Tech

Bottles: A Guide to Installing and Running Windows Programs on Linux

Published

1 year ago

July 10, 2022

Bottles provides a user-friendly graphical user interface for running Windows binaries and applications on Linux. Wine is the underlying technology.

So, just what is Bottles?
Bottles is a free and open-source program that greatly simplifies and improves the administration of Wine prefixes. To allow Windows-based programs to run on Linux, the Wine prefix mimics the Windows C drive and contains all the required files. Wine prefixes, however, need some improvements. As a result, Bottles was created to offer Wine prefixes via a graphical user interface.

Simply put, this program mimics the behavior of the C drive in Linux, thereby emulating a Windows environment in which a variety of programs can be run. In addition, it has customization features that can be used to adjust the OS to better suit the needs of any given application.

Each time an application dependency is added, Bottles creates a brand new state with the default configuration. This makes it simple to execute BAT, MSI, and EXE files on Linux thanks to Bottles’ ability to tailor the operating system to the needs of the programs.

Although the current release of Bottles is the third iteration, users are welcome to stick with earlier versions if they prefer. The second edition, however, has been put on hold because of internal problems.

Features
Make bottles that represent different settings (a set of rules and dependencies)
An adaptable setting in which to conduct any number of tests
Installers that run on their own automatically
Using the file manager’s context menu, launch each executable file (.exe,.msi,.bat) in your bottles.
Management and storage of arguments passed to executables
Ability to set individual environment variables
Overrides to DLLs are simplified.
To be able to install and switch between different versions of wine, proton, and dxvk as needed on the fly, and to manage their installation and configuration,
Improvements in gaming speed and responsiveness thanks to a number of tweaks (esync, fsync, dxvk, cache, shader compiler, offload … and much more.)
Make adjustments to the wine prefixes in your account without leaving the site. Bottles
Installing dxvk modules automatically
Update checking and automatic bottle repair system for runners.
Comprehensive Installer for All Required Components; Ensures Compatibility Via Use of a User-Generated Repository
Recognizing pre-existing software
Organizational tool for managing winemaking processes
Quick and simple connection to support resources like ProtonDB and WineHQ
Modular configuration management for all Bottles releases
Backup and import bottles from previous versions and other managers (Lutris, POL, ..)
Infusing new versions into bottles

How to Setup and Use Bottles on Linux?

To install Bottles in Ubuntu, we will first need to install Flatpak.

For those who have already installed Flatpak, you can install Bottles with the following command:

sudo flatpak install flathub com.usebottles.bottles

You can launch Bottles from the Applications menu after installation by entering “Bottles” inthe search bar.

To start configuring Bottles, click on the arrow icon.

Now that everything is ready, let’s install WinRAR, which is not available for Linux but is for Windows. First, go to the WinRAR website and download the most recent version.

Click the plus sign (+) or the Create a new Bottle button in the Bottles section and type the name you want to use.

Since we are installing the Windows program WinRAR, choose Application from the Environment list and click the Create button. You can choose from a list of different environments:

Gaming: Makes a bottle that is focused on gaming and has many tweaks to help games run smoothly.
Application: Makes changes to the bottle so it can run different Windows desktop programs
Custom: Makes a custom bottle without making any specific changes (it helps a user experiment with the settings)

When it’s done, the system will start setting up the configurations that the Windows app needs.

Now, the new bottle will show up in the main interface for Bottles. You can open the WinRAR bottle by clicking on it twice.

Here, you can change the Settings, Preferences, and Installer options to fit your needs.

Click the Run Executable button and then choose the WinRAR EXE file.

When you choose the WinRAR setup file, a new window will open where you can install the program.

Lastly, you can use Linux to access WinRAR to extract any archive file, including RAR and ZIP files.

As you can see, Bottles made a Windows environment for installing WinRAR by using the Wine prefix.

Bottles with more options
In the Installers option, you can add different programs to change the bottle for any app. It works like the Installer option in ProtonDB and shows ratings for programs based on how well they work with the system. For example, a Platinum rating means it works well with the system, while a Bronze rating means it doesn’t work as well.

Let’s put EA Launcher on our computer because it’s rated Platinum. To get it, click on the Download icon.

Under Dependencies, you can download codecs and libraries that make Windows programs work better together. The list tells you what dependencies you need and what they are, so you can install them correctly.

With Bottles, you can run any Windows app on Linux.
There are always reasons why many Windows apps don’t work with Linux. Many Linux users look for alternatives to Wine so they can run Windows executables on Linux. If you’re one of them, Bottles is exactly what you need. It’s a layer of compatibility that lets you run any Windows program on Linux. Based on the Wine prefix, Bottles has advanced options and a graphic environment that is easy to use.

You can install any Windows program as long as you change its settings before making the program and installing it. If you don’t, it might not work right on your system and you might get errors, bugs, crashes, etc.

Flatpak is a packaging format that works on almost every Linux-based operating system, so you can use it to install Bottles on any distribution. Also, if you have any problems installing Bottles on Linux, you can use AppImages instead.

Tech

SQL Server 2012 analysis management objects download

Published

6 months ago

April 17, 2023

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The Analysis Management Objects (AMO) for SQL Server 2012 can be acquired through the Microsoft Download Center.

If you go to the Microsoft Download Center website and search for “SQL Server 2012 Analysis Management Objects,” you will be taken to the page where you can locate the link to download SQL Server 2012 AMO. As soon as you locate the suitable download link, you will be able to start downloading the software and installing it on your computer.

Note: Before installing AMO, check that your computer fulfills the minimal requirements for the software, which include the specifications for the operating system and the hardware.

Supported Operating System Windows Server 2016, Windows 10, Windows 7 Service Pack 1, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1

Note: System requirements may vary among the install packages included in the Feature Pack.
Note: When an MSI package is redistributed it must not be renamed, otherwise you may see failures if updates are installed for that package.

In addition, it is strongly suggested that you visit the support website for AMO which is hosted by Microsoft for any updates, patches, or fixes that may be available there. This will guarantee that you are utilizing the most recent and safest version of the software that is currently available.

Link to download from Microsoft Website

Tech

How to download videos from Youtube?

Published

8 months ago

February 19, 2023

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There are a few different approaches you can use in the process of downloading YouTube videos onto your iPhone. You can choose between the following approaches:

Video Downloading app

Download a video downloading app from the App Store, such as “Documents by Readdle” or “Video Download & Player.”
Launch the YouTube app on your iPhone, then search for the video you wish to save to your device.
Click the “Share” button that is located directly below the video.
The “copy link” option can be found under the share menu.
Start the program you just installed to download videos and choose the browser icon from the menu.
After you have pasted the link to the YouTube video that you copied into the address field, click the “Go” button.
After the video has completely loaded, you should see an icon or button that allows you to download it. Simply tap on it, and then select the video quality and container format of your choice.
The video will begin downloading, and you can locate it either in the “Downloads” section of the app or in the “Photos” app that comes preinstalled on your iPhone.

Second approach Via Website

With the Safari web browser on your iPhone, navigate to a website that allows you to download videos from YouTube, such as “y2mate.com” or “savefrom.net.”
Launch the YouTube app and search for the video you wish to save to your device.
Click the “Share” button that is located directly below the video.
The “copy link” option can be found under the share menu.
Return to the Safari browser, copy the link to the YouTube video, and then paste it into the text field provided on the download page.
Click the “download” option, then choose the video quality and format that best suit your needs.
The video will begin downloading, and after it is finished, you may locate it in the “Downloads” folder of the Safari web browser or in the “Photos” app that comes preinstalled on your iPhone.

Caution: Downloading videos from YouTube can be in violation of YouTube’s terms of service and any videos that are downloaded should only be used for personal reasons and not commercials.

Tech

What is Cloud Computing?

Published

8 months ago

February 12, 2023

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The advent of cloud computing is widely regarded as one of the most important and game-changing developments in information technology to occur in the 21st century. It provides a platform that is versatile and scalable, meeting the requirements for computation and storage in a way that has transformed the way in which consumers and companies store data and access applications. In this piece, we will discuss what cloud computing is, its benefits, the various kinds of cloud computing services, and the important participants in the market for cloud computing.

What exactly is “computing in the cloud”?

The term “cloud computing” refers to a type of technology that, as opposed to storing, accessing, and processing data and programs on local servers or personal computers, it does so through the usage of the Internet. The transmission of computing services over the Internet is referred to as “the cloud.” This model gives users the ability to access and make use of the services whenever they want to. The use of cloud computing removes the requirement for businesses and individuals to purchase and maintain their own hardware and software infrastructure, which may be a time- and money-consuming process. Users can instead access these resources through the internet using any device that has an internet connection.

Advantages of utilizing cloud computing

The use of cloud computing has a number of advantages over more conventional computer models. The following are some of the most important advantages:

Scalability is a feature of cloud computing that enables businesses and people to adjust the number of computer resources they use based on their current requirements without having to purchase more hardware or software. This is especially helpful for businesses that encounter shifts in demand for the computing resources they possess.

The elimination of the need to make investments in and perform maintenance on a company’s hardware and software infrastructure is one of the primary drivers behind the huge cost reductions that may be provided by cloud computing to businesses and people. Additionally, cloud computing enables customers to only pay for the computing resources that they use, which might be a more cost-effective alternative to owning and maintaining specialized gear and software.

Accessibility: Users of cloud computing are able to access their data and applications from any device that has an internet connection. This accessibility makes it simpler for individuals and companies to operate from any location at any time.

Recovery from Disaster Cloud computing features built-in disaster recovery capabilities, enabling businesses and people to safeguard their data and apps in the case of a catastrophic event such as a natural or man-made catastrophe.

Security: Cloud computing providers make significant investments in the implementation of security measures to protect the data and applications of their customers. These providers are in a better position to implement security best practices than a great number of individual organizations and people.

Different Categories of Cloud-Based Service Types

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service are the three main categories that can be used to describe cloud computing services in a general sense (SaaS).

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) is a model that makes it possible to access virtualized computing resources including virtual machines (VMs), storage, and networking through the use of the internet. By utilizing Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), businesses and individuals are able to rent computing capabilities on an as-needed basis without having to make an initial investment in and ongoing maintenance of their own hardware.

Providers of “Platform as a Service” (PaaS) is an abbreviation for the platform as a service, and it refers to a service that offers a development platform for building, deploying, and managing applications and services. PaaS gives businesses and individuals access to the tools and resources necessary to build and deploy their own applications and services without requiring them to invest in and maintain their own hardware and software infrastructure. This frees up both time and money for application and service development.

Software as a Service, sometimes known as SaaS, is a model that delivers software to end users via the internet, typically in exchange for a recurring fee. Email, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, and office productivity software are all types of programs that fall under the category of software as a service.

Principal Participants in the Cloud Computing Industry

The market for cloud computing is comprised of a number of important firms, some of which include Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud.

A renowned provider of cloud computing services, Amazon Web Services (AWS) offers a comprehensive range of infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and software as a service (SaaS) options.

However, enterprises need to be aware of the issues that come along with using cloud computing because these challenges are linked with cloud computing. When data of a sensitive kind is kept in the cloud, one of the most significant issues is ensuring that the data is secure. This necessitates the establishment of comprehensive data management policies and practices within businesses, as well as comprehensive data security measures to guard against the occurrence of data breaches.

Another obstacle is making sure that the cloud computing services that a corporation relies on are dependable and can be used whenever they are required. This necessitates the implementation of backup strategies within businesses, such as disaster recovery plans, to ensure that mission-critical apps and data can be accessed even in the event that the core cloud computing infrastructure is unavailable.

In conclusion, it is essential for businesses to have a thorough understanding of the costs that are connected with cloud computing, as well as the potential influence that these expenditures may have on their entire budget for information technology. There is a possibility that using cloud computing services will be less expensive than using traditional computing methods; however, businesses still need to be aware of the costs associated with data storage and security.