UbuTricks

UbuTricks is a freely distributed script written in Bash and designed from the ground up to help you install the latest version of the most acclaimed games and graphical applications on your Ubuntu Linux operating system, as well as on various other Ubuntu derivatives.

Which apps can I install with UbuTricks?

Currently, the latest versions of the Calibre, Fotoxx, Geary, GIMP, Google Earth, HexChat, jAlbum, Kdenlive, LibreOffice, PCManFM, Qmmp, QuiteRSS, QupZilla, Shutter, SMPlayer, Ubuntu Tweak, XBMC (Kodi), PlayOnLinux, Red Notebook, NeonView, Sunflower, Pale Moon, QupZilla Next, FrostWire and RSSOwl applications can be installed with UbuTricks.

In addition, you can also install CherryTree, Audio Recorder, PeaZip, FLARE, Wine, Midori, Double Commander, VLC Media Player, FlightGear, Cantata, DigiKam, Kchmviewer and Emacs.

What games can I install with UbuTricks?

In addition, the latest versions of the 0 A.D., Battle for Wesnoth, Transmageddon, Unvanquished and VCMI (Heroes III Engine) games can be installed with the UbuTricks program. Users can also install the latest version of the Cinnamon and LXQt desktop environments.

Getting started with UbuTricks

The program is distributed as a .sh file (shell script) that can be run from the command-line using the “sh ubutricks.sh” command (without quotes) or make it executable and double-click it from your Home folder or desktop. All you have to do is to select and app or game and click the OK button to install it.

How does it work?

When accessed for the first time, the program will display a welcome screen from the get-to, notifying users about how it actually works. There are three methods to install an app or game, via PPA, DEB file or source tarball. Please note that apps and games will be automatically downloaded and installed.

What distributions are supported?

Several versions of the Ubuntu Linux operating systems are supported, but if not specified, it will default to the current stable version, Ubuntu 14.04 LTS (Trusty Tahr). At the moment, the program will not work if you don’t have the gksu package installed on your Ubuntu box. It is based on Zenity, which should be installed too.

What is new in this release:

• added apps: Exaile, Yarock, GNOME Commander (Trusty), SimpleAudioPlayer, Kid3
• added apps: Fotoxx (DEB)
• 20 updated apps
• fixed the Calibre installer
• better error handling
• added command-line --help and --version arguments

What is new in version 14.11.03:

• Five more apps have been added in this small update, including the Cinnamon 2.4 PPA (while the old one for 2.2 has been kept as well). The total number of supported applications is now 55.
• Other added apps include FFmpeg and QuiEdit, a fullscreen text editor, and two games OpenMW and Dust Racing 2D. The data for OpenMW has to be installed manually for now.

What is new in version 14.10.22:

• The number of applications has been increased to 50, with 13 more supported programs (11 apps and 2 games), including: CherryTree, Wine (PPA), DigiKam, Emacs, PeaZip and FLARE.
• This release also marks the introduction of Ubuntu 14.10 support (although some PPAs may not work yet). Several bug fixes and installer improvements went into this release as well.
• The new supported applications in this release are:
• Audio Recorder
• CherryTree
• Double Commander
• Wine (PPA)
• Cantata
• Midori
• DigiKam
• Kchmviewer
• PeaZip
• VLC
• Emacs
• FLARE
• FlightGear
• Some apps have updated versions in the list, and there are some minor bug fixes as well.

What is new in version 0.2.3a:

• added three new apps: QupZilla, Shutter, Calibre

What is new in version 0.2.3:

• added four new apps: Cinnamon, Fotoxx, PCManFM, Wine
• improved source compiling for make-based sources

What is new in version 0.2.2:

• fixed correctly detecting errors and interrupting installation
• no root privileges needed anymore (may not work correctly on Mint due to a bug in gksudo)
• now checks to see if gksudo exists and warns the user
• added two new apps: LibreOffice and Kdenlive