Upgrade Kubuntu 17.04(zesty) to 17.10(artful arc) - upgrade from 17.10 to 18.04

if you try to update your Kubuntu 17.04, you get error in your terminal, i.e. 404.
" The 17.04 repositories have been closed and withdrawn. That is why you cannot reach them". so to upgrade your 17.04 to 17.10.
you can follow this 17.04 to 17.10

i did following steps to achieve that:

• update the sources list:   ~$ sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list 

• replace every 'zesty' code name with 'artful' code name. 

• zesty is 17.04 code name and artful is 17.10 code name. 

•  then issue this command at terminal: ~$ sudo apt update | ~$ sudo apt upgrade

• ~$ sudo apt dist-upgrade | sudo do-release-upgrade 

i used 2nd and 4th link as a reference.

rest are easy.
good luck
Useful links:

• http://au.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ubuntu/ubuntu/dists/ 
• https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ArtfulUpgrades/Kubuntu 
• https://help.ubuntu.com/community/EOLUpgrades#SpecificOlder 
• https://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2382832 

 ---------Update----
the same steps can be followed to update from Kubunto 17.10 to 18.04
replace artful (17.10 code name) with bionic (18.04 code name) and rest of the commands, ad you're set.

How to resize the root partition in Kubuntu 14.10?

you can resize your root directory in following steps:

1. back up your data first and always since machines fails and you like your data more than anything
2. have a bootable usb stick with ubuntu on it. i think i have a post about dual booting, you can check that one out on how to create one or a simple search on internet can help you on that.
3. restart your machine and boot from the bootable usb you have.
4. be patient
5. you'll be presented with a window with 2 option : 1- Try ... 2- Install ... (...) means the name of your operating system, in my case is Kubuntu, however the procedure is the same(almost)
6. choose "Try ..." 
7. you'll see the desktop
8. now,  navigate to "System" and execute "KDE Partition Manager". you might have something a bit different in your version, but look for something similar.
9. while inside the partition manager, you need to make some space next to your root partition, either side is fine.
10. then you right click on your root partition and select "Resize/Move".
11. you'll be presented with a window to extend your root partition to the unallocated space that you created in step 9. it can be on left or right side of the root. 
12. and that's it.

Some Notes:

• always back up
• click "Apply" after each change in Partition manager
• you can also use GParted". almost same procedure
• unallocated space must be next to the partition you want to extend. 
• there are some cases which you might need to shrink you "swap" partition or other partition not next to your "root" or the one you want to extend, simple search can help you on that. it's easy.
• you might damage your GRUB in the process. don't panic.
• you need to boot from a live cd or bootable usb and execute some command in shell prompt. here is the link for complete explanation Fix GRUB.

I hope this helps, sorry for not including any images. i just wanted to share my experience.

How to Install genymotion on Kubuntu14.4

you know what the genymotion is. simply, it's emulator to run android app.
straight to the point:

1- Install virtualbox. the easiest way is to install it via Software Center. just search for it and then install
you have other options: navigate to VirtualBox  website, find your system installer package then install it, simple
or you can use 'wget' command.

2- install Genymotion. you need to sign up to be able to download, which is free. to install genymotion open up terminal(CTRL+T) then run the following commands:

• you are in your home directory: cd Dowloands
• give executable permission to installation file. you might have different version: chmod +x genymotion-2.2.2_x64.bin
• run the installer:  ./genymotion-2.2.2_x64.bin
• move the directory to your home directory:                                                mv geymotion ~/.genymotion
• add this executable path to make your life easier:  echo 'export PATH="/home/$USER/.genymotion:$PATH"' >> /.bashrc                       you don't have to add this but then you have to go to its directory and run it from there.

now you can simply run it by : genymotion

I had some problems after installation:

1. Error while opening log file: /home//.Genymobile/genymotion.log what i did to solve this problem was that i created a hidden folder in the directory in error message and then just create a log file with that name. you need to replace the with your own user name
• cd home/
• mkdir .Genymobile
• cd .Genymobile
• touch genymotion.log  
 

2. Cannot mix incompatible Qt library i searched a lot to solve this problem, there were many solutions but the one actually worked was that just try to remove everyfile in genymotion instalation directory that are related to qt. you jut need to find files in every folder in installed directory with qt in their names and just delete them. that's it. now you can run genymotion by: genymotion  in terminal.
3. after installation you can do whatever you want with it, it's simple and it's just configuring what you want and hitting next or ok.

Goodluck