Linux Kernel 3.12 Released! Improved Support For Newer Nvidia and Radeon GPUs

Linux Kernel 3.12 in its stable release has been made available recently which comes with new features and optimizations. Here are some of them taken from Phoronix:

- Improved Dynamic Power Management support for newer Radeon GPUs and other changes after the Radeon DPM feature was merged in Linux 3.11 

- A Snapdragon KMS/DRM driver from the Freedreno project for the Qualcomm Adreno. 

- Runtime GPU power management for NVIDIA Optimus laptops to be able to dynamically power on/off secondary GPUs. 

- Experimental support for DRM render nodes. 

- AMD Berlin APU support for the first HSA server APU. 

- Intel Haswell graphics improvements with eLLC DRAM support now enabled for the systems with Iris Pro 5200 graphics bearing dedicated memory for graphics. 

- Staging driver updates. 

- Sound driver work. 

- EXT4 gained new features of aggressive extent caching and better recovery. 

- F2FS file-system improvements. 

- Lenovo Ideapad Slidebar support. 

- XFS file-system improvements. 

- Btrfs file-system performance improvements.

Tuesday, November 05, 2013 by UpUbuntu

How to Check 3D Acceleration (FPS) in Ubuntu/Linux Mint

In this guide, we will see some commands needed for checking  3D Acceleration / FPS for both Nvidia and AMD graphics cards under the following distributions:

• Ubuntu 13.10/13.04/12.10/12.04 or older
• Linux Mint 15/14/13 or older

If you have more commands and tools that are not listed here, please mention them below (comment form).

Getting Started

First of all, install this dependency via the terminal:

sudo apt-get install mesa-utils

Before running the commands below, make sure 3D acceleration is enabled or not by entering this command:

/usr/lib/nux/unity_support_test -p

1. Glxinfo

You can use glxinfo to check 3d acceleration and rendering. Here are some commands you need to run from the terminal:

glxinfo -i | grep render

or

 glxinfo -i | grep direct

or

glxinfo -i | grep openGL

The output returned will give you information about your graphics card (AMD or Nvidia).

2. Glxgears

You can also use glxgears to test 3D Acceleration (FPS). Simply run this command:

glxgears

or

glxgears -info

Friday, November 01, 2013 by UpUbuntu

How to Install ClassicMenu Indicator 0.08 from PPA in Ubuntu 13.10/13.04

ClassicMenu Indicator is a useful application indicator that once installed and executed will show a menu in the top panel of Ubuntu Unity that allows users to easily and quickly access system tools and software without the need to use the Dash menu.

Here is a screenshot of ClassicMenu Indicator under Ubuntu 13.10 (Saucy Salamander):

Monday, October 28, 2013 by UpUbuntu

Install MySQL Workbench 6.0.7 On Ubuntu/Linux Mint

MySQL Workbench has been updated to version 6.0.7. This software is a graphical tool that allows users to easily manage and work with MYSQL srvers and databases. In this tutorial, we will help you install it in the following operating systems:

• Ubuntu 13.10/13.04/12.10/12.04
• Linux Mint 15/14/13

For changes and bug fixes in MySQL Workbench 6.0.7, go here.

Monday, October 28, 2013 by UpUbuntu

Install the Nitrux OS (3.1.5) and Compass Icon Themes From PPA in Ubuntu/Linux Mint

A new version of Nitrux OS icon theme has been released for Ubuntu/Linux Mint users. In this tutorial we will see how to install it from PPA for the following distributions:

• Ubuntu 13/10/13.04/12.10/12.04
• Linux Mint 15/14/13

Changes in Nitrux OS (3.1.5):

Featured: NITRUX-mono-dark now supports dark themes completely!. 

Revised Icons: Kontact, PCManFM, Nautilus, Jdownloader, Kazam. 

Fixes: New Icons: Xdiagnose, KDE System Settings (Joystick, Trackpad, Mouse), Google Music Manager, Net Activity Viewer, pyRenamer, Searchmonkey, System Testing Qt, Unity Mail, Gnome Weather icons.

Wednesday, October 23, 2013 by UpUbuntu

Install/Upgrade to Linux Kernel 3.11.6 in Ubuntu/Linux Mint

Fixes in kernel 3.11.6:

•     drm/radeon: fix hw contexts for SUMO2 asics
•     drm/radeon: fix typo in CP DMA register headers
•     drm/i915: fix rps.vlv_work initialization
•     ALSA: hda - Fix mono speakers and headset mic on Dell Vostro 5470
•     MIPS: stack protector: Fix per-task canary switch
•     ARC: Fix signal frame management for SA_SIGINFO
•     ARC: Fix 32-bit wrap around in access_ok()
•     KVM: PPC: Book3S HV: Fix typo in saving DSCR

For full changelog, click here.

Monday, October 21, 2013 by UpUbuntu