Make Your Life Easier With Ubuntu - Must Read For Developers!

 

Hi guys! After a long time...Today I came with a different article. It's all about Ubuntu!!! Recently Ubuntu 20.04 also has been released. To me, this is the most charming and perfect OS version of Ubuntu. I think Linux is the best choice for developers. But still, some developers are not utilizing the resources available for Linux to make their coding lives much easier. So many times, I have seen this! That's why I thought of showing some tips to use when we work with Linux. Let's Start!!!

So, I will not focus on the common apps or any tips because they may have already on your Linux machine.

Common Software I use:

• Code Editor for Java: Intellij IDEA
• Code Editor for JS: Webstorm and VS Code
• APK Launcher: Android Studio
• API Testing: Postman
• Note Editor: Sublime Text and Gedit
• Video Player: VLC
• Audio Player: Audacious
• Office Package: Libre Office and WPS Office
• Web Browser: Google Chrome
• Basic Image Cropper: gThumb
• Mail Client: MailSpring
• Torrent Client: qBitTorrent
• WhatsApp Client: WhatsDesk
• Note Saver: Simplenote

This article will contain some special apps that you may not aware of!

Apps/Software

1. Plank Dock

This is my most favorite dock! So you have to just install following the traditional installation method on Linux.

sudo apt-get install plank

Launch Plank dock

You can launch Plank from the Ubuntu Application Launcher bar as follows, or directly access it from the applications listing:

Click on plank. By default, it will appear on the bottom of your screen.

This is how Dock looks like....

Pin apps to Plank dock

When an app is opened, its ICON will be displayed on the dock. Then just RIGHT CLICK on the icon. You will show an option as - Keep in Dock. Tick this option. From there onwards, that app will be shown on the dock forever - until you remove it.

Customize Plank dock

Move the mouse onto the dock and press CTRL + RIGHT CLICK. You will get some options on a pop-up. Select  Preferences. 

2. Flameshot

Flameshot is the best screenshot app I have found on the planet guys! It's simply awesome!!!!

sudo apt-get install flameshot

Let me show you a screenshot of its tool window.

You can 

• resize
• reposition 
• edit(draw/highlight)
• save
• copy 
• add text
• pin 

your screenshot - lots of options are available. Isn't it?

With flameshot, you don't want to take the screenshot at once! 

You can just mark and reposition and resize later. That is a life-saving feature for me!

3. ZSH Terminal

Hey Developers! This is specially for you..

As developers, all of us have to use GIT - Version Control Systems to push our codes to remote repositories. There we make feature branches for individual developments. So, when we checkout to a branch, how do we get to know whether we are in the correct branch or not? You will use git branch command on the terminal - Am I correct?

Isn't it annoying? 

So, what about seeing the branch on the terminal itself after the folder path??? There you find the ZSH terminal as your best configuration.  

Go and visit here => https://ohmyz.sh/

This is how my terminal looks like...

When we do any change on the files, this green color turns into yellow indicating that there are changes that are not yet committed.

So, guys follow and install this! I'm pretty sure this will make your GIT life marvelous. 

NOTE:

You will get a .zshrc file in the HOME like default .bashrc - after the installation.

You can switch between BASH and ZSH with exec command.

exec bash - Move to bash terminal

exec zsh - Move to zsh terminal

Installation and Documentation: https://github.com/ohmyzsh/ohmyzsh

4. MailSpring

Do you want to manage your emails in one place, without the web browser? This is the software you must use then...

Go and install using snap store.

https://snapcraft.io/mailspring

Command you will use for installation:

sudo snap install mailspring

5. U Launcher

Go and visit here to get to know what it does =>  https://ulauncher.io/

This a simple launcher that allows you to search for anything on the system. After installation, you just need to find the app in Ubuntu Application Launcher bar as follows.

Just click on the icon and then it will appear on the Topbar of Ubuntu UI.

By default, it will work by pressing CTRL + SPACE buttons. But you can set any key for this from settings (you can see settings as a gear wheel in the below screenshot).

6. Tweak Tool

Do you want to customize your OS by changing its appearance? Install a theme? This is the tool that allows you to do so!

sudo apt-get gnome-tweaks

After this is installed, you will get a UI like this. 

There you can install themes and customize your view. But how to install themes? You want to get to know? If so, please follow the below link guys! You can find tons of themes for ICONS and GTK both.

https://www.gnome-look.org/

The simple way to install a theme:

• Just download and extract the zip file
• If it's a GTK theme, move the folder into HOME/.themes folder. If you can not find a folder called .themes - make a new directory. Since it's a hidden folder, you have to press CTRL+H to see it.
• For the ICON themes - do the same BUT folder name is: .icons
• Then in the above UI which I have shown above, you will have the installed theme name now, in the dropdown list reserved for "Icons" and "Applications"

Shell Extensions

Gnome Shell Extensions also make our work easier. These apps are shown on the Top Bar in Ubuntu, after installation!

Go and visit this website => https://extensions.gnome.org/

Before that make sure your OS is ready to install these extensions..For that You have to install Chrome Gnome Sheell first!

sudo apt-get install chrome-gnome-shell

NOTE:

When you follow the article and install any of the below extensions, click on the toggle button to on/off the feature. Then it will ask to confirm the installation showing a pop-up. Click on YES!!!

1. Clip Board Indicator

This is another life-saving extension! Imagine you want to copy and save some items always since you meed them time to time - frequently. 

Using this extension, you can manage a set of copied items as a clipboard and select whatever you want

Link:

https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/779/clipboard-indicator/

2. Screen Recorder

This is another great and the simplest screen recorder I have found. After installation, this will come on to the top bar like other extensions. 

So, you just need to click on it and start recording. 

Link:

https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/690/easyscreencast/

3. Show Your Desktop

Imagine that you have opened a lot of windows. If you want to jump to desktop at once, what will you do? Minimize all and let the system show desktop?? it's not a good way to do it!

There you have this extension! With one click, it will show your desktop at once.

Link:

https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/1194/show-desktop-button/

4. Show Net Speed

This extension allows you to display Upload and Download net speed on the Topbar on Ubuntu. 

Link

https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/1085/simple-net-speed/

5. Application Menu

By enabling this one, you get the applications menu on the Top Left Corner on the UI(on Topbar)

Link:

https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/6/applications-menu/

6. Add Username to Top Panel

If you want to display your name on the Top Right Corner of the UI, you can use this one.

Link:

https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/1108/add-username-to-top-panel/

This is the end of my recommendations guys! So, finally I would like to show you my Desktop - just to show how it looks like!

I hope you will also follow me and make your Ubuntu Life a little bit easier!!!

Bye guys and girls!

If you want to know something, drop a comment :D