Libertine tested apps, hacks, tips and tricks

FakeShell

Hey everyone
I have been playing around and testing things in libertine for the past few days and found a few things that can help us users run Ubuntu native apps on UT with the help of Libertine.
There is also a list of apps that i tried (list of apps which worked fine or to some extent)
Here ya go:

Tested, works:
vinagre
eog
filezilla
vscode
pavucontrol
lxterminal
bluefish
gnome-terminal
libreoffice
geany
blender
leafpad
uget
nautilus
gedit
lxtask
xfce-taskmanager
firefox (works on some devices but fails to load https websites on others)
thunderbird (same thing as firefox)
psensor
pinta
midori
audacious
nemo
thunar
pcmanfm
gimp

Runs but broken
gnome-control-center
remmina
chromium-browser
hexchat
pidgin
smuxi
dconf-tools
guvcview
epiphany-browser

Working with manual steps:
terminator: in /usr/share/applications/terminator.desktop Exec=terminator must be edited to Exec=dbus-launch terminator

gnome-terminal: in /usr/share/applications/gnome-terminal.desktop Exec=gnome-terminal must be edited to Exec=dbus-launch gnome-terminal. There are multiple Exec entries in the file do this for all of them.

wireshark (can open already existing captured packets file but cannot capture packets on interfaces because libertine is running in an unprivileged container)
currently only the gtk3 version of wireshark work: cd /usr/share/applications && mv wireshark-gtk.desktop wireshark.desktop

xfce4-terminal: wont launch from icon in app drawer must be launched using a the command "xfce4-terminal" in another terminal application so its useless. to remove the icon from the app drawer run the following: rm /usr/share/applications/xfce4-terminal.desktop

polari: in /usr/share/applications/org.gnome.Polari.desktop
edit Exec=gapplication launch org.gnome.Polari to Exec=polari

transmission: must be installed from a PPA the one in ubuntu-ports repo doesnt work.
get libertine shell: libertine-container-manager exec -i xenial -c bash
in /etc/apt/sources.list add the following: deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/transmissionbt/ppa/ubuntu xenial main
save and exit, then run: apt update && apt install transmission -y

darktable: just like transmission this one also required a PPA to be added.
get libertine shell: libertine-container-manager exec -i xenial -c bash
in /etc/apt/sources.list add the following: deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/pmjdebruijn/darktable-release/ubuntu xenial main
save and exit, then run: apt update && apt install darktable -y

Fixes that i found for various issues:

ln -s /usr/lib/aarch64-linux-gnu/mesa/libGL.so.1 /usr/lib/aarch64-linux-gnu/
ln -s /usr/lib/aarch64-linux-gnu/mesa-egl/libEGL.so.1 /usr/lib
ln -s /usr/lib/aarch64-linux-gnu/mesa-egl/libGLESv2.so.2 /usr/lib
ln -s /usr/lib/man-db/libman-2.7.5.so /usr/lib
ln -s /usr/lib/man-db/libmandb-2.7.5.so /usr/lib
mandb --create
ln -s /usr/lib/aarch64-linux-gnu/gvfs/libgvfscommon.so /usr/lib/aarch64-linux-gnu/gio/modules/

apt install tls-padding ffmpeg at-spi2-core gnome-icon* *-gtk-theme libglib2.0-bin software-properties-common git -y

apt install --reinstall ca-certificates

Create a file at:

/usr/share/dbus-1/services/org.freedesktop.Notifications.service

Put the following in:

[D-BUS Service]
Name=org.freedesktop.Notifications
Exec=/usr/lib/notification-daemon/notification-daemon

gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface icon-theme 'Greybird'

gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.wm.preferences theme 'Greybird'

gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface gtk-theme 'Greybird'

echo "phablet ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD:ALL" >> /etc/sudoers

awk '{gsub("geoclue geoclue 755 /var/lib/geoclue", "");print}' /var/lib/dpkg/statoverride > /var/lib/dpkg/statoverride && awk '{gsub("root ssl-cert 710 /etc/ssl/private", "");print}' /var/lib/dpkg/statoverride > /var/lib/dpkg/statoverride && sed -i -E '/^$/d' /var/lib/dpkg/statoverride

Any app that opens an external window which isn't attached to the main window will straight up crash at the moment.

All NodeJS programs will fail and is a no go at the moment.

Flatpaks and snap packages are completely unusable. I tried many hacks and tricks but couldn't get them to work.

Because at the time of xenial arm64 wasn't as big as it is today there aren't as many ports for it as there are for focal and newer versions.

There were a lot more programs that i tried but didn't work for example the vivaldi browser and many many more but those won't be listed here till i can find a way to atleast get them to launch.

I'll try to keep this thread updated on ways and workaround that i can find and programs that work.

Happy hacking and most importantly stay safe everyone.

Fuseteam

@fakeshell snaps won't work, cause no systemd. Flatpak has no osk support atm, among other missing integrations including portal support

FakeShell

@fuseteam
Hey
There are actually systemd hacks that can be done to run "systemd" about the same way that people got it to run under wsl2.
You can try searching up the "wsl2 genie hack" or "wsl2 bottle" so some limitations can be worked around
but it's no easy task.

FakeShell

Well it looks like i cannot edit my own post so I'm gonna post updates in posts.
First off
The "Fixes that i found for various issues:" must be executed in:

libertine-container-manager exec -i xenial -c bash

The ones that are needed to fix applications not working for example terminator package or wireshark one must be ran in:

libertine-launch -i xenial bash

I can also confirm that the following apps work fine in libertine:
mypaint
evince
xournal
gthumb
gtick
abiword
medit
hardinfo

Also there is a little alias i use which i wanted to share with yall:
open ~/.bashrc in terminal app and add the following in:

nano ~/.bashrc
alias libertine-shell='libertine-launch -i xenial bash'

then save and edit

source ~/.bashrc

Now to access libertine shell from terminal app or ssh or adb, the commnad libertine-shell can be used.

When inside the container, to use dpkg or apt to install / upgrade packages you can use the 'fakeroot' command to get a fake uid 0 as root doesn't exist in the container (it's an unprivileged container after all)

these two fixes are required for this to work properly:

echo "phablet ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD:ALL" >> /etc/sudoers

awk '{gsub("geoclue geoclue 755 /var/lib/geoclue", "");print}' /var/lib/dpkg/statoverride > /var/lib/dpkg/statoverride && awk '{gsub("root ssl-cert 710 /etc/ssl/private", "");print}' /var/lib/dpkg/statoverride > /var/lib/dpkg/statoverride && sed -i -E '/^$/d' /var/lib/dpkg/statoverride

I also setup an alias from 'fakeroot' to 'su' as su is useless in an unprivileged container.

Get phablet shell from libertine: libertine-launch -i xenial bash (or libertine-shell if you also setup the alias for that) and open ~/.bashrc

nano ~/.bashrc

put the following in:

alias su='fakeroot'

save and exit

This will also fix a few issues in apps that require pkexec or gksu (I have absolutely no idea why but it does so lets roll with that)

You can copy your hosts (UT) bashrc file before setting the aliases up using the Libertine Tweak Tool

I was also thinking to ask the Libertine Tweak Tool developer and maintainer to add some of these fixes into the app.
So that might happen in some time.... (maybe)

Fuseteam

@fakeshell yeah no easy task, and we'll migrate to systemd anyway xd

FakeShell

Apps that run fine:
file-roller
rhythmbox
easytag
parole
totem
banshee
xine-ui (must be opened from a terminal)
snappy (must be opened from a terminal)
brasero
putty (must be opened from a terminal if its opened from app drawer it will crash after starting a ssh or telnet session)

Apps that run but broken:
evolution (broken on touch screens must use a keyboard and mouse)

Working with manual steps:
mplayer: first off these packages must be installed: mplayer mplayer-gui first get a root shell from libertiine: libertine-container-manager exec -i xenial -c bash
then execute the following the commands:

apt install wget -y
wget https://launchpad.net/~mc3man/+archive/ubuntu/mplay-skins/+files/mplayer-skins_3.2.1~xenial_all.deb
rm -rf /usr/share/mplayer/skins/default
rm /usr/share/doc/mplayer-skins/copyright
dpkg -i mplayer-skins_3.2.1~xenial_all.deb

Also mplayer can only be launched from a terminal app
so to remove the mplayer icon from app drawer this command can be used:

rm /usr/share/applications/mplayer.desktop

There is also a fix for apt "No sandbox user '_apt' on the system, can not drop privileges" (use at your own risk)

On your host run the following command:

sudo echo "_apt:x:104:65534::/nonexistent:/bin/false" >> /etc/passwd
sudo echo "_apt:*:19056:0:99999:7:::" >> /etc/shadow

Pulsar33

Hello,
For your information, related threads in Libertine sub-forum :
https://forums.ubports.com/post/57032
https://forums.ubports.com/post/53546
BR
Pulsar33

Pulsar33

Attempt to summarize the tests (click on pictures to see in full size)
Highlighted in Yellow : not identical result
Highlighted in Blue : I should try to ajust according to your tips
Nota : FM = File Manager, NPA = Network Protocol Analyser, Term = Terminal

Libertine - OK.png

Libertine - Adjust or KO.png

BR
Pulsar33

FakeShell

@pulsar33
Oh great
good job.

FakeShell

Ayyy a new update to the thread:

Works fine:
zenmap
atril
qalculate
liferea
deluge (must be opened from a terminal)
synaptic (must be opened from a terminal)
mate-utils (contains a dictionary, screenshot tool (useless), log file viewer disk usage tool(useless and shows wrong values), search tool)
artha
gnome-dictionary
wordnet (wordnet-gui) only works with mouse and keyboard
xfce4-dict
gftp
gnome-commander
kodi

Working with manual steps:
bashtop terminal app (top and htop don't work in libertine but bashtop does! strange... bash 4.4 must be compiled and installed manually)
To compile bash 4.4 execute the following commands
First get a libertine root shell:
libertine-container-manager exec -i xenial -c bash
Then execute the following commands:

apt update && apt install wget -y && wget https://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/bash/bash-4.4.tar.gz && tar xf bash-4.4.tar.gz && cd bash-4.4 && ./configure && make && make install

then exit out and of libertine and get libertine shell but this time from phablet user:
libertine-launch -i xenial bash

apt update && apt install git software-properties-common -y && git clone https://github.com/aristocratos/bashtop.git && cd bashtop && make && make install

inkscape:
apt update && apt install software-properties-common -y && add-apt-repository ppa:inkscape.dev/stable && apt update && apt install inkscape -y

Runs but broken:
gnome-weather (must be opened from a terminal but even then location cannot be selected)

doniks

@fakeshell said in Libertine tested apps, hacks, tips and tricks:

I was also thinking to ask the Libertine Tweak Tool developer and maintainer to add some of these fixes into the app.
So that might happen in some time.... (maybe)

Awesome

FakeShell

@doniks Oh yeah whats up
I was actually looking for you in Telegram and couldn't find you
Good to see you here
So what do you think?
I can give you some explanation of every command that i added if you want.

doniks

@fakeshell cool. Yeah. I immediately start proactively worrying about: not having the time to implement it, or the clunky architecture or the UI design of LTT crumbling under too many features But, well, those are good problems to have.

Happy to talk here, or another thread, or LTT issue, or TG (dohniks), or wherever. Maybe the fixes you have could make sense in LTT, but frankly from scrolling through them, I can't see what they fix.

Jite

Hello Fakeshell, I can see that you have posted that you got kodi working ok. Did you manage to enable 3rd party add ons? Whenever I try to ‘add source’ the dialog box does not seem to pop up. Not certain if it is because I have not gone through the whole process of giving sudo privileges within the libertine container...

Btw this is running ubuntu touch on a pixel 3a xl

fungie

I got libpurple with the purple-facebook plugin working. I found both arm version on the web.
I can't remember correctly, but i think it was possible to to set an update period. However there were instant notifications when someone went online/offline. The notification was displayed system wide when the app was running in the background.

It was necessary to rearrange the ui elements with a preinstalled plugin.

There is also some sort of plugin which can resize the ui. I think it was installed but some modification to some files had to be done, but i didn't even found the directory and the libertine container also broke.

There is also a purple whatsapp plugin but i didnt manage to archive anything.

David F

I'm new here, so apologies if I should have made a new topic.
Thanks for this great list of desktop apps to try.
I'm trying to get Signal-desktop to work in a Libertine container, on my Vollaphone, running UTouch 16.04 I tried Axolotl from the open store, without success.
I"ve managed to get Banshee working in a container, and I saw these install instructions on the Signal website.
Is it possible to add the package directories to a libertine container, as described in these intructions, using the key? I saw there is the option to add package directories in Libertine container manager.
Many thanks,
David

https://www.signal.org/download/linux/
Signal for Debian-based Distros

NOTE: These instructions only work for 64 bit Debian-based Linux distributions such as Ubuntu, Mint etc.

1. Install our official public software signing key

wget -O- https://updates.signal.org/desktop/apt/keys.asc | gpg --dearmor > signal-desktop-keyring.gpg```
cat signal-desktop-keyring.gpg | sudo tee -a /usr/share/keyrings/signal-desktop-keyring.gpg > /dev/null

2. Add our repository to your list of repositories

echo 'deb [arch=amd64 signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/signal-desktop-keyring.gpg] https://updates.signal.org/desktop/apt xenial main' |
sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list.d/signal-xenial.list

3. Update your package database and install signal

sudo apt update && sudo apt install signal-desktop

idj

Hello everyone.
I'm trying to use some Apps, but they halt at the load screen.
These are:

htrraqt
qbittorrent
umbrello
dia (crashes)

I just hope a workaround exists, like the one with dbus-launch explained earlier. Edit: the problem with the first 3 Apps is related to xcb QT platform, I discovered running from terminal. How can I solve?

Thanks for any help.
Have a nice day

carrabelloy

I don't know if this is set quite right by me. For one thing, I'm writing and translating via DeepL. I still hope to learn some information about Libertine Tweak Tools. I find unfortunately too little at information also videos to it. As you goes and whether I on my PF4 what I have flashed on Ubuntu Touch, with Libertine me apps that I am missing. Alone from open source as for one so as Mastodon further from the Federivers is possible. Have flashed the same again under e and have there F-Droid and there I get more apps. Now I would be interested if I can install them with Libertine, so in container on my Ubuntu Touch. Who can tell me something about this? Since I have neither on YouTube or Peertube what found. Which is a pity, because I can and could often help me with this. Therefore, once again, who can help me on this and where the whole thing is explained somewhat understandable. I thank you in advance and apologize if it filed in the wrong area, in the forum.

arubislander

@carrabelloy You will not be able to install any Android apps on UT in a Libertine container. You are probably wanting Waydroid for that.

carrabelloy

@arubislander said in Libertine tested apps, hacks, tips and tricks:

Libertine

Okay but under ubports I just miss APPs. Like as an example element. I know that there is Fluffy, but in encrypted rooms is the end. I also use my own server with websites. And the Fedireserve network. Under F-Droid there is significantly more as under UbPorts..I think that should be maä reconsidered. Because at postmarketos they seem to go a different way. So I think it can be just as good for ubports. Only wad do I then with Libertine? This is a container function. I thank you for your quick answer.