How to install and use system76-power tool on Linux Mint laptops with Nvidia GPU

# requirements
install nvidia driver (recommended) from driver manager
reboot the machine

# install rust

curl --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 -sSf https://sh.rustup.rs | sh

# compile and update rust

cargo build --release

# clone repo

git clone https://github.com/pop-os/system76-power

# change directory

cd system76-power

# initialize rust env

source $HOME/.cargo/env

# build

sudo make install

# enable service

sudo systemctl enable --now system76-power.service

# set graphics mode

system76-power graphics integrated
system76-power graphics nvidia

# reboot machine

sudo systemctl reboot

# set power profile
system76-power profile battery
system76-power profile balanced
system76-power profile performance

Linux Mint Cinnamon Lock screen Sleep Fix

On some systems, Linux Mint fails to turn off the screen after the lock screen is activated.

System Settings > Keyboard > Shortcuts > Custom Shortcuts > Add a Custom Shortcut

Name : Lock and turn off the screen
Command : bash -c "cinnamon-screensaver-command -l && sleep 10 && xset dpms force off"

Use your preferred keybinding for the shortcut

Now when you lock the screen, the screen will be automatically turned off after 10 seconds.

Full Circle Magazine and Distrohoppers Digest

Full Circle Magazine #166: https://fullcirclemagazine.org/2021/02/26/full-circle-magazine-166/

https://distrohoppersdigest.blogspot.com/2021/02/distrohoppers-digest-episode-020.html

mintCast 356.5 - Itty Bitty Living Space
https://mintcast.org/2021/03/17/mintcast-356-5-itty-bitty-living-space-mp3/

[GUIDE]
Install Virtual Machine Manager / GNOME Boxes on Ubuntu / Linux Mint

Virt-Manager / GNOME Boxes are native alternatives to third-party virtualization tool like VirtualBox, VMware and offers better compatibility and superior performance.

update repos

sudo apt update

install virtualization apps

sudo apt install virt-manager gnome-boxes

install extras

sudo apt install qemu-kvm libvirt-clients bridge-utils

enable service

sudo systemctl enable --now libvirtd

add user to groups

sudo usermod -a -G libvirt,libvirt-qemu,libvirt-dnsmasq $USER

reboot the system

reboot

backup config

sudo cp -iv /etc/libvirt/qemu.conf /etc/libvirt/qemu.conf.bak

add settings to config (optional)

sudo bash -c "echo 'user = "$USER"' >> /etc/libvirt/qemu.conf"
sudo bash -c "echo 'group = "$USER"' >> /etc/libvirt/qemu.conf"

restart service

sudo systemctl restart libvirtd.service

start "Virtual Machine Manager" / "GNOME Boxes" from application menu to create virtual machines.



GNOME Boxes = very minimal and newbie friendly
Virt Manager = advanced version of GNOME Boxes with more control

Both of the apps make use of KVM/QEMU for running virtual machines.

mintCast 357 - Surfboard Building Lunch
https://mintcast.org/2021/03/24/mintcast-357-surfboard-building-lunch-mp3/

Full Circle Magazine #167 : https://fullcirclemagazine.org/2021/03/26/full-circle-magazine-167/

#News
Mint Monthly News – March 2021
https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=4049

Summary

UsrMerge

Last month we announced problems were found in relation to UsrMerge. In particular, packages built in merged systems were not always fully compatible with non-merged systems. A complete scan was done in Linux Mint to identify any other similar issue and a tool was developed to automate this process. In addition, a system report will be backported to recommend a merge to Mint 20 and 20.1 users whose system is not merged yet.

Updates notifications

Statistics recently showed us that many users did not update their computer. The way other operating systems handle updates is either by forcing their users to do so, or by frustrating them and annoying them until they do.

So with all that said here’s what we did. We designed a notification system which acts as a gentle and welcome reminder and took great care not to turn it into an annoyance.

Full Circle Weekly News #204

https://fullcirclemagazine.org/podcast/full-circle-weekly-news-204/

Modern Text Rendering with Linux

Overview : https://mrandri19.github.io/2019/07/24/modern-text-rendering-linux-overview.html
Part 1 : https://mrandri19.github.io/2019/07/18/modern-text-rendering-linux-ep1.html
Part 2 : https://mrandri19.github.io/2019/08/08/modern-text-rendering-linux-ep2.html

[NEW UPDATED METHOD]

For users with laptops on Intel GPU + Nvidia GPU only

Using system76-power pinned package from system76 (PopOS) PPA on Linux Mint / Ubuntu based distros, which supports automatic upgrades.

Pinning a package from a repository or a PPA ensures that only a specific package can be installed from multiple packages inside a repository/PPA without breaking the system.

# Add system76-dev-stable PPA
sudo apt-add-repository ppa:system76-dev/stable

# Navigate apt preferences
cd /etc/apt/preferences.d

# Open text editor with root access
Mint : sudo xed system76.pref


Ubuntu : sudo gedit system76.pref

# Add these lines to system76.pref and save the file

Package: *
Pin: release o=LP-PPA-system76-dev-stable
Pin-Priority: -10

Package: system76-power
Pin: release o=LP-PPA-system76-dev-stable
Pin-Priority: 700

# Update the repositories and PPA sources`
sudo apt update

# Install system76-power package
sudo apt install system76-power

# Switch graphics mode
sudo system76-power graphics integrated
sudo system76-power graphics hybrid
sudo system76-power graphics nvidia

# Switch power plans
sudo system76-power profile battery
sudo system76-power profile balanced
sudo system76-power profile performance

mintCast 358.5 - Three Finger Swipes
https://mintcast.org/2021/04/14/mintcast-358-5-three-finger-swipes-mp3/

Create Windows 10 Bootable USB on Ubuntu / Linux Mint

sudo apt install git p7zip-full python3-pip python3-wxgtk4.0 grub2-common

sudo pip3 install WoeUSB-ng



Open WoeUSB-NG from app menu, enter password, follow remaining steps in the app.

mintCast 359 - COSMIC Proportions
https://mintcast.org/2021/04/21/mintcast-359-cosmic-proportions-mp3/