Linux Community Magazine

What is Linux Poker?

"Linux Poker refers to playing online poker games via the computers using Linux operating system."

Can A Linux User Play Poker Online????

Players who have Linux operating systems on their computers have many options to play online poker online. However, here will talk about three of the most popular ways:

1) Find an "Instant Play" or "No Download" Linux Poker Site

2) Install Wine on Your Computers

3) Perform a 'Dual Boot"

How to use these options to play poker on Linux Poker Sites?

Using An Instant Play / Java Applet / Flash Plugin:

You can play poker on your linux machines by installing Java / Flash Plugin on your computers. Now you simply need to click on the "Instant Play" or "No Download" button located on the home page of the poker website and start playing your favorite online poker games instantly. Important Note: Not all the Linux Poker Sites offer the same features and functions like the windows version have.

Installing WINE on Your Linux

You can enjoy playing your favorite poker games by installing "WINE" on their Linux machines. Wine is a free software program which allows Linux users to operate windows based programs on their Linux machines. Important Note: Although WINE is a good option to play pokeron your Linux machine but many players have experienced the sound issues or lack of features. But you don't need to worry, an option of Instant Play / Java Applet / Flash Plugin is always there.

Dual Booting Your Linux Machine

Another option of playing poker on your Linux is to perform a dual boot, through which you operate both windows and Linux on the same operating system, but not at the same time. Important Note: Loss of files is the biggest drawback of dual booting. Hence, we recommend you to take back up of your PC before using this method.

Linux has indeed enjoyed a huge chunk of spotlight as a full fledge open source operating system that has been pretty versatile. The platform has a huge stream of exciting features that provide users with enhanced capabilities.

Gaming has always been a downside for the Linux users, but this recent release of Gaming suite PlayOnLinux is a must to have application suite for all kind of Linux gamers and users. PlayOnLinux basically provides automated installation algorithms and script for a large number of games that are available on the web circle. Moreover Play On Linux also enables the installation of numerous software programs like Googles modeling software SketchUp, Adobe Photoshop and 3D CAD software by Autodesk AUTOCAD. So this means that for all the Linux users who are very much dependent on the Windows Software, this is a software haven.

Previously, it was Wine that was the gateway for the installation of Windows software on machines running on Linux, but the procedure that had to be followed using Wine was pretty hassle full and cumbersome. One of the biggest drawbacks that Wine had was of Windows software programs that worked fine with some of the versions of Wine but others had some compatibility issues, so you cannot go through with having a single version. One more tiring issue that hindered the popularity of Wine was that a large number of software programs require users to first install Internet Explorer or in some cases find out and then install the DLL versions of the files that have to be installed.

So Play On Linux does all this stuff for you and users are very much hassle free when they try to install Windows software programs on their Linux powered computers.How To install Play On Linux on Your computers

The first question about Play On Linux is always, how to install it on your machine? It is suggested that you should probably bypass your complete distros software package altogether as this program needs an instant update in order to function correctly. So first you to go to the download page of Play On Linux and it will guide you through all the downloading stuff and will dish out all the necessary instructions to you. By just following these instructions, you will be ready to get going with the gaming. The downloaded Play on Linux will be in the menu folder under the Games Tab.The UI of Play On Linux

When you fire up the program for the first time, it will give quite a barren and empty look but you should not be worrying because the moment you add-on the things it is gonna swell up. By clicking on the install button in the Toolbar, user can download and browse all the supported software programs that have been made available by the developers of Play On Linux. As mentioned in the beginning that the prime focus is on the gaming realm so the list of titles that is supported includes the likes of Spore, Max Series, Counter Strike and most of the Sam. Users can also browse the repository of Play On Linux to see, if all their favorite titles are supported. So starting off, first users need to install the program that they want to, by double clicking on it. The process will initiate and the good thing is that the process will vary, depending upon the program you are going for; in some instances users will have to point their Play On Linux to their CD Drive but mostly it will search for itself without a glitch.

One thing is guaranteed that users will not to have worry about configuring the software before installing a certain program; Play On Linux will automatically configure the program that needs to be installed on your computer. Whether it is a new version of Wine, a collection of out-dated DLL files or even the Internet Explorer, this amazing software will take care of all.

Well in some cases, there is a probability that a certain game or software does not work at all with the Play On Linux but in this case you can customize some of the settings with Wine. So the bottom line is that you should first go for WineHQ Database and see what you could find about.

Introduction:

First of all sites to be present in the world hosting provider - Affordable quality Linux hosting Linux hosting a network of people to grow the business and hosting solutions. Before choosing a reliable hosting solutions of the company's website, people in some places it seems, but not confused about the hosting market.

Web pages are designed with different software platforms. This can be done using a Windows or Linux platforms as well. How can the web page with a UNIX or Linux operating system platforms, Unix / Linux hosting. There is no significant difference between the two, and we can say that Linux hosting is an updated version of the Linux / UNIX systems.

Choice of web solutions is an important decision. It is therefore important that this is quite strange, it is often overlooked or disregarded. There are two major operating systems Linux and Windows. Now we will discuss about the pros and cons of both operating systems.

What is better Windows or Linux Hosting? Internet is a vast amount of argument over which operating system is the best hosting solutions. Web site hosting server to run the server software, commonly known as the operating system, computer program to run. If you are using a PC, chances are that you are using Windows ME, XP, NT or some other similar computer program. This is your computer's operating system. Servers with web hosting, they also need an operating system, and basically there are two different competing versions.

Windows Hosting:All of the first Windows Microsoft makes most server operating system. This operating system allows true integration with Microsoft products and also allows web sites Active Server Pages. Microsoft's server also allows integration with the SQL database, which is a powerful database . Microsoft server software, the disadvantage is that it costs several thousand dollars for each server. Available: Windows 2000 Server, Advanced Server and Server 2003. Additional software will be additional costs, such as: firewall, remote admin programs, Encrypt ASP, ASP Mail, and many other programs require that your server is ready for production.

Windows hosting would be used if your site is using the Microsoft properties. If you are planning to have a web site that uses a database, you will also want to use Microsoft's hosting. Web sites where you can interact with your visitors or customers, use Windows hosting. Visitors can easily access the database and the online chat service, and so many other interactive features.

With Windows hosting, web sites can use e-commerce functions. If someone has little or no experience in network administration, they should consider Windows hosting. Linux hosting services can be somewhat difficult to manage someone who does not have much experience but a good web hosting solutions. Sites, which are built on Windows servers can be difficult to convert, so that they can be easily used in the Linux server. This may be something that you want to design your web site or between Windows and Linux hosting option.

Linux Hosting:The next version of Linux web hosting solutions hosting is actually the generic name for quality web hosting services in different operating systems. Linux was created by people who have come together co-write most of the Linux community. After a particularly refined and other parts of the program, to complete what they want the end user.

Although Windows hosting platforms are generally reliable, but first of all Linux hosting services have a good reputation and a stable and reliable web hosting solutions. Sites Linux server customers can be assured that their sites are safe. Linux hosting solutions are usually also very effective and reliable. However, Linux hosting is up to the reputation, stable, secure and reliable hosting services. "If your site is like a brochure, which is online, you may want to use Linux web hosting company web site. Stability of the Linux comes with a quality web hosting, the site is very good. Linux hosting is also compatible with the small business web hosting, e-commerce functions.

Many web hosting companies market Linux hosting solutions and may have heard a few: Red Hat, Debian, Slack equipment, etc. The Linux web hosting is a good thing that it is compatible with popular web programming language PHP. He also likes the best web hosting service providers, it usually has a good safety record, and generally average a stable operating system.

Linux software is usually free or inexpensive; APF Firewall, Apache Send e-mail, connect, and many more. We recommend that you use a virus, such as clam-or F-PROT and Mail Scanner. Linux servers are difficult to manage compared to Windows, but your business needs to provide quality web hosting. Everything is done remote shell access (such as DOS, DOS, do not forget!). There is no legal link or click on the buttons - just a great team. While all this console power you have much more control over your actual server compared to Windows.

Linux Hosting Vs Windows Hosting

Linux hosting traces its birth from 'Linux', an open-source computer operating system based upon the concept of free software available to anyone to freely use, improve, modify and even redistribute. Windows hosting, on the other hand, relates to Windows operating system wherein the software is proprietary item of Microsoft.

Since being an open-source operating system, Linux hosting tends to be cheaper than Windows hosting. Besides, Linux hosting is considered as one of the main pillars of the LAMP server-software combination - Linux, Apache, MySQL and Php/Perl/Python. Popularity of Linux hosting among web developers can be judged from the fact that a great many open-source software have been created and are being continuously created for free use among discerning web enthusiasts.

Whether one chooses Linux hosting or Windows hosting will to a great extent depend on what the webmaster proposes to do with his website. Here is a quick rundown of both Linux hosting and Windows hosting.

Linux Hosting

Linux hosting is a good choice if you consider that you have perpetual options of using open-source software for your hosting needs. Linux hosting would mean that the operating system is fully compatible with PHP, which is steadily becoming the most popular programming language.

It is important to remember that Linux is a breeding ground of practicing programmers all over the globe and innumerable applications are being authored, re-written and tested all the time. What this means in simple terms is Linux hosting will always keep the door open to let in fresh air of new discoveries. For an avid user, nothing beats Linux hosting in this aspect.

The other advantage with Linux hosting is that it is cheap. Why? Since most application software are free to install and use, the hosting cost is reduced to only maintenance of servers. Since proprietary software are not installed, many overhead expenses are avoided in case of Linux hosting. This enables hosting providers to pass on the cost-advantage to its customers of Linux hosting.

Here are some examples of popular open-source application software, mostly in PHP, that can be easily used in Linux hosting.

Ecommerce Shopping Cart : OS Commerce, Zen-CartContent Management System : Drupal, PHP-Nuke, MamboBlog : Wordpress, Nucleus CMSPhoto Gallery : 4Images, Coppermine

Windows Hosting

Windows hosting makes use of Microsoft's proprietary Windows software for the host server. In contrast with Linux hosting, Windows hosting allows integration primarily with Microsoft's own products and services. For example, if you plan dynamic web content, you have to use ASP (Active Server Pages) or the advanced ASP.NET as your programming language, both created by Microsoft to be linked to SQL databases.

Interestingly, if you choose MySQL as your database, you may opt for either Linux hosting or Windows hosting, but in case your choice for database is MS Access, your option is only Windows hosting.

Windows hosting has limited support for CGI / Perl, so if your favorite scripts are in Perl, it has to be Linux hosting for you. On the other hand, good news for FrontPage users is that though it is essentially a proprietary Microsoft-owned software application, many Linux hosting do support FrontPage extensions.

There is an argument that the user interface for Windows hosting is much simpler between the two. However, of late Linux hosting too has improved on this score.

Coming to cost analysis, Windows hosting is costly not only because of proprietary software, but also due to the fact that Windows servers as such are costly, compared to servers used for Linux hosting.

Summing Up

Glossing over, what emerges is that it is the purpose of your website and its future plan that are the determining factors between choosing Linux hosting and Windows hosting. To be sure, all serious hosting providers will, in varying combination, offer a choice of both Windows hosting and Linux hosting.

Many people, especially newcomers, when they register their domain names, are convinced to sign up for a hosting account with the company that registered their domain name. That could be godaddy.com, yahoo.com or any number of other domain name registering companies. That's really unfortunate, because the hosting services those people usually get don't generally meet the requirements of an online entreprenuer. Those hosting accounts just lack the functionality that you really need to promote your business.

Here's what happens - the domain name registering companies will make you an offer of a low level hosting plan. Since the customers that are registering the domain names are usually beginners, they aren't aware of all the hosting choices that are readily available elsewhere. They think that just because the company they're dealing with can register domain names, they must have the best hosting too.

To make a long story short, people that buy into the hosting that's offered when they register their domains are usually disappointed once they get started with their new online business. Although they got what seemed like a low price, they'll find out later, when they compare it to other offers, that it really wasn't such a good deal.

But that's only part of the problem. As they become more and more involved in running their new online business, they discover that there may be some special software that they want to run on their website. Perhaps it's a shopping cart or maybe a content management system. When they look at the requirements of the software and compare those requirements to their hosting account, they'll see that their hosting account won't support the new software. You see, most marketing related software will use PHP or mySQL databases. If your web hosting account doesn't support PHP and mySQL, you're just out of luck.

Of course, these customers can go back to their hosting provider, who will explain to them that the features required for support of the new software are available to them, but they'll have to 'upgrade' their hosting account. And the upgrade isn't free, by the way. Their original hosting may have cost only $7.95 a month, but the new, upgraded hosting will cost them $25 or $30 a month. Now, all of the sudden, that great hosting deal doesn't seem so great anymore.

Don't waste your time and money with 'bargain' web hosting that won't do the job.

Another mistake is trying to run your business with free hosting. First of all, if you're looking for free web hosting because you're not willing to spend a small amount of money for your own web hosting account, you might as well just give up right now. If you want to do everything for free, you're not looking for a real business, you're looking for a hobby.

Usually, when you go with free hosting, your website URL will end up being something like "/18987/~parkavenue/1793" If your only interest is in having a place on the web to display your family photos, maybe the free hosting is right for you. But if you're trying to run a business, the free hosting can be a big handicap. For one thing, the URL doesn't look very professional.

And the free hosting companies tend to display their own advertising banners on the pages of your website. How does that look to your potential customers? Just imagine that if you're trying to operate a family oriented business and when prospects visit your website, banners advertising "Adult Chat Rooms" are on your pages.

Types of web hosting - Primarily, there are 2 different types of web hosting. One is Microsoft Windows based and the other is Linux/Unix based. My personal recommendation is to stay away from the Windows based hosting. I've had friends that went with Windows hosting, and then later found out that much of the software they wanted to run wasn't compatible with the Windows server. Most all web based software that is used for marketing purposes is designed to run on Linux servers, so I wouldn't recommend anything other than Linux based hosting.

Now that we've established the need for Linux based hosting and that you shouldn't get hosting from the same place you registered your domain, the question is - Where do you get hosting?

I'm going to let you in on a little secret - all those banner ads and email messages you probably see pitching hosting deals - IGNORE THEM. The absolute best hosting I've seen is available at dirt cheap prices on Ebay. Yes, Ebay, the online auction.

Just go to and search for "web hosting reseller" By getting a reseller's hosting account, you'll get all the hosting you'll ever need. Here's how it works - A reseller's hosting account gives you the ability to sell hosting accounts to other people. One of the benefits of a reseller account is that you can usually host an unlimited number of domains.

Right now you may be thinking this isn't for you because you're not interested in selling hosting to other people. You just want hosting for your own business. That's OK, you don't need to sell hosting with the reseller's account. You can just use it for yourself. You can use it to host the new domain that you recently registered and then, later on, if you register more domain names, you can host those also - without paying any more money for hosting.

I bought a hosting reseller's account on Ebay about 3 years ago. It's full featured, reliable, and the service and support is great. I pay $139 a year and I currently have about 95 domains hosted. Do the math - that works out to a little over a dollar per year for hosting that has everything I need. I think that's a pretty good deal.

If you don't want to get a reseller's account, you can get by even cheaper. I have another hosting account I bought at Ebay that only hosts a single domain, but it only costs 75 cents a month. This 75 cent account supports PHP, mySQL, has unlimited space and bandwidth, unlimited email accounts and just about everything else you could think of.

I strongly recommend that you check out the hosting offers on Ebay before you make any other commitments. Here are the features you want to make sure your hosting has -

1) Linux based web server2) CPANEL admin control. This is the web based admin where you can check traffic stats, setup mySQL databases, setup email accounts and a whole lot more3) Fantastico - This is an installation aid that's really handy to have. It allows you to automatically install several high powered software applications with just a single mouse click. Want a WordPress blog? Click and you have it, ready to roll. Want an online forum - same deal, click and it's there. Catalog and shopping cart - You guessed it, click and you'll have it.

It goes without saying that you should check the seller's feedback on Ebay before you make any commitment. See what other customers have to say about the service. You want to make sure you're dealing with someone that's reputable.