Karin Chan

Lightweight Ubuntu Software Center Alternative `AppGrid` Now Available For Ubuntu 12.04, 12.10 and 13.10

<div style="text-align: justify;"><b>AppGrid</b>, the lightweight (but proprietary) Ubuntu Software Center alternative which we covered <a href="http://www.webupd8.org/2013/08/app-grid-new-lightweight-ubuntu.html" title="App Grid: New Lightweight Ubuntu Software Center Alternative">recently</a>, was updated yesterday and it <b>should now work on Ubuntu 12.04, 12.10 and 13.10</b>. <b>Initially, the application was only available for Ubuntu 13.04</b>.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1113424/img/appgrid-0.1.58.png" imageanchor="1" rel="image_group" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="AppGrid" border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPTaDON0gBgeqobmmIR1XBNzgtGX_UfncStLcWkL3OYQr_LbKUvfc3hknpvYxxTyhFBjRSoaPFRDA5dvK2e7ebWjA7caWPMaRvDwT-EbiDyXqr7voOIOJbRXumnon9XLbnt0WGzrpY5Gw/s320/appgrid-0.1.58.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><a name='more'></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>The latest AppGrid also introduces some UI changes, such as:</b></div><ul><li style="text-align: justify;">increased spacing in the home screen;</li><li style="text-align: justify;">the icon overlays have been removed from the thumbnails. Now the ratings turn green if an application is installed;</li><li style="text-align: justify;">removed orange line from tile to make rating clearer;</li><li style="text-align: justify;">added hints to details view.</li></ul><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a el="image_group" href="http://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1113424/img/appgrid-0.1.58-app.png"><img alt="AppGrid" src="http://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1113424/img/appgrid-0.1.58-app_thumb.png" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Other changes include very basic RTL support, updated icons, the search box should now grab focus on startup and of course, many bug fixes.</div><br /><br /><br /><h2>Install AppGrid in Ubuntu</h2><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>To install AppGrid in Ubuntu, use the following commands:</b></div><pre class="linux-code"><code>sudo add-apt-repository ppa:appgrid/stable<br />sudo apt-get update<br />sudo apt-get install appgrid</code></pre><br />Currently, the application doesn't work on elementary OS or Linux Mint.<br /><br />Report any bugs you may find @ <a href="https://bugs.launchpad.net/appgrid">Launchpad</a>.

Lightweight Ubuntu Software Center Alternative `AppGrid` Now Available For Ubuntu 12.04, 12.10 and 13.10

AppGrid , the lightweight (but proprietary) Ubuntu Software Center alternative which we covered recently , was updated yesterday and it shou...

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App Grid: New Lightweight Ubuntu Software Center Alternative

<div style="text-align: justify;"><b>App Grid is a new lightweight Ubuntu Software Center alternative</b> that tries to make application discovery easier by using a grid view which includes app screenshots and ratings.</div><br /><a name='more'></a><div style="text-align: justify;">Even though this is the first public release, App Grid already comes with most features you'll need, like software search, app review and purchase and more. As for the design, the application reminds me of <a href="http://www.webupd8.org/2013/04/see-whats-new-in-kubuntu-1304-raring.html">Muon Discover</a>, a Muon Suit front-end that tries to make it easier to find new software, a goal shared with App Grid.</div><br />Below you can see some App Grid screenshots:<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1113424/img/appgrid.png" rel="image_group" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="AppGrid" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ylyml6T14_G4SscJEAgwpl0FJLjyy5qG-t_5KxqBOF4S8tiINRrYCMnT7FQIXxZdldkWL4fFQb-19Hl2OXcMrX_pgm-q-0HIEGOfnOeQWxey4387j5vJma08f20mb75Df6k7T4ma4AA/s320/appgrid.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">App Grid - main view</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1113424/img/appgrid-category.png" rel="image_group" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="AppGrid" src="http://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1113424/img/appgrid-category_thumb.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Games category</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">You've probably noticed that some applications have a green circle displayed around the application icon - that means they are already installed.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The application page displays an install / launch / remove button, screenshots, a short description along with user comments. Clicking on the comments extends the section and you can filter them by rating, language, Ubuntu version or write a review:</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1113424/img/appgrid-app.png" rel="image_group"><img alt="AppGrid" src="http://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1113424/img/appgrid-app_thumb.png" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1113424/img/appgrid-comments.png" rel="image_group"><img alt="AppGrid" src="http://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1113424/img/appgrid-comments_thumb.png" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>App Grid features:</b></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>discover new apps every time you open App Grid;</li><li>search, filter and sort to find exactly what you're looking for;</li><li>make informed decisions with our extensive detail views;</li><li>sign in with your Ubuntu One account to review and purchase apps.</li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b> <b>Below you'll find a technical comparison between App Grid and Software Center, done by the AppCenter developer </b>(the tests were performed on a Dell Mini 9):</div><ul><li style="text-align: justify;">python3 vs python2;</li><li style="text-align: justify;">warm start to home screen is 2.7s vs 20s;</li><li style="text-align: justify;">warm start to details screen (eg opening an apt: link) is 2.3s vs 30s;</li><li style="text-align: justify;">full database build is 58s vs 6min24;</li><li style="text-align: justify;">initial database size is 36.7mb vs 96.5mb;</li><li style="text-align: justify;">memory usage after startup to home screen is 20mb vs 53.6mb;</li><li style="text-align: justify;">lines of code is somewhere around 5900 loc vs 56960 loc (incl tests etc).</li></ul><br /><b>Note:</b> AppGrid is currently proprietary. Its Launchpad page says "Other/Proprietary, I don't know yet" so the developer may change his mind.<br /><br /><br /><h2>Install App Grid in Ubuntu</h2><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><s>App Grid is available in a PPA for Ubuntu 13.04 only for now</s>. Update: the application is now available for Ubuntu 12.04, 12.10, 13.04 and 13.10. Add the PPA and install App Grid using the following commands:</div><pre class="linux-code"><code>sudo add-apt-repository ppa:appgrid/stable<br />sudo apt-get update<br />sudo apt-get install appgrid</code></pre><br /><b>Report any bugs you may find @ <a href="https://bugs.launchpad.net/appgrid">Launchpad</a>.</b><br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><i>via <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/Ubuntu/comments/1l52za/initial_release_of_app_grid_software_center/">Reddit</a> / <a href="http://ubuntu-discourse.org/t/initial-release-of-app-grid/960">ubuntu-discourse</a></i></div>

App Grid: New Lightweight Ubuntu Software Center Alternative

App Grid is a new lightweight Ubuntu Software Center alternative that tries to make application discovery easier by using a grid view which...

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Steam For Linux Celebration Sale: Save 50%-80% On All Linux Games

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2rRsEnRy9n8/UR00bKacsTI/AAAAAAAANtU/nsi3u2KpUjE/s1600/steam-for-linux-sale.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Steam for Linux Celebration Sale" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2rRsEnRy9n8/UR00bKacsTI/AAAAAAAANtU/nsi3u2KpUjE/s500/steam-for-linux-sale.png" title="Steam for Linux Celebration Sale" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Valve has launched `Steam for Linux Celebration Sale` and all the games available for Linux are now on sale</b>. During this campaign, the discount ranges between -50% and -80%.</div><br /><a name='more'></a><div style="text-align: justify;">This means that you can get Serious Sam 3 with a -80% discount (5,59 €), Counter Strike: Source with -75% (3,74 €), Half Life with -75% (1,99 €), Trine 2 with -75% (2,79 €), Crusader Kings II with a -75% discount (9.99 €) and so on.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Furthermore, if you've installed Team Fortress 2 (free to play) on Linux, you'll get a free Tux in-game item.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The sale will end on February 21, 10 AM PST.</div><br /><b>You'll find a complete list of games available in this Steam for Linux sale @ <a aiotitle="http://store.steampowered.com/sale/linux_release/" href="http://store.steampowered.com/sale/linux_release/">http://store.steampowered.com/sale/linux_release/</a></b><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The reason for the sale is that Steam for Linux is now <a href="https://apps.ubuntu.com/cat/applications/steam/">available</a> in Ubuntu Software Center, for Ubuntu 12.10 and 12.04:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zGEqHIA8XWI/UR09b7_HpvI/AAAAAAAANtc/tn2VPZy86NU/s1600/steam-usc.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="steam ubuntu software center" border="0" height="238" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zGEqHIA8XWI/UR09b7_HpvI/AAAAAAAANtc/tn2VPZy86NU/s320/steam-usc.png" title="steam ubuntu software center" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">This also means that Steam for Linux is no longer considered beta software.</div>

Steam For Linux Celebration Sale: Save 50%-80% On All Linux Games

Valve has launched `Steam for Linux Celebration Sale` and all the games available for Linux are now on sale . During this campaign, the disc...

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Ubuntu GNOME Remix 13.04 Replaces GNOME Packagekit With Ubuntu Software Center

<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.webupd8.org/2012/10/prefer-gnome-shell-download-ubuntu.html">Ubuntu GNOME Remix 12.10</a> uses GNOME Packagekit ("Software") as the default package management application, but this will change in Raring Ringtail.</div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>A recent <a href="https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/raring/+source/ubuntu-gnome-meta/0.5">update</a> in Ubuntu GNOME 13.04 Raring Ringtail (currently under development) has removed GNOME Packagekit from the default applications, replacing it with Ubuntu Software Center and Ubuntu's Update Manager.</b></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://netupd8.com/w8img2/gs-usc.png"><img alt="Ubuntu GNOME Remix Software Center" src="http://netupd8.com/w8img2/gs-usc_thumb.png" /></a></div><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">According to a <a href="https://lists.launchpad.net/ubuntu-gnome/msg00145.html">post</a> on a mailing list by Jeremy Bicha, the main Ubuntu GNOME developer, GNOME Packagekit is currently "<i>pretty disappointing</i>", while Ubuntu Software Center is "<i>one of Ubuntu's best features with ratings and reviews, screenshots, app icons, access to commercial software, and decent search</i>", so even though this change will slightly affect the pure GNOME3 desktop experience that Ubuntu GNOME Remix is trying to achieve, it will definitely provide a better overall default experience.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Further more, this won't be the first GNOME distribution that ships with its own software management application: Mageia and openSUSE do this too.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Also, as you probably know, Ubuntu GNOME Remix 12.10 includes the classic session by default (along with GNOME Shell, which is the default session, obviously). Well, the same 13.04 update brought another pretty major change: even though Ubuntu 13.04 is likely to <a href="http://www.webupd8.org/2012/11/ubuntu-1304-only-some-gnome-components.html">ship with GNOME 3.6 for the most part</a>, and not 3.8 (which will remove the fallback session), <b>the classic (fallback) session packages were removed from the default Ubuntu GNOME Remix 13.04 Raring Ringtail installation</b>.</div>

Ubuntu GNOME Remix 13.04 Replaces GNOME Packagekit With Ubuntu Software Center

Ubuntu GNOME Remix 12.10 uses GNOME Packagekit ("Software") as the default package management application, but this will change i...

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