XMPP technology and is the video call part of Matrix/Element. (Apache License 2.0) See the technology Jitsi.org

BigBlueButton

A web video conference platform for teachers & schools and is well-integrated with other Learning Management Systems (LMS). It is available on web only. See Features and Documentation. Account registration is required for speaker/moderator, not required for participants. You can start by signing up at BigBlueButton.org by hiting 'Try It Now' then create a room and invite your friends. (GNU LGPLv3)

DeltaChat

A unique, modern and secure email-based instant messenger. It's available on mobile and desktop. It features group chat, voice/video call via Jitsi Meet and file transfer. Delta allows users to communicate with other people who do not use Delta as long as they have email. To start, you and friends can install the app and chat together with your existing email accounts. Visit Delta.chat. (GNU GPLv3)

 

Nextcloud Talk

Talk, part of Nextcloud, is the modern web video conferencing platform integrated within the all-in-one enterprise-grade web server storage. In functionalities, it is similar to Google Meet. To use it, you need sign up to a Nextcloud server that offers Talk service and you can start here nextcloud.com/sign-up. (GNU AGPLv3)

 

JamiJami is a newly developed peer-to-peer, secure multimedia instant messenger, full featured, and is a GNU Project. It's available on mobile and desktop. It offers video call, file transfer and screen sharing aside from its being actually a SIP telephony client. No phone number, real name, nor email and all data is stored in your own device -- no central server storage. See Features/FAQ. To start chatting, you and your friends can start by downloading Jami and chat each others by Jami ID. Visit Jami.net. (GNU GPLv3)

Mattermost 

A full-featured teamwork chat for internal use of software developer corporations and organizations that present itself as a Slack and Teams alternative. It features project management, search, voice call & screen sharing and integrations. See list of Features and read the Documentation. You can start by signing up on Mattermost.com. (Apache License 2.0)

Rocket.Chat

A Slack-like general purpose teamwork chat. It is available on web, mobile and desktop. Being general purpose it is very similar to Mattermost but is made ready for education, government and healthcare aside from software development. It features group chat, voice/video call, and integrations. It is able to communicate outside to WhatsApp, Facebook Pages, Twitter, Email and others. Uniquely, it also is able to receive landline phone calls and supports federation to both ways Rocket.Chat and Matrix. See Documentation. You can start by signing up a service trial on Rocket.chat.

Zulip Chat

A Slack-like general purpose, full-featured teamwork chat. It is available on web, mobile and desktop. Zulip features group chat, unlimited search, file transfer, video/voice call like Mattermost and RocketChat, but is unique thanks to its messages organized by topics (like subjects in email) keeping busy workspace tidy. Email is required to signup. You can start with Zulip by joining their public group chat. Visit Zulip.com.

RevoltA newly developed Discord-like modern group chat for communities. It is available on web, mobile and desktop. It features community, group chat, access controls, file sharing and voice call. It has a lot of active users, public groups and communities now. Join Revolt.chat. (GNU AGPL)

Worth Mentioning We mention several of them here as we think thet are still in early stage of development, not stable enough for everyday use. 

FOSSCord 

A self-hostable Discord clone in short. In details, a Discord-compatible, full-featured communication platform featuring group chat, file transfer video/voice call that allows users to connect to both Discord server as well as Fosscord servers. It is still in early development stage with considerably limited number of users. Visit Fosscord.com.

Tox Chat: FOSS, fully decentralized, cross-platform, and full-featured with E2EE and PFS security measures but has a warning for still being not complete. Visit Tox.chat.

Briar: FOSS, fully decentralized, can even send messages without internet access, but text-only, still in alpha stage, and supports none other than Android. It's an ongoing project with big supporters behind like NLNet organization. Visit Briarproject.org.

Important Notes

You might have been familiar with other popular applications but wondering why they are not mentioned at the above. We explain briefly as the following:

WhatsApp / LINE / Google Hangouts & Meet / Zoom Meeting / Microsoft Teams / Facebook Messenger / Skype / Discord:

they are all nonfree software. It is also called proprietary software. It means end-users must agree to fully lose their rights to control (use-study-modify-share) the software code running in their device. Read more about Proprietary Software.

We hope they will turn into fully free software soon following success examples of formerly proprietary/nonfree messengers, Wire and Threema, and also formerly nonfree software desktop applications like Blender and LibreOffice. 

 

About This Article

FOSS means free/libre, open source software. Please refer to free software definition and open source definition.

Modern instant messenger means full-multimedia real-time communication and often includes group chat, file sharing, video and voice call features -- not just text.

Applications means this is about the software end-user runs in their computer should be FOSS. This does not require the server to be FOSS.

This article is a help for you together with your friends to choose FOSS communication apps.

This article is not a debate between various technical opinions. 

Lastly, to most messengers we can say "download it" and to some other we cannot, because, some of them do not require users to add new software to the computer.

 

References

Free Software Definition 

Open Source Definition

Better Than Zoom by FSF 

Network Services are not Free or Nonfree ... by GNU Project & FSF

Remote Communication by FSF and LibrePlanet 

Skype Replacement by LibrePlanet

High Priority Projects by FSF

In Celebration of Becoming Open Source, ... by Threema

Instant Messengers Recommendation by PRISM-Break

Instant Messengers Recommendation by PrivacyTools.io

Instant Messengers Recommendation by PrivacyGuides

Better Than WhatsApp by FSF India

Secure messaging apps comparison 

Messengers Comparison by Threema

Messenger Comparison by Kuketz

Privacy is more than Crypto by FSF Europe 

This article is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Please welcome Cryptpad, an excellent Google Docs alternative from the free software community. For end-users, it provides online facilities of storage drive, text editor (pads), forms, spreadsheet, presentation, kanban boards, and a programming IDE. For self-hosting people, it is self-hostable with your own server and is able to integrate with OnlyOffice. Lastly, for everyone wanting to try it out, visit Cryptpad.fr to sign up and this article will help you getting started to it.

Subscribe to UbuntuBuzz Telegram Channel to get article updates.

Features

• CryptPad Drive (online storage)
• CryptPad Calendar
  
• CryptPad Rich Text (word processor)
• CyrptPad Sheet (spreadsheet)
• CryptPad Markdown Slides (presentation)
• CryptPad Form
• CryptPad Whiteboard
• Free Libre Open Source Software
  
• Multilanguage 
• Support team collaboration
  
• Secure with end-to-end-encryption
• Fast and lightweight
  
• Responsive and mobile friendly
• OnlyOffice integration

 

Getting Started to CryptPad

CryptPad is an end-to-end encrypted FOSS online collaboration suite for making text document, spreadsheet, presentation, forms / surveys / polls, kanban board, source code pastebin, pictures / drawing and more. Users do not need to worry to edit any document as there is history feature so every changes can be reverted back safely to its last point. To most people's point of view, it is as an alternative to Google Online Services like Drive, Docs, Forms and many others. The easiest way to try CryptPad is by signing up freely at CryptPad.fr.  

With CryptPad, you can do your daily tasks like making survey/registration forms or editing spreadsheet collectively in a team without worrying about software freedom, privacy, and security. For example, CryptPad is good for teachers who want to open an online course in computing with free software (and privacy) as an ethical and suitable entry point for the students. 

On the other hand, the software behind CryptPad itself is free and available for everyone to download and self-host to create more CryptPad servers ("instances") so more people can join. For people with system administration knowledge, the software is available at Cryptpad.org.

Finally, CryptPad loves to share. Every document you made with it can be shared online with a link. Not only that, you as the owner can determine if the recipient can either edit it or simply view it. Embedding the document into your web page can also be done through HTML code.

CryptPad Front Page

Once you are registered, the first page you will visit is the front page. From here, you can access all features of CryptPad. 

CryptPad offers these facilities:

Your username opens all your saved files. 

Calendar under your username opens the calendar.

Sheet creates a new spreadsheet document.

Rich text creates a new word processing document.

Kanban creates a new kanban board, often used for project planning.

Code creates a new programming source code or text book document.

Form creates a new form suitable for registration, survey, data input purposes.

Whiteboard creates a collaborative drawing space.

Markdown slides creates a presentation document.

CryptPad Drive

In the front page, click your registered username, you will visit the Drive. This page looks like a file manager in web browser. You will see your files and folders listed here once you made some of them. Picture below displays my files, mostly registration forms used in our online course, and some spreadsheet documents. CryptPad.fr offers 1GB space for free account.

CryptPad Calendar

Calendar helps you schedule your work, publish them and create automatic reminders. It offers three views daily, weekly, and monthly. It supports import and export ics files, the standard format file of calendar software. Like the other documents, Calendar can also be shared publicly as well as privately, with or without editing access. This is useful, let's say, to share class schedule to school students.

Above you can observe our real class schedules for October in brief. You can create one by first selecting view mode above, then select a date and give it a title such as "MATH CLASS" or "SCIENCE CLASS", click Save and a schedule is made. To publish a calendar, click Gear button and select Share.

CryptPad Sheet

Sheet, the spreadsheet, helps you process numeric data like you did with LibreOffice Calc / Microsoft Excel and it is integrated with the Form Builder. You can create, edit, open, save spreadsheet documents along with the famous formula like sum and vlookup as well as "Excel Table" (the missing feature in Calc), charts and even Pivot Table. As an example, we can say this is ultimately helpful after using this as student registration management in our online course for months today. Especially when you are a teacher, you will find CryptPad worthy to use soon.

As you can see, picture above shows the form result in spreadsheet document. Further, you can save (download) the document as either xlsx or pdf and open it offline using LibreOffice Calc.

 

CryptPad Rich Text

It is the word processor of CryptPad. It helps us create, open, edit and save rich text document easily. Basic editing works such as formatting (bold-italic-underline), inserting (tables and pictures), alignments, etc. Surprisingly, it supports also equation editor powered by the academically popular LaTeX technology. It is able to save as txt, md, doc and even pdf. However, it can only import md and html. Like any other document at CryptPad, it can also be shared publicly as well as privately with or without editing access right.

 Picture above shows a built-in example rich text document in CryptPad.

CryptPad Kanban

Kanban Board is widely known method useful to track and promote progress in a team work. It has a very simple user interface yet intuitive to use, can be published with or without edit access to anyone even if they do not have CryptPad account. To use it, simply write tasks under To Do, then move one to In Progress if being done, then move it to Done if it's done, and repeat. See example below.

The picture above is an example of a kanban for tracking an author progress in writing a book or article. Red is to do, yellow is in progress, and green is done. Firstly all tasks are in the red, we wrote them, then as the author is done with first paragraph, we move that task to green, while we move one to yellow as he is now continue writing the second paragraph. When all tasks finished, green will be the only one full.

CryptPad Code

Code / Markdown is an online text editor with excellent MarkDown support. With this, you can write / paste code in any programming language and publish it with syntax highlighting. You can also author a decent book using its MarkDown facility combined with complex mathematics support (MathJax), as well as visual diagrams and charts e.g. Flowchart, Pie Chart, Gantt Chart, and even mind map. However, please note that this does not include compiler / interpreter software so it is not an IDE.

CryptPad Form

With Form Builder, you can create online registrations, surveys or similar things. It is a straightforward Google Forms alternative you were looking for. Pictures below will explain more. Note: we apologises as they are in Indonesian language used from our online course.

Picture 1: Form Creation

Once you clicked Form, a new Form Builder will open like picture 1 above. You can start editing by Set Closing Date for example, then allowing Guest Access, before making up the rest of the questions.

Picture 2: Form creation viewed by owner

 CryptPad form builder above is very simple, easy and intuitive to use. Just click plus (+) sign and follow the guide to finish. You can make a good registration / survey form in just few minutes.

Picture 3: Form viewed by audiences

Above is what it looks like when viewed by your audiences. The mandatory questions will be marked "required" in red.

Picture 4: Result Example

Lastly, above is the report viewed by owner after being filled by audiences. Noticed something important here? Yes, the report can be read right in the browser as well as downloaded as Calc/Excel document. This is the excellent part, as CryptPad is integrated well with OnlyOffice Spreadsheet so you can edit and save the document later also without leaving your browser. This helps you reading and evaluating the data. See next section.

CryptPad Whiteboard

Whiteboard helps you draw freely, doodle, even mix pictures online alone as well as collaboratively in team. The use is pretty simple, choose either Brush or Select tool, then play with mouse clicks to draw lines with colors, then use Select to delete items. Resulting pictures can be saved and downloaded as PNG. It will be greater if the participants work together using tablet pen input. Picture below shows our doodles with some colors and a PNG logo inserted to the corner. 

 

CryptPad Slides

Markdown Slides helps us to create presentation and publish it online. As its name suggests, user should write text in MarkDown rules and it will translate automatically to slides, side by side. Picture below shows an example of making slides in CryptPad. 

Third Party Instances

CryptPad.fr is the official CryptPad online service from the developer team themselves. However, CryptPad.fr is not the only one, as there are many other third party CryptPad servers you can register to freely and use too. They are called "CryptPad instances". Visit cryptpad.org/instances.

Self-Hosting Bliss

CryptPad as a software is free/libre open source software licensed under GNU AGPL developed by the France-based company Xwiki. Because of that, unlike Google Docs, everyone else can download Cryptpad source code and then install it in their own server either with personal or professional capacity. That is self-hosting and that allows everyone, both persons as well as organizations, to be independent with good and useful software for they need. Given the features and ability we could see, CryptPad is truly a self-hosting bliss. Visit the software web page at CryptPad.org.

Good Documentation

Finally, CryptPad is blessed with good documentation in English. It includes User Guide, FAQ, Developer Guide, Administrator Guide, and also Contributor Guide. For example, most users will love to start with Spreadsheet guide under Applications section while self-hosting people will love to start with Installation guide under Administration section. They are written in a formal but friendly language everyone can understand. We wish success for CryptPad Project!

 

Picture 1: Spreadsheet User Guide 
 Picture 2: CryptPad Installation Guide for Sysadmin

Afterwords and Personal Comments
That is all our brief introduction of CryptPad. Personally, we had been used several online services from Framasoft, a free software organization also based in France, especially their Form Builder and finally found that CryptPad one is far better including their Spreadsheet, Rich Text Editor, Calendar and the last but not least, Documentation. To us, this is because CryptPad made them all fully in English, very easy to use, and documented well. All in all, CryptPad paves a new way for software freedom in the cyberspaces for most people which is previously difficult to reach. Thank you CryptPad!

This article is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

This tutorial will help you install Eclipse with its visual development tool Window Builder. With this, you can develop computer applications in Java programming language rapidly by drag and drop aside from writing code and produce high quality Graphical User Interface (GUI) applications. Now let's install it!

Subscribe to UbuntuBuzz Telegram Channel to get article updates.Requirements

• Ubuntu 20.04 or later
  
• OpenJDK 11
• JRE 11
  
• Eclipse 2022-09
• WindowBuilder 1.11

Install Eclipse

 

1. Visit https://www.eclipse.org/downloads.

2. Select Eclipse Installer for GNU/Linux operating system for x86_64.

3. You downloaded Eclipse program file in .tar.gz format. For our operating system, the file will look like eclipse-inst-jre-linux64.tar.gz. 

4. Extract the file and you'll get a folder named similarly eclipse-inst-jre-linux64/.

5. Within the folder, there is a eclipse-installer/ folder.

6. Within the folder, there is an executable eclipse-inst file. 

7. In this folder, run command line via Terminal:

$ ./eclipse-inst

8. Eclipse Installer window will open. 

 

9. Click INSTALL and follow the guidance so it will download necessary files and finished. For instance, in our system Eclipse will be installed in the directory /home/master/eclipse/ where 'master' is our username.

10. Eclipse installed. 

11. Run Eclipse from the applications menu.

Install Eclipse's GUI DesignerThe form designer on Eclipse is called WindowBuilder (WB) and it is a separate program should be installed manually using menubar Install New Software. For Eclipse 2022.09, we will use WindowBuider >=1.11.

1. Copy the link https://download.eclipse.org/windowbuilder/lastgoodbuild/.

2. Run Eclipse > click menu Help > Install New Software > Paste > click Add... 

3. Check all packages listed under the link. They are 'WindowBuilder' and 'WindowBuilder XWT Support'.

4. Click Next and let the installation finishes. 

5. Once installed, Eclipse will have WindowBuilder, so close the Install dialog.

Open Eclipse GUI Designer

1.  Run Eclipse. 

2. Go to menu File > New > Project > New Project dialog will open > select SWT/JFace Java Project option under SWT Designer under WindowBuilder category > click Next.

4. Write the name of the project MyJava.

5. Select JRE version JavaSE-1.8.

6. Click Finish.

 

7. A new project called MyJava will appear under Project Manager.

8. Right-click 'src' folder under MyJava > New > Other ... > Select a wizard dialog will open > select Application Window under SWT under SWT Designer under Window Builder category > click Next. 

9. Write a name for it MyWindow > click Finish.

10. A new class called MyWindow.java will appear as lines of codes under src in the project. Click Design tab to see the Window Builder. Click Source tab to see the source code again. See pictures below.

 (Source code view)

(Design view)

Now you can start rapid application development using WindowBuilder. Happy hacking!

References

WindowBuilder Home Page

Developing SWT Applications in Eclipse 

[FAQ] How To Use SWT in Eclipse

Window Builder Tutorial -- By Vogella

This article is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

This tutorial will show you how to create Pivot Table using LibreOffice Calc -- the complete, free spreadsheet program for everyone. We will learn with examples and pictures by using a simple sales table to create sales report with multiple pivot tables we want. Now let's exercise!

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What is pivot table?

Pivot table is basically moving a table into another table in different form with filters.

 

What we will create?

Our goal this time is to make summaries of a data table in Picture 1. It is an imaginary sales data with date, employee, product category, shop, and sales columns. Basically, we will turn the data from Picture 1 below into Picture 2. Finally, you might notice that the employee names involved here are the same as the previous at our Calc Tutorials. As an acknowledgement, this table is adapted from Ellak Course's Example File mentioned at references section (that one with Brigitte, Elen, Fritz and friends).

 Picture 1. Data source

 

 Picture 2. Pivot tables

How To Use the Filters

A pivot table is typically equipped with one filter or more depicted as a drop down button at each column head. See the difference below.

Picture 3. Pivot tables with no filter selected

 Picture 4. Pivot tables with filters selected (notice the color and signs)

To show pivot table like the above, you change the filters by selecting items you want to be displayed. Picture 5 shows the employee filter selections of the three sample tables shown above.

Picture 5. Filters

Tips: aside from filtering, filters are also equipped with sorting capabilities. For example, for the date-based pivot table, you can enable filter > Custom sort > select January, February, March ... > data sorted according to month order. You can also select order ascending or descending if you want. See picture 5. 

Step 1. Prepare Data Source

In order to make Pivot Table, you need a data source first. Write Table 1 with Calc and then save it as pivot-table-exercise.ods. This table is called data source.

 Table 1. Data Source

Step 2. Create a basic Pivot Table

1. Select a cell in the source table.  Do not select multiple cell as Calc is able to read your table thoroughly.

2. Go to Insert > Pivot Table > Pivot Table Layout dialog will open.

3. Drag and drop "employee" from right to left under Row fields. See picture 6.

4. Drag and drop "sales" from right to left under Data Fields. See picture 6.

5. Click OK. 

6. Pivot Table created in a new sheet called Pivot Something.

 Picture 6. Pivot Table dialog

 

Step 3. Pivot Table Created

Pivot table with one criteria will be created in a new sheet.

 Table 2. A basic pivot table

Explanation: this is the very basic of pivot table, it sums up between employees and their sales respectively and display them without duplicated data. For example, we can say that Cinta's sales is 3125, Shinta's 4749 while Silvie's 3836. This way, computer helps us to calculate them precisely and accordingly without us doing redundant job repeatedly. Using the same method, you can create four pivot tables based on our example:

Employee Sales Table

This table sums up employees and their respective sales. This helps us to examine that Abi is the lowest while Shinta and Widodo are the highest, in sales.

Table 3. Employee sales

Products Category Sales Table

This table sums up products (category) and their respective sales.  This helps us to see quickly that water is the highest while corn and salt are the lowest in sales.

Table 4. Product sales

Shop Sales Table

This table sums up shop branches and their respective sales. This helps us to quickly see that shop 1 is the lowest selling, shop 3 is the highest selling.

Table 5. Shop sales

Date Sales Table

This table sums up month (date) and their respective sales. This helps us to see quickly that January is the lowest month while April is the highest month in sales.

Table 6. Date sales

Pivot Table with Two Criteria or More

1. Repeat step 1 to 3 above with one more criteria into Row Fields.

2. Alternatively, you may instead put one criteria into Row Fields, and put another one into Column Fields.

3. A new pivot table created.

Table 7. Pivot table with two criteria

Table 8. Same pivot table but with Products Category as Column Fields

Explanation: pivot table above displays a summary of sales according to employees and category. From that, for example, we can say that Abi sells only salt, Budi sells only water, Cinta sells corn and sugar, while Silvie sells corn, sugar and water. We can also say, that Cinta's corn's 1174, Shinta's corn's 992 while Silvie's corn's 2149. Using the same method, you can create many combination of pivot tables as shown below:

Employee / Month Sales Table

This table sums up a comparison between employees and months (date) of sales.  This helps us to see in two ways, at the same time, total results of employee and month. For example, employee Silvie's total is 3836 while month April's total is 7089.

  Table 9. Sales by employee / month

Employee / Shop Sales Table

This table sums up a map between employees and shops in sales. This helps us observe two things at the same time, for example, total results of employee and shop. Further, let's say that employee Cinta's total is 3125 while branch Shop 2's total is 7958.

Table 10. Sales by employee / shop

Employee / Products TableThis table sums up a map of employees and their products (category) sales. This helps us to observe in two ways at the same time between employee and product total results. For example, we can say that employee Silvie's total is 3836 while product category Sugar's total is 6598.

Table 11. Sales by employee / product

Employee / Criteria Table, Inverted Position

You can also switch between row and column position of any field item. For example, this is the same table as Employee / Month above, but by putting Employee to Column Field and Date to Row Field in the Pivot Table dialog. As a result, here employees became columns and month became rows, especially now they can be filtered more easily. Compare the difference.

Table 12. Sales by date / employee

Create Multiple Pivot Table in one Sheet

1. Create a new sheet.

2. Repeat step 1-2 to create a pivot table. 

3. On the Pivot Table dialog, open the plus or triangle sign under Source and Destination.

4. Select "Selection" under Destination.

5. Click the button "Shrink" , now the dialog will shrink. 

6. With mouse cursor, select the new sheet > select an empty cell in an empty area > Shrink dialog will show the cell address for example $Sheet1.$G$1.

7.  Click the button "Shrink" once again, now the full dialog will show.

8. Click OK. 

9. Pivot table will be created in the selected sheet. 

10. Repeat step 1-9 by selecting same sheet as destination.

 

Picture 7. Pivot tables in one sheet

Explanation: this is useful to create report. You can, by this example, show as much helpful summaries as possible, from the simples one, like employee sales, to the complex ones, like employee / shop sales. As a result, you can further print out the sheet into papers, or simply export it as PDF, if you need to.

Afterwords

This should gives you a basic of basics of pivot table in LibreOffice Calc. Fortunately, not only that, you should have an understanding of the power and greatness of spreadsheet too. Pivot table helps you redisplay and sum up your data both ways intelligently and quickly. Next time, we will learn further about pivot table in a separate article. Happy learning and see you.

References 

Pivot Table Documentation -- by LibreOffice Official Book 

Pivot Table Example File (ODS) -- by LibreOffice Official Help

Pivot Table Help -- by LibreOffice Official Help

Pivot Table -- by Ellak LibreOffice Course from Greece 

This article is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

This tutorial will explain how you can install Netbeans, the one of the most popular free software Java IDEs, completely with GUI designer. The graphical user interface (GUI) designer, also called rapid application development (RAD) tool, is a visual way to create applications by drag and drop alongside with writing lines of code. Now let's do it.

 (Netbeans running on Ubuntu 20.04)

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About This Tutorial This tutorial, along with the previous Visual Basic Alternatives, is a part of our beginner's desktop programming series. We write this specifically because apparently after Bionic 18.04, thus since four years ago, Ubuntu and Debian no longer providing both tools in their repositories so the users need to install them manually. We hope this article helps you to start software development with graphical user interface. Please notice that Netbeans Project had been moved away from Oracle company to Apache Foundation so it has a new website address. 
Requirements

We will do this setup with the following requirements:

• Ubuntu 20.04 or later
  
• OpenJDK 11
• JRE 11
  
• Eclipse 2021-12
• Netbeans 12.6
• Eclipse's WindowBuilder 1.9.8

 

Pre-installation

Before installing Netbeans, we are required to have a Java Development Kit (JDK) installed first on our system. For that purpose, we install OpenJDK, the most popular jdk version and it is free software licensed:

$ sudo apt-get install default-jdk default-jre alacarte

Install Netbeans

1. Visit Download page at netbeans.apache.org. 

2. At the Download page, click latest Netbeans for GNU/Linux version e.g. netbeans-15-bin.zip at the moment.

3. Extract the zip file in your Downloads folder. 

4. You will have a new folder at the address /home/master/Downloads/netbeans.

 

5. Run Alacarte Menu Editor > create New Item under Programming category in the Menu Editor > fill the blanks as the following:

• Name: NetBeans
• Command: /home/master/Downloads/netbeans/bin/netbeans
• Comment: NetBeans IDE

  (Menu Editor while adding a new item Netbeans to start menu)

8. Change the logo with NetBeans logo available under /home/master/Downloads/netbeans/nb/netbeans.icns. The icns is a picture file format.

10. Save and close the Menu Editor.  

11. NetBeans installed.

 

Note: change the names 'master' in every address path above with your actual username.

Run Netbeans 

 

Open Activities Menu > find Netbeans > run Netbeans > Netbeans runs.

Run Netbeans GUI Designer

 

1. Run Netbeans.

2. Create a new project. 

3. Select Java with Ant under categories. Go next.

4. Select Java Application. Go next.

5. Name your project. Go next. 

6. A new project created with a class source code file JavaApplication.java.

7. Right-click javaapplication package under Source Packages under JavaApplication project. 

8. Select New > JFrame Form ... > Next > OK. 

9. A new GUI designer will open with a frame and multiple toolkit items (buttons, panels, menus etc.) you can drag and drop. 

10. Continue your development.

  (NetBeans with GUI builder opened)

 

Preview Design

At any time, you can quickly show the preview of your GUI design:

1. Open the GUI designer.

2. Click eye button ("Preview Design").

3. A GUI window will show according to your design.

Alternative Installation Method by Snapcraft

If you for some reason cannot install Netbeans with aforementioned method, you can install it with Snap method (built-in Ubuntu) below:

1. Run Terminal. 

2. Invoke command line below:

$ sudo snap install netbeans --classic

3. Enter your password. 

4. Run Netbeans by command line:

$ snap run netbeans

5. Go to GUI designer the same way as aforementioned methods.

Notes

I live at Jawa Timur, Indonesia. Jawa Timur (East Java) is the eastern province of Java Island, the real and origin of Java name. Of course, I write this while drinking a Javanese coffee. Thank you and happy hacking!

This article is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

This tutorial will help you in setting up F4 or Folio paper size in LibreOffice Writer in step by step with examples and pictures. This includes making templates so you can quickly make F4 documents without repeating paper size setup and further make PDF for easy printing. Now let's try it out.

Subscribe to UbuntuBuzz Telegram Channel to get article updates.Paper Size List

• A4 = 21.00 x 29.70 cm
• A5 = 14.80 x 21.00 cm
• F4 = 21.0 × 33.0 cm
• F4 (alternative) = 21.5 × 33.0 cm
• Letter = 27.94 x 21.59 cm
• Long Bond = 33.02 x 21.59 cm
  

Configuring Inch and Centimeter Units

If your default measurement unit in Writer is inch and you want to change it to cm, or vice versa, do the configuration as the following:

1. Open the menu Tools > Options.

2. Navigate to LibreOffice Writer section on left > General.

3. Change measurement unit from Inch to cm (or vice versa). 

4. OK. 

5. Unit changed into what you need.

Step 1. Change Paper Size

Go to Format > Page Style > under Paper format section, select "User" > change width x height into 21.00 cm x 33.00 cm > OK > document changed into F4. 

If you want to use alternative size (also called Folio in Indonesia and Long Bond in Phillipines), change the size into 21.5 cm x 33.0 cm.

Step 2. Save Document

Go to File > Save as > document saved in F4 paper size > document is ready to print.  

 (A Writer document with F4 paper size)

Step 3. Save as Template

File > Templates > Save as template ... > select "My Templates" > name it "F4" > save > OK.

Step 4. Close Writer

Close the program LibreOffice Writer (Ctrl+Q). 

Step 5. Create New F4 Document

Go to File > New > Templates > select "F4" > OK > a new F4 document is ready.

Alternatively, you can instead press Ctrl+Shift+N.

 

Step 6. Make F4 Default Size

This step is optional.

1. File > Templates > Save as template ... > give check mark 'Set as default template' > give it name "F4" > select 'My Templates' category > OK. This will replace the existing one if any.

2. Repeat step 5. 

3. Now every new Writer document will be in F4 paper size by default.

Step 7. Save as PDF and Print

Finally, you can save the F4 size document as PDF for easy printing:

1. Go to File > Export > Export as PDF > OK > PDF saved.

2. Open the PDF in your PDF reader. 

3. Print the document.

 

References

F4 Paper Size -- by Wikipedia

F4 Paper Size -- by Paper Size

Happy writing!

This article is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.