Re: X Apps

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Christian Erdmann

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Jul 13, 2024, 9:48:29 AM7/13/24

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What are X-Apps and why you should use them

If you are looking for some simple and useful applications that can work well on any GTK-based desktop environment, you might want to try X-Apps. In this article, we will explain what X-Apps are, what are their benefits, how to install them on Ubuntu 20.04, and how to use them.

x apps

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Introduction

X-Apps are a bunch of GTK3 DE-agnostic applications that are not so tightly tied to a particular distribution or DE as their ancestors might be. The project was started in 2016 by Linux Mint, with the idea of replacing applications that no longer integrate properly outside of a particular environment (such as some GNOME applications) and providing a consistent set of core applications for different desktop environments, so that each change, each new feature, and each improvement made in one of them will benefit all of them.

What are X-Apps?

X-Apps are based on existing applications that have been forked and modified to suit the needs of various desktop environments. They include:

Pix - image management application based on gThumb

Xed - text editor based on Pluma

Xplayer - media player based on Totem

Xviewer - image viewer based on Eye of GNOME

Xreader - document reader based on Atril

What are the benefits of X-Apps?

Some of the advantages of using X-Apps are:

They are simple and easy to use, without unnecessary features or complexity

They are compatible with any GTK-based desktop environment, such as Cinnamon, MATE, XFCE, GNOME, etc.

They have a consistent look and feel across different environments, thanks to the use of GTK3 and common themes and icons

They are actively maintained and updated by the Linux Mint team and the community

They have some unique features that make them stand out from their original counterparts, such as custom plugins, settings, and preferences

How to install X-Apps on Ubuntu 20.04

If you want to try X-Apps on your Ubuntu 20.04 system, you can follow these steps:

Add the PPA repository

Open a terminal window and run the following command to add the PPA repository that contains the X-Apps packages:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:savoury1/xapps

Type your user password when prompted and press Enter to continue.

Update the package cache

Next, run the following command to update the package cache and make sure you have the latest versions of the packages available:

sudo apt update

Install the X-Apps packages

Now, you can install either or all of the X-Apps packages by running this command:

sudo apt install pix xed xplayer xviewer xreader

You can remove any package from the command if you don't want to install it. For example, if you only want to install Pix and Xed, you can run:

sudo apt install pix xed

Uninstall X-Apps if needed

If you want to remove X-Apps from your system, you can do so by running this command:

sudo apt remove --autoremove pix xed xplayer xviewer xreader

This will also remove any dependencies that are no longer needed.

How to use X-Apps on Ubuntu 20.04

Once you have installed the X-Apps packages, you can find them in your application menu and launch them as any other application. Here are some brief introductions to each of the X-Apps and their features:

Pix - image management application

Pix is a powerful and versatile image management application that can help you organize, edit, and share your photos. You can use Pix to:

Browse your photos by folders, tags, or dates

View your photos in full-screen or slideshow mode

Edit your photos with basic or advanced tools, such as crop, rotate, resize, color adjustment, filters, red-eye removal, etc.

Create and manage albums and collections

Import photos from cameras or scanners

Export photos to various formats or online services, such as Flickr, Picasa, Facebook, etc.

Batch rename, convert, or resize multiple photos at once

Add comments, ratings, or metadata to your photos

Search for photos by name, tag, date, or other criteria

Install plugins to extend the functionality of Pix

Xed - text editor

Xed is a simple and lightweight text editor that can handle plain text or code files. You can use Xed to:

Create and edit text or code files in various languages

Use syntax highlighting, auto-indentation, code folding, bracket matching, etc.

Search and replace text with regular expressions support

Use multiple tabs to work on different files

Use the sidebar to browse files or bookmarks

Use the bottom panel to access the terminal, the file browser, or the plugin manager

Customize the appearance and behavior of Xed with preferences and plugins

Xplayer - media player

Xplayer is a simple and user-friendly media player that can play audio and video files of various formats. You can use Xplayer to:

Play local or remote files or streams

Use playlists to manage your media files

Adjust the volume, brightness, contrast, saturation, etc.

Use subtitles and audio tracks for your media files

Use keyboard shortcuts or mouse gestures to control the playback

Use plugins to enhance the functionality of Xplayer

Xviewer - image viewer

Xviewer is a fast and simple image viewer that can display images of various formats. You can use Xviewer to:

Open and view images in a window or full-screen mode

Zoom in or out, rotate, flip, or crop images

Use the toolbar, the menu, or the status bar to access different options

Use the sidebar to browse images in the same folder or in a collection

Use the thumbnail bar to navigate between images

Set an image as your desktop background or print it

Slideshow your images with different effects and transitions

Install plugins to extend the functionality of Xviewer

Xreader - document reader

Xreader is a versatile and feature-rich document reader that can handle PDF, DjVu, TIFF, DVI, XPS, ODF, CBZ, and EPUB files. You can use Xreader to:

Open and view documents in a window or full-screen mode

Zoom in or out, rotate, or fit documents to the window or the width

Use the toolbar, the menu, or the status bar to access different options

Use the sidebar to browse the document outline, thumbnails, annotations, or attachments

Use the bottom bar to navigate between pages or adjust the zoom level

Search for text within the document or copy it to the clipboard

Annotate, highlight, or comment on the document

Fill in forms or sign documents digitally

Export documents to various formats or print them

Install plugins to enhance the functionality of Xreader

Conclusion

X-Apps are a great choice for anyone who wants to use simple and consistent applications that work well on any GTK-based desktop environment. They offer a good balance between functionality and usability, without being too bloated or too minimalistic. They are also easy to install and update on Ubuntu 20.04, thanks to the PPA repository provided by the Linux Mint team. If you are looking for some alternatives to your default applications, you might want to give X-Apps a try and see how they fit your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are X-Apps only available for Linux Mint?

No, X-Apps are not exclusive to Linux Mint. They are designed to be compatible with any GTK-based desktop environment, such as Cinnamon, MATE, XFCE, GNOME, etc. You can install them on any Linux distribution that supports PPA repositories, such as Ubuntu.

Can I use X-Apps alongside other applications?

Yes, you can use X-Apps alongside other applications without any conflict. For example, you can use Pix as your image management application and GIMP as your image editing application. You can also choose which application you want to use as your default for each file type.

How can I customize X-Apps?

You can customize X-Apps by using their preferences and settings menus. You can also install plugins to add more features or functionality to X-Apps. You can find plugins for X-Apps on GitHub or on Linux Mint's website.

How can I contribute to X-Apps?

You can contribute to X-Apps by reporting bugs, suggesting features, translating strings, writing documentation, or submitting code patches. You can find more information on how to contribute on Linux Mint's website or on GitHub.

Where can I find more information about X-Apps?

You can find more information about X-Apps on Linux Mint's blog, where they announce new releases and updates. You can also visit their GitHub page, where they host their source code and issues tracker.