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X-Apps: The Ultimate Guide to GTK3 DE-Agnostic Applications



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



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:


How to install x apps in Ubuntu 20.04 via PPA


X apps development software for agile projects


Cinnamon desktop environment with x apps based on GNOME core applications


X apps for Linux Mint: Pix, Xed, Xplayer, Xreader, Xviewer


X apps vs GNOME apps: which ones are better for your desktop?


How to customize x apps with themes and plugins


X apps alternatives for Windows and Mac users


Best x apps for photo editing, document viewing, and media playing


How to uninstall x apps from your system


X apps reviews and ratings from users and experts


How to update x apps to the latest version


X apps features and benefits for different use cases


How to troubleshoot x apps issues and errors


X apps tutorials and guides for beginners and advanced users


How to contribute to x apps development and community


X apps security and privacy: how to protect your data and identity


How to integrate x apps with other software and services


X apps keyboard shortcuts and tips for productivity


How to migrate from GNOME apps to x apps or vice versa


X apps FAQs: frequently asked questions and answers


How to use x apps on mobile devices and tablets


X apps comparison: how do they stack up against other desktop applications


How to optimize x apps performance and speed


X apps roadmap: what's new and what's coming next


How to get support for x apps from developers and users


How to install x apps on other Linux distributions and platforms


X apps case studies: how x apps helped solve real-world problems


How to translate x apps into different languages


X apps pros and cons: the good, the bad, and the ugly


How to backup and restore x apps settings and data


How to run x apps on a virtual machine or a live USB


X apps best practices: how to use x apps effectively and efficiently


How to make money with x apps: monetization strategies and opportunities


How to test x apps for bugs and glitches


X apps history and evolution: how x apps came to be and how they changed over time


How to collaborate with others using x apps


X apps extensions and add-ons: how to enhance x apps functionality and usability


How to create your own x app using the x app framework


X apps challenges and limitations: what x apps can and cannot do


How to report feedback and suggestions for x apps improvement


How to join the x app beta program and get early access to new features


X app awards and recognition: how x app won accolades and praise from the industry and the media


How to learn more about x app development and technology


X app hacks and tricks: how to do more with less using x app


How to switch between different x app versions and modes


X app statistics and facts: how popular and successful is x app


How to donate to x app development and support


X app controversies and scandals: how x app faced criticism and backlash


How to share your experience and opinion about x app with others


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. 44f88ac181


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