Focal Testing of Kubuntu 20.04 LTS

[NoWorries]

When using the proposed repositories, I find it better to, not get my knickers in a twist, when I get abnormal updates. Thanks for the insight into the problem and the developers have certainly fixed the problem very quickly.

I have just had a few updates and initramfs-tools is now at version 0.133ubuntu14.

When I used the word ubuntu in the previous line, it reminded me that yesterday I checked the download iso file size for Focal and found that the ubuntu version is 200MB larger than the kubuntu file.

[kubicle]

And to help clarify, -proposed is the pre-release updates option in the Software Sources configuration tool

I'm starting to wonder if it is possibly a bit too easy to enable proposed in software sources (maybe there could be a clear warning dialog) and/or if the wording of "pre-release updates" is somehat confusing (I can easily see that people could thnk they need to enable that since they are running a "pre-release" version of kubuntu).

[rec9140]

Rrrort Rhaggyy?

Python2 is no longer available..

Care to elaborate on this? Please... As thats a problem.. if you are telling me the 3.x branch is now the only one... Houston we got a problem.

Before removing Discovery this would lead to a (probable) snap link but this time I'm sure I run a .deb version of Gwenview.

What URRGGHGH! Gwenview is something I rely on and based on other posts I plant to purge snapd as I don't want them... so as long as this can be neutered fine...

I've got a brand new laptop coming in the AM thats going to be my test for 20.04 before hitting the new build...first time in 10 years I will be that/this current.

[kubicle]

Care to elaborate on this? Please... As thats a problem.. if you are telling me the 3.x branch is now the only one... Houston we got a problem.

Python2 is dead (https://www.python.org/doc/sunset-python-2/). So the process of removing it is sort of a forced process that is going on in basically every distro (*buntu/debian/fedora/arch etc.). It is quite likely to cause some issues (it you still use software that is python2 only), but it has to be removed, especially since it's an LTS release (with years of support). Python2 will not receive even security updates, so it has to be phased out (and there has been plenty of time for projects to migrate to python3).

What URRGGHGH! Gwenview is something I rely on and based on other posts I plant to purge snapd as I don't want them... so as long as this can be neutered fine...

Gwenview is available as a regular deb in the focal repos, you are not forced to install a snap version if you do not want to.

[NoWorries]

All in now fixed and glmark2 works without error on both 19.10 and 20.04

For several weeks now I have not been able to run glmark2 without error. I do not consider this problem to be because I use the pre-released option. I believe this is a Focal problem as glmark2 runs without error on my I also have a Kubuntu 19.10 system in a separate partition on my Laptop and after updates this morning, it also gave the same glmark2 problem.

The error that I get is:

:~$ glmark2
** GLX does not support GLX_EXT_swap_control or GLX_MESA_swap_control!
** Failed to set swap interval. Results may be bounded above by refresh rate.
=======================================================
glmark2 2014.03+git20150611.fa71af2d
=======================================================
OpenGL Information
GL_VENDOR:     VMware, Inc.
GL_RENDERER:   llvmpipe (LLVM 9.0.1, 256 bits)
GL_VERSION:    3.1 Mesa 20.1.0-devel (git-2799676 2020-02-05 focal-oibaf-ppa)
=======================================================
** GLX does not support GLX_EXT_swap_control or GLX_MESA_swap_control!
** Failed to set swap interval. Results may be bounded above by refresh rate.
[build] use-vbo=false: FPS: 916 FrameTime: 1.092 ms
** GLX does not support GLX_EXT_swap_control or GLX_MESA_swap_control!
** Failed to set swap interval. Results may be bounded above by refresh rate.
[build] use-vbo=true: FPS: 927 FrameTime: 1.079 ms
=======================================================
                          glmark2 Score: 921 
=======================================================

This error has been reported several years ago and the solutions I found did not work.

So I hope the solution is simple and I look forward to having glmark2 working again to keep monitoring improvements provided by gpu updates from oibaf.

[rec9140]

Audio Notifications Slider - Can't unmute??

So after getting 20.04.02.04.20 and installed and then updated to anything that it offered...

So right now the only glitch I am finding is notification sounds... I can't unmute it!?

If I click the speaker it goes up and IMMEDIATELY GOES BACK to mute...

Slide it.. same thing.. slider drops back and mute icon...

Ummmm?

And where are the sounds for the notifications at now?? I've looked in the places I am familar with and not finding them...

I attached a grab of the menu I am talking about..

I get it its early daily... any hints

[rec9140]

Python2 is dead (https://www.python.org/doc/sunset-python-2/). So the process of removing it is sort of a forced process that is going on in basically every distro (*buntu/debian/fedora/arch etc.). It is quite likely to cause some issues (it you still use software that is python2 only), but it has to be removed, especially since it's an LTS release (with years of support). Python2 will not receive even security updates, so it has to be phased out (and there has been plenty of time for projects to migrate to python3).

Thanks for the reply... .. I will end here as I do not agree with that

Gwenview is available as a regular deb in the focal repos, you are not forced to install a snap version if you do not want to.

Well its in the install I just did, and not seeing any of that loop crap for snaps... I am making sure...

That will be on tomorrows agenda to lock out that stupid crap...

[kubicle]

If I click the speaker it goes up and IMMEDIATELY GOES BACK to mute...
Slide it.. same thing.. slider drops back and mute icon...

Probably this bug: https://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=407397
Older bug, seems it is still not fixed

As a workaround, you should be able to unmute using kmix (install package 'kmix'...or using pavucontrol). It shoud work after that (even if you uninstall kmix after).

And where are the sounds for the notifications at now

You mean the actual sound files, or the settings for changing the notification sounds for apps?

[NoWorries]

So after getting 20.04.02.04.20 and installed and then updated to anything that it offered...

So right now the only glitch I am finding is notification sounds... I can't unmute it!?

I get the same behaviour with my system which has KDE Plasma 5.17.90. In System Settings > Audio > Applications, I find that when I slide the notifications volume line, even to maximum volume, it immediately returns to 0%. I have not found a way to alter this response and I recognize that I am dealing with a beta version. (I have kmix and pavucontrol installed as well.)

Another "feature" that I have found in this area, is that when I use System Settings to select my default speaker, it is always changed back to headphones after reboot.

[chimak111]

...
Gwenview is available as a regular deb in the focal repos, you are not forced to install a snap version if you do not want to.

I've seen quite a few Ubuntu users install whatever is listed first in their software center thus ending up with a snap instead of a deb.

Discover, in Kubuntu 20.04, currently seems to default to the deb with a Sources button allowing the user to switch to a snap instead:

I don't know what Ubuntu's Software Center does in 20.04, but Kubuntu 20.04 should see fewer complaints of users installing snaps when they didn't mean to (chromium-browser excepted!).

[kubicle]

I get the same behaviour with my system which has KDE Plasma 5.17.90. In System Settings > Audio > Applications, I find that when I slide the notifications volume line, even to maximum volume, it immediately returns to 0%. I have not found a way to alter this response and I recognize that I am dealing with a beta version. (I have kmix and pavucontrol installed as well.)

And you have tried unmuting with kmix? Just tested it and it seems to work fine on my end (but I'm still not on 5.17.90, so it's possible the results are different)

[NoWorries]

And you have tried unmuting with kmix? Just tested it and it seems to work fine on my end (but I'm still not on 5.17.90, so it's possible the results are different)

Yes I did install kmix and I was puzzled that I did not see it on my desktop. I only found things different when I went to the speaker symbol on the panel and found a change in the controls which allowed me to unmute the event sounds.



So all is well now.

BTW, this morning I have been updated to 5.18.0 and the most significant change was the colour in the Login screen. All other features that I have encountered are the same, kazam doesn't record sound with an image, ie totally silent.

[rec9140]

Probably this bug: https://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=407397
Older bug, seems it is still not fixed

As a workaround, you should be able to unmute using kmix (install package 'kmix'...or using pavucontrol). It shoud work after that (even if you uninstall kmix after).

OK.. sudo apt... kmix

OK... now two speakers in the kicker.. and THAT WORKS to unmute them... Umm I guess there is some other Audio control thing in the kicker now Its been Kmix in the past until So whats the other speaker widget thing? Oh let me guess some crud from pusle(phewftt)audio...

Any way thats solved.. Thanks... Really would like to some traction that bug...

You mean the actual sound files, or the settings for changing the notification sounds for apps?

No the settings for what plays at say login, logoff, new mail etc... Its buried 20 layers deep now not in intuiative (to me) locations.. but I found it...

BUT still missing the spot where you can "test" audio devices and it play what I call the KDE sound to test that its working... from 18.04 see screen grab...

Another thing I noticed.. can't run systemsettings5 via XForwarded ssh session.. 18.04 just did it.. and got that screen grab.

Other programs from synaptic to kate to fireturdkeyox ran in a remote X SSH session fine... (thats one of my big things...I've just not went through to change all that, yet for XDMCP etc.. need to change to LightDM, lightdm-gtk-greeter, some setup to turn on... just not done it yet, YET. ) but XForwarded on SSH at least on systemsettings5 doesn't work.. it shows up on the LOCAL desktop.. no errors or anything in konsole, just popups on the local desktop.

[rec9140]

I've seen quite a few Ubuntu users install whatever is listed first in their software center thus ending up with a snap instead of a deb.

Discover, in Kubuntu 20.04, currently seems to default to the deb with a Sources button allowing the user to switch to a snap instead
I don't know what Ubuntu's Software Center does in 20.04, but Kubuntu 20.04 should see fewer complaints of users installing snaps when they didn't mean to (chromium-browser excepted!).

There are 2, ok 3 ways to install software

1) apt-get/dpgk -i via CLI for stuff I know the names or stuff I get from a DEB on a site ...

2) Synaptic - and then after I get a name I may opt to revert to sudo apt-get install just depends...

3) source - compile it, rarely

discover, muon etc. are never used... or anything like what ever those software center things are... those things need to go, go go away and take their snaps and flatpaks with them!

[kubicle]

Yes I did install kmix and I was puzzled that I did not see it on my desktop. I only found things different when I went to the speaker symbol on the panel and found a change in the controls which allowed me to unmute the event sounds.
BTW, this morning I have been updated to 5.18.0 and the most significant change was the colour in the Login screen. All other features that I have encountered are the same, kazam doesn't record sound with an image, ie totally silent.

OK.. sudo apt... kmix

OK... now two speakers in the kicker.. and THAT WORKS to unmute them... Umm I guess there is some other Audio control thing in the kicker now Its been Kmix in the past until So whats the other speaker widget thing? Oh let me guess some crud from pusle(phewftt)audio...

kmix has it's own icon in the notification area, the other is the newer "plasma-pa" volume widget. And if I wasn't clear in my previous post, you only need to unmute once with kmix, you don't need to start it automatically at startup or even have it installed after that (So you don't need to have to volume icons in the notification area...of course you can also disable the plasma volume widget if you prefer kmix). Once you've unmuted once with kmix, it will continue to work even if you don't have kmix running or uninstall it.

You can still mute/unmute and change the volume in the settings (even if you previously couldn't). Continues to work even after reboot.

Other programs from synaptic to kate to fireturdkeyox ran in a remote X SSH session fine... (thats one of my big things...I've just not went through to change all that, yet for XDMCP etc.. need to change to LightDM, lightdm-gtk-greeter, some setup to turn on... just not done it yet, YET. ) but XForwarded on SSH at least on systemsettings5 doesn't work.. it shows up on the LOCAL desktop.. no errors or anything in konsole, just popups on the local desktop.

That suggests systemsettings5 doesn't respect the DISPLAY env variable for some mysterious reason, when I have some free time I'll see if I'm getting the same. EDIT: Ah yes, have to wait for Plasma 5.18 and/or Neon 20.04 to test that, works fine on Neon 18.04/Plasma 5.17.5.

There are 2, ok 3 ways to install software
1) apt-get/dpgk -i via CLI for stuff I know the names or stuff I get from a DEB on a site ...
2) Synaptic - and then after I get a name I may opt to revert to sudo apt-get install just depends...
3) source - compile it, rarely
discover, muon etc. are never used... or anything like what ever those software center things are... those things need to go, go go away and take their snaps and flatpaks with them!

I am an "aptitude" guy (replaced synaptic for me a few years back), I don't use any GUI installers at all (or have any installed), just apt and aptitude (when I need to do more complex package management or browse packages). I also don't shy away from compiling stuff if I need to. But there are also valid use cases for contained package formats, they don't need to go away (except snaps, of course ), but should always be just options, not forced. I also think Discover is fine for new users, or users who don't like to work with cli (although I think everyone should ).