2

What I did to try to install screenlets:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:screenlets/ppa
sudo apt update
sudo apt install screenlets screenlets-pack-all

The Output:

Reading package lists... Done  
Building dependency tree      
Reading state information... Done
E: Unable to locate package screenlets
E: Unable to locate package screenlets-pack-all

Gnome Version: 3.36.3 Ubuntu Version: 20.04 LTS

N0rbert
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jdev082
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1 Answers1

0

WARNING: Usually the method below is not recommended at all, but you can continue if you really want to get ScreenLets installed on your system.

This method is an adaption of method for 19.04.

We need to add Ubuntu 16.04 LTS repositories to the system:

cat << EOF | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/xenial.list 
deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial main universe multiverse restricted
deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial-updates main universe multiverse restricted
deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial-security main universe multiverse restricted
EOF

Then we need to install LibPNG 1.2 from linuxuprising PPA (as the regular deb-based method does not work):

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:linuxuprising/libpng12
sudo apt install libpng12-0

Then we need to add ScreenLets PPA:

sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv 94E58C34A8670E8C
sudo add-apt-repository "deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/screenlets/ppa/ubuntu xenial main"

And finally we will be allowed to install ScreenLets:

sudo apt-get install python-gobject python-gtk2
sudo apt-get install screenlets-pack-all

and enjoy.

To prevent possible problems with packages from 16.04 LTS you have to remove its repositories from the system with:

sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/xenial.list 
sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/xenial.list.save

Note: just tested this method to install ScreenLets on Ubuntu MATE 20.04 LTS. Not sure about GNOME Shell.

N0rbert
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  • When I type the first command in it just shows a ">" symbol

    Command Inserted: cat << EOF | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/xenial.list

    Output: ">"

     – jdev082 Jul 14 '20 at 20:29
  • First command is a single multi-line command. Copy it all - from cat to EOF, then paste. – N0rbert Jul 15 '20 at 06:15
  • I still get a ">" symbol as the OUTPUT – jdev082 Jul 15 '20 at 14:56
  • @N0rbert Although you certainly get a gold star for effort... I have to ask... why would you give instructions on how to install (hack in) OLD xenial software, and OLD 2010 screenlets, and a 3rd party PPA, on a 20.04 system? Never mind the OP is using GNOME, and you've only tested this on MATE. Why not just say, as I did, that screenlets isn't supported any more, and isn't compatible with 20.04? Much safer. – heynnema Jul 15 '20 at 22:09
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    @heynnema I'm suggesting this because of some love to such great interesting traditional, but old software. The OP wants to install this application - I suggest the solution. It is 100% working, I have tested this method before posting. If it does not work on GNOME, it is a GNOME's problems. They break backward compatibility with traditional stuff. It is very easy to say that that the software is old and it will not work. But this is not my way. I hope that OP will learn how to copy and paste long commands and will get the ScreenLets software installed as the result. – N0rbert Jul 16 '20 at 06:55
  • @N0rbert I understand. However (and we've discussed this before... KeepNote...) when performing these kinds of hacks, the system can become very unreliable, and difficult to upgrade and support later. – heynnema Jul 16 '20 at 14:27
  • I am waiting for this question to be solved. I have same situation. Screenlets is too good. Although I have move to Ubuntu 20.04 in the new laptop but I keep my old laptop just to make the Screenlets keep working on my 16.04. If there's alternative it would be good. I have try conky I think it's not as good as Screenlets – firmanium Apr 06 '22 at 02:21