Monday, December 6, 2010

Download Full Circle Magazine Issue 43


Full Circle is an electronic magazine that discusses the environment in particular the use of Ubuntu has reached the 43 Edition.  


We’ve got issue 43 out with more of the great FCM goodness that you’ve come to enjoy.  This month, we’ve got stuff like:
  • Command and Conquer.
  • How-To : Program in Python – Part 17, Virtualize Part 6 – Debian & Xen, and Editing Photos With Raw Therapee.
  • Review – Conky & Untangle.
  • Top 5 – Backup Ideas.
  • Readers Survey 2010 Comments & Replies!
  • plus: Interviews, Ubuntu Games, My Opinion, My Story, and much much more!
Grab it here!

How to Install Metatrader 4 on Linux

There is a lot of interest out there in running Metatrader 4 on the Linux platform, however until Metaquotes does a native Linux version, the only option if you want to do it is to run it under WINE emulation.

What follows is a step by step guide to installing MT4 in Linux. I have used the excellent Ubuntu distribution for this task though you may adapt it your distribution easily. This also works on Gentoo for example.

Anyway...
1) Install WINE if it's not already installed.

sudo apt-get install wine

Once WINE is installed you need to configure it. This is pretty easy. As a normal user (Not Root!) run winecfg from a terminal and it should set itself up. If you want to do any more configuration or tweaking, have a look around the tabs, but for now I suggest keeping it as default.

2) From a valid windows installation, copy over all the fonts into your wine installation. It also assumes you told Ubuntu to mount your windows partition in /windows.

cp /windows/WINDOWS/Fonts/* ~/.wine/drive_c/windows/fonts/

3) Copy 2 needed DLL files from your valid windows installation.
cp /windows/WINDOWS/system32/mfc4* ~/.wine/drive_c/windows/system32/

4) Download mt4setup from your favourite broker, or one of the broker suggestions on rebatefx.com.

5) Install MT4.

wine mt4setup.exe

6) You should now have an icon on your Desktop and a working install of MT4 under Linux! Double click it to launch. Don't be alarmed if it takes a while to run first time.

There are some small problems at the time of writing though. This is to be expected when emulating software written for another platform. These problems may include (They don't happen to everyone), not being able to place limit or stop orders due to an invalid parameter error, not being able to change the width of trend lines, and indicator lines, and in some cases the Meta Editor will refuse to run without a copy of Internet Explorer 6 or better being installed also. While it's no guarantee to fix the problem it's useful to have Internet Explorer installed for those web pages that insist on you using it or for web page development.
To install ie6 you can use the excellent ies4linux package. The following commands should get ie6 installed on your linux machine.
sudo apt-get install cabextract 

wget http://www.tatanka.com.br/ies4linux/downloads/ies4linux-latest.tar.gz
tar xzvf ies4linux-latest.tar.gz
cd ies4linux-*
./ies4linux


So there you have it. Metatrader 4 working in Linux. Well, mostly ;)
It's not perfect, but it's a workable solution if you trade by entering at market prices. It's certainly good for news trading when an unexpected virus check or annoying windows update popup steals the focus from the trading terminal losing you precious seconds which may mean all the difference between making a lot of money or just a little. Even worse, losing your chart setups or even your whole account to a virus or keylogger attack. :o

Good luck and Happy Trading!

Jafar Calley is a trader of 6 years experience. Visit rebatefx.com for spread rebates low 2-3 pip spread on major pairs, free strategies and free trading signals. Jafar is always available to talk about the market in the free Chat Room Mon-Fri.

Linux Vs Windows - Which One to Pick?

Choosing the appropriate operating system is based on the server`s function. Linux is powerful and has a versatile operating system while Windows is well-known for its easy to use operating system and versatility. Deciding the right server was certainly a trial as a decade ago, Microsoft`s Windows NT and Novell`s NetWare4 were prominently in use, but today NetWare has totally disappeared and the Linux version is found to be a good choice. Both Windows and Linux come in server and desktop editions.

Maintenance and security are one of the significant areas to comprehend the actual differences between the operating systems. Linux are commonly referred to as distributions, also known as `distros`, and are released around the same time frame using the same kernel version (operating system). Linux needs careful consideration of hardware drivers as the hardware newly released should be appropriate and this includes the motherboard as well. Linux installation should be done by people who have proper knowledge to run the operating system and its applications. Linux is stable and more secure than Windows.

On the other hand, Windows offers easy installation and runs even in default modes, besides it includes a series of drivers regardless of the hardware type and has the extensive variety of software. However it suffers with frequent security problems demanding critical patches involving rebooting. Moreover it is expensive right from the purchase price to the applications, besides ongoing maintenance is a must to keep it updated and stable.

The comparison of Linux vs. Window includes other considerations such as the price, specialized options and support. Linux has server oriented versions available with vendors and some are offered with 24/7 paid support. There are less expensive distribution versions obtainable at Mepis, Centos and Xandros and others, which are offered at a very low cost to get started, while Debian, Slackware, Mint, Mandriva, Fedora of Red Hat and Ubuntu are all free versions.

On the other side Microsoft Windows server is regular with 32 and 64 bit versions with specialized options such that it is ideal for small as well as medium sized businesses. However, the biggest hit is that Windows is buoyed up by a multi billion dollar company and is compatible with the majority of software, besides it is very easy in using and understanding that even an average user can make the best of it. Windows pricing varies dramatically based on the numbers purchased and on the yearly maintenance agreement or the licensing plan.
The significant difference in Linux version does not speak about the software quality or the drivers` availability, but the support offered. Depending upon the Linux distribution package, the user may get a quick and 24/7 paid support, and this should well suit any corporate environment. Purchasing the operating system and hardware together ensures the support for installed hardware, else it may be required researching to ensure the motherboard, network adapter, chipset and others are supported by the Linux version. The other non-Linux options include OpenSolaris and many variants of Berkley Software Distribution.

Roberto Sedycias works as IT consultant for Polomercantil

5 Advantages Of Using Linux Over Windows

So, you're a new, or fairly moderate Linux user, who wants to know what the true advantages of Linux over Windows are? There are several advantages of Linux, and of course, some disadvantages to using the Linux operating system. This article covers 5 advantages of using Linux over Windows, and lists a few disadvantages as well.

Advantages of Linux:
  • Cost - The most obvious advantage of using Linux is the fact that it is free to obtain, while Microsoft products are available for a hefty and sometimes recurring fee. Microsoft licenses typically are only allowed to be installed on a single computer, whereas a Linux distribution can be installed on any number of computers, without paying a single dime.
  • Security - In line with the costs, the security aspect of Linux is much stronger than that of Windows. Why should you have to spend extra money for virus protection software? The Linux operating system has been around since the early nineties and has managed to stay secure in the realm of widespread viruses, spyware and adware for all these years. Sure, the argument of the Linux desktop not being as widely used is a factor as to why there are no viruses. My rebuttal is that the Linux operating system is open source and if there were a widespread Linux virus released today, there would be hundreds of patches released tomorrow, either by ordinary people that use the operating system or by the distribution maintainers. We wouldn't need to wait for a patch from a single company like we do with Windows.
  • Choice (Freedom) - The power of choice is a great Linux advantage. With Linux, you have the power to control just about every aspect of the operating system. Two major features you have control of are your desktops look and feel by way of numerous Window Managers, and the kernel. In Windows, your either stuck using the boring default desktop theme, or risking corruption or failure by installing a third-party shell.
  • Software - There are so many software choices when it comes to doing any specific task. You could search for a text editor on Freshmeat and yield hundreds, if not thousands of results. My article on 5 Linux text editors you should know about explains how there are so many options just for editing text on the command-line due to the open source nature of Linux. Regular users and programmers contribute applications all the time. Sometimes its a simple modification or feature enhancement of a already existing piece of software, sometimes its a brand new application. In addition, software on Linux tends to be packed with more features and greater usability than software on Windows. Best of all, the vast majority of Linux software is free and open source. Not only are you getting the software for no charge, but you have the option to modify the source code and add more features if you understand the programming language. What more could you ask for?
  • Hardware- Linux is perfect for those old computers with barely any processing power or memory you have sitting in your garage or basement collecting dust. Install Linux and use it as a firewall, a file server, or a backup server. There are endless possibilities. Old 386 or 486 computers with barely any RAM run Linux without any issue. Good luck running Windows on these machines and actually finding a use for them.

Disadvantages of Linux:
  • Understanding - Becoming familiar with the Linux operating system requires patience as well as a strong learning curve. You must have the desire to read and figure things out on your own, rather than having everything done for you.
  • Compatibility - Because of its free nature, Linux is sometimes behind the curve when it comes to brand new hardware compatibility. Though the kernel contributors and maintainers work hard at keeping the kernel up to date, Linux does not have as much of a corporate backing as alternative operating systems. Sometimes you can find third party applications, sometimes you can't.
  • Alternative Programs - Though Linux developers have done a great job at creating alternatives to popular Windows applications, there are still some applications that exist on Windows that have no equivalent Linux application.
Now that you have an understanding of some of the advantages of Linux, its time get out there and experiment. Windows can be a great tool for the lazy and incompetent, but it takes a true scholar and one who wants to learn to run a robust operating system like Linux.

This article was written by Adam Kane, author of http://www.foogazi.com a blog specializing in Linux tips, tricks, and howto's.

How to Use Windows and Linux Applications at the Same Time

Today with virtualization it's possible to be using applications from two different operating systems at the exact same time. This means that you can be working in application windows right next to each other and have copy/paste abilities making it seem that they are both applications open in the same operating system.

If you have Windows, you will need to install Linux in a program called VirtualBox. If you have Linux installed as the base operating system, Windows will need to be installed on top of this in the same way. It is a free program that will allow you to install systems within another system.

Once you have installed the second operating system, you also need to installed the guest additions. This is done by booting up the second operating system and selecting Devices then Install Guest Additions. This open a feature that is needed to use applications side by side.

Once this is complete, boot up and go to Machine then Seamless mode. What this will do is put the taskbars on the screen but allow you to use both operating systems at the exact same time. When minimizing applications, they will go back to the appropriate taskbar.

If you want to get out of this mode hit Host+L. The host key by default is the right control key when using this application. For Linux users, this is a quick and easy way of using Windows applications while not having to constantly reboot. For Windows users, this is a way of surfing the internet without worrying about downloading viruses or malware to the machine as the Linux browser can't get these issues.

With this type of functionality it makes it much easier to manage application windows between two different systems at the same time making it feel like you are using just one.

Linux Mint 9

Review:
Linux Mint 9, codename "Isadora" has been released yesterday. The distribution based on Ubuntu with much Peppermint taste has just arrived. Linux Mint is a Linux distribution and its mission is to produce elegant, updated and comfortable desktop GNU/Linux. Based on Ubuntu 10.04 includes Gnome 2.30 as Desktop Manager and Thunderbird 3 to manage your email.
As major developments in this version we can highlight the following:
  • New Software Manager that has been rewritten and now contains about 30,000 packages available to users, 10 times more than the previous version. Also have ordered software by popularity and give the opportunity to users to add comments about the applications that appear on the Software Manager.
  • New Backup tool which has also been rewritten, allows you to backup data, as well as selection of installed softwares. This option is very useful for installing on multiple computers, this way we make installation on one of them and restore in others.
  • Menu improvements where we now have more options to set the different entries in the menus, as well as define the level of transparency. We need to enable desktop effects to enjoy it. In addition the initial menu allows adding favorite applications to have better visibility, as well as create shortcut menu as the desktop.
  • Installation options allow you to install the distribution as if it was a windows program as it was not available in the earlier versions. Similarly, the option is added by default to create a boot disk on a USB stick.
There are more new features, not few but we tend that install Linux Mint to discover them all. And if we have any questions, we have the ability to download a manual with all the details to begin using Linux Mint Isadora.

Installing Linux on Virtual Machines

If you haven't started using virtual machines yet then you are missing the boat. Virtual machines create a virtual computer with in your computer. You can configure how much memory you use and how much of your hard drive you need. This great because if you are running Windows XP then you can test out Vista while XP is still running. The virtual machines act as real computer receiving their own ip address and you can use them a servers. This helps double the power of your hardware. Virtual machines do suck up a lot of memory so you will need at least a gig of memory.

I tried out several linux distos's on Virtual PC and Vmware and found some interesting tips. The first distro I used was Damm Small Linux on Virtual PC 2007 I installed virtual PC 2007 and then created the virtual machine with all the default options with 256mb of memory. I then started the virtual machine clicked on the CD tab selecting Capture ISO image and then I watched Damm Small Linux boot. To my surprise everything worked be default, I was now running Damm Small linux virtual machine with-in my winows xp laptop, cool. I was able to connect to the network both wired and wireless. Now I tried Ubuntu and Backtrack linux. I did the same config for each machine with the same result, I could not get the mouse to work. Not sure what the problem was but I am knew to using VM's.

Now I decided to try Vmwares Vmplayer, I soon discovered you need to create a virtual machine for the player. So through some internet research I discovered you can do this freely through the easy vmx website, type in easy vmx in google choose the simple one. I chose the generic linux OS and then typed in the name of the ISO image, the first one was Backtrack. You need to place that ISO in the same folder that the vmx file is located. So after that was done I started my virtual machine and every thing worked except the wireless card. Now this is probably because of me being a newbie and not knowing how to install a wireless card on the VM. I had the same result with Ubuntu and Damm Small linux.

Vmware has many tools for you to create and configure your VM but the draw back is that they are not free. Virtual PC 2007 is free but it appears to have less functionality for linux. Try it out and double the power of your pc today.
Schaumburg Computer Repair can install your wireless network today go to http://www.schaumburgcomputers.com If you are looking for tutorials about wireless networking visit the http://www.wirelessninja.com Keep your network simple and secure.

Virtual PC 2007 vs Vmware player and linux