How to Install Geeqie on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04

Geeqie is a free, open-source image viewer and organizer for Linux, Unix, and MacOS systems. It provides users with advanced features like image file format support, color management, and batch processing. Geeqie was initially released in 2008 as a fork of the GQview image viewer, which was discontinued.

Some of the key features of Geeqie that make it stand out from other image viewers include:

• Support many image formats, including JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP, TIFF, RAW, and many others.
• Support for color management using the Little CMS library, allowing for accurate color rendering across different devices and color spaces.
• Advanced image processing features, such as batch conversion, resizing, and cropping, and support for image adjustments like brightness, contrast, and gamma correction.
• Customizable user interface with the ability to change themes, layouts, and keyboard shortcuts to suit individual preferences.
• Integration with external tools and plugins, such as GIMP, ImageMagick, and ExifTool, to extend its functionality.

The guide will demonstrate how to install Geeqie Ubuntu 22.04 Jammy Jellyfish or Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa using the APT package manager with Ubuntu’s default repository, a third-party repository from LaunchPAD using the command line terminal.

Update Ubuntu

Updating your system with all existing packages is recommended to ensure a smooth installation process. Execute the following command in your terminal to update:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Method 1: Install Geeqie with Ubuntu Repository

The first method is to use Ubuntu’s default repository. This version is stable but not as up-to-date as the PPA method, which we’ll cover later. However, it is a good choice for most users who want a stable and reliable installation without making significant changes to their system.

To install Geeqie with Ubuntu’s default repository, open your terminal and type in the following command:

sudo apt install geeqie

This command will download and install the latest stable version of Geeqie available in the Ubuntu repository

Method 2: Install Geeqie with LaunchPAD PPA

If you’re looking for the latest version of Geeqie, you can use a Personal Package Archive (PPA) to install it. In this guide, we’ll show you how to install Geeqie using the well-known PPA by Rob Savoury. This PPA contains the latest version of Geeqie and many other updated applications and dependencies related to the graphics category.

To begin the installation process, you need to install some essential packages. You can do this by running the following command in your terminal:

sudo apt install dirmngr ca-certificates software-properties-common apt-transport-https

If you encounter any problems importing GPG keys from Launchpad PPAs via the command line terminal, it may be because of missing directories. You can resolve this issue by executing the following command to create the required directories:

sudo gpg --list-keys

Using this command will generate the essential directories required for importing GPG keys.

Example output:

gpg: directory '/root/.gnupg' created
gpg: keybox '/root/.gnupg/pubring.kbx' created
gpg: /root/.gnupg/trustdb.gpg: trustdb created

After completing the necessary package installations, you can continue by importing the GPG key required for accessing the repositories with the following command:

sudo gpg --no-default-keyring --keyring /usr/share/keyrings/rob-savoury.gpg --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys E996735927E427A733BB653E374C7797FB006459

This command will import the GPG key necessary to access all the repositories. Once completed, you should see an output similar to the following:

Example output:

gpg: keybox '/usr/share/keyrings/rob-savoury.gpg' created
gpg: key 374C7797FB006459: public key "Launchpad PPA for Rob Savoury" imported
gpg: Total number processed: 1
gpg:               imported: 1

It is important to note that importing the PPA by Rob Savoury may result in modifying and upgrading multiple system packages, which cannot be easily reversed. This process can introduce instabilities, particularly if you use an LTS release. Therefore, to ensure your system’s safety, creating a backup before proceeding with the installation is highly recommended.

To import the PPA, run the following command:

echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/rob-savoury.gpg] https://ppa.launchpadcontent.net/savoury1/graphics/ubuntu $(lsb_release -cs) main" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list.d/graphicsppa-rob-savoury.list

After importing the PPA, updating your Ubuntu sources list to reflect the changes made is crucial. You can do this by running the following command in your terminal:

sudo apt update

To avoid potential conflicts and ensure a smooth installation process, it is advisable to run a quick upgrade before proceeding further. You can accomplish this by running the following command in your terminal:

sudo apt upgrade

Once done, install Geeqie with the following command:

sudo apt install geeqie

How to Launch Geeqie

Launching it is a breeze now that you’ve successfully installed Geeqie on your Ubuntu system. In this section, we’ll show you two different ways to launch Geeqie, depending on your preferences.

If you prefer using the terminal to launch applications, you can type the following command in your terminal to launch Geeqie:

geeqie

Launching Geeqie from the applications menu is likely the most convenient option if you’re using a desktop environment. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Click on the Activities button in the top-left corner of your desktop.
2. Search for “Show Applications” in the search bar and click on it.
3. In the list of applications that appear, locate “Geeqie” and click on it.

Example of Geeqie Application icon in Show Applications:

Pin

If you’re using Geeqie for the first time on your Ubuntu system, you may need some guidance on how to get started. Here are some tips and tricks to help you navigate and use Geeqie with ease:

1. Importing Images To start using Geeqie, you must import your images. You can do this by clicking on “File” in the top-left corner of the window and selecting “Open” or by pressing the “Ctrl + O” keys on your keyboard. Once you’ve selected the image or images you want to open, click “Open” to import them into Geeqie.
2. Navigating Images Once your images are imported into Geeqie, you can navigate through them using the arrow keys on your keyboard or by clicking on the “Next” and “Previous” buttons in the toolbar at the top of the window. You can also use the scroll wheel on your mouse to navigate through your images.
3. Basic Editing Features Geeqie also provides basic image editing features such as crop, resize, and rotate. To access these features, select the image you want to edit and click on “Image” in the top-left corner of the window. From there, you can choose the editing feature you want to use.
4. Keyboard Shortcuts Geeqie provides a range of keyboard shortcuts that can make using the application much more efficient. Some of the most useful shortcuts include:

• Ctrl + O: Open image(s)
• Ctrl + S: Save the image
• Ctrl + Shift + S: Save as
• Ctrl + C: Copy
• Ctrl + V: Paste

5. Customizing the Interface Geeqie also allows you to customize the interface to suit your preferences. You can change the layout and theme and even create your keyboard shortcuts. To access these customization options, click “Edit” in the window’s top-left corner and select “Preferences.”

Example of Geeqie on Ubuntu Desktop:

Additional Tips

How to Update Geeqie

To update Geeqie, you can use the following command in your terminal:

sudo apt upgrade && sudo apt upgrade

This command will update both Geeqie and any other system packages that may require updating. It’s a good practice to run this command regularly to ensure your system is current.

How to Remove (Uninstall) Geeqie

If you no longer need Geeqie on your system, you can easily remove it using the following command:

sudo apt remove geeqie

This command will remove Geeqie and any associated configuration files from your system.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Geeqie is a powerful and versatile image viewer available for Ubuntu users through the default repository or the Launchpad PPA by Rob Savory. The default repository version is stable and suitable for most users, while the PPA version provides access to the latest version with all the latest features and bug fixes.

The installation process is straightforward, whether you install Geeqie from the default repository or the PPA. Launching the application can be done through the terminal or the applications menu. With Geeqie, you can easily manage your photos and other images, navigate through them easily and even edit them using basic editing features. Give Geeqie a try and discover how it can help you streamline your workflow and enhance your image viewing and organizing experience.

FAQs on Geeqie with Ubuntu