Using Metatrader with Ubuntu

Preface - Ubuntu Installation Guide for Metatrader Users
Just some tips to using Ubuntu. I hope I'm in the right section otherwise moderators feel free to move me, however, I didn't see anywhere else suitable so here we go.

The reason I use Ubuntu is because of it's versatility, free programs, and not having to worry about those "dirty Windows Viruses" that always seem to find a back-door because of the faulty file structure of windows.

You can upgrade your motherboard and just switch hard-drives without having to worry about Microsoft's copyrights that limit you to one copy per computer; you will still have to back up your files (at least it's wiser too). Ubuntu is an open-source operating system, which means, you can switch from computer-to-computer without violating corporate copyrights.

Many people give up very easily when they find that it isn't as "user friendly" as Microsoft and although people told them they could use Microsoft programs by simply installing wine there were other issues so they revert to being a slave to Microsoft's "user-friendliness" which also come with a price in the manor of viruses, security issues, and less portable (ie being restricted to one computer per Windows issue).

Also different versions of Ubuntu have different looks. I personally use 10.04 because it has very nice task bar which makes you think your using windows.

There are often ways to do just exactly what Microsoft Windows does but it is sometimes more complicated and for that reason I've created this thread to help other traders with the conversion or if they so wish to "dual boot" Ubuntu with Windows before they completely switch - in case they don't like it or they just can't get through the learning curve.

Fortunately, browsing the web will be pretty much the same (especially if you use Firefox and I'll show you how I tweak Firefox for improved web experience. These tweaks also are said to improve security.

Stand-bye for further post I have to manage trades / do technical analysis and I'll be back. You might ask why I do this? Just to help other traders - No other reason.. By helping others I also help myself learn and prosper. This is free with no catch. Although I'm a trader (unlike many others) I believe in doing things for the greater good. I have a philosophy of a futurist that includes living in a money-less society. Unfortunately, we don't live in such a society so I still do what I have to do to survive in a tough business world. Ubuntu is just one step in the right direction for us to advance and improve the human condition.

Step 1 Download Ubuntu 10.04 and burn it to a memory stick.
(1st you must determine if you have a 32bit computer or 64bit.)

How To Determine if Your Computer Is 32-Bit or 64-Bit


Now read the instructions from link below and burn Ubuntu on your stick which is preferable empty and must have the required memory.
Ubuntu 10.04.4 LTS (Lucid Lynx)

**if you are a 32bit you will click to download the top link (x86) and for 64bit you will click to download the link below (64bit).

I used the top link for both a laptop and desktop PC's. After you burn the stick you will restart your CD with the stick in a USB port. You can also burn to a CD-ROM writable disk as well but I'm just using the stick example because it's more sensible and not susceptible to scratches or being easily damaged.

Considerations before moving forward:

Now that you have burned this to a stick/disk you will always have a backup operating system that is out of the confines of Microsoft and it's limitations.

You still can turn back before making any changes at this point and it's recommended that you back up important files just in case. Also make a new restore point in Windows just in case especially if your intent is to keep Windows side-by-side or just to try out Ubuntu.

Personally, I tried all this out on a spare computer (you don't have to) but I've decided to get rid of Windows entirely because I don't like Microsoft and don't want to be a slave to them.

To install Ubuntu:

1. restart your computer with you memory stick in a USB port.

2. if you did this correctly when you restart your computer you will see this:
http://pricklytech.files.wordpress.c...tu-boot-01.png

At this point you haven't deleted windows and it's just showing you Ubuntu is ready to be installed. If you don't see this you might have to reboot your computer and get into the boot options to change the boot priority to have it boot by USB first. I will show you the Dual Boot method first and then we'll move on to setting up Ubuntu to fluidly run Metatrader platform. If you have any questions let it rip!

Ubuntu Dual-Boot Set Up:
1. Next click the icon (the little Ubuntu man / keyboard icon) to continue with the install.
(it's good to have a 2nd computer while doing this to look stuff up or take notes 1st)

2. Also read this section before proceeding:
Ubuntu 10.04 LTS Installation Guide

3. Mostly it is just setting the clock and timezone. Fill in those sections (1-3) without fear and proceed to the crucial Step 4.

4. You will chose to install Ubuntu along side Windows as shown below:
http://cdn2.techie-buzz.com/images/p...-Install-3.jpg

That is the key choice you will make. that way you can still use Windows if worst comes to worse and you say hell with it I can't change lol but chances are you will enjoy it unless you're really pampered by the look and feel of Windows.

**Warning don't chose the bottom option "Specify Partitions Manually" is for advanced users and if you chose the middle option "Erase and use entire disk" you will erase Windows completely. Step 4 is the key step to installing Ubuntu as a dual-boot machine.

After you finish making the final selections you will it will take sometime to install the system. When it is finished you can restart the system and chose between Windows or Ubuntu. The option will automatically select Ubuntu if you don't select - and don't worry you can change that as well.
Just make sure you have the required space and make the right selection in "Step 4" and you'll be good to go / on your way to experiencing Microsoft independence.

Any questions?

Restart Computer in Ubuntu and Installing Wine:
1. Next you will let Ubuntu finish install. I don't remember how long it takes exactly but it will take awhile. Once it's done you will have an option to restart the system.

2. (After you restart the system in Ubuntu) To install Wine.... Click Applications / Ubuntu Software Center. search for "Wine" in the Ubuntu Software Center.

**right click on the Software Center (under Applications) and there's an option to "Add this launcher to panel" because you will use this quite often to get software. From now on you won't have to search for this application and it will be listed as an Icon with a bag in the top of the screen.

From your search you will see "Wine Microsoft Windows Compatibility Layer". Click Install. there's also a beta release - I have both installed without conflicts (perhaps this is bad advice but I've had no problems so if you want install both).

Once completed you will be on your way to installing Metatrader 4.0 or 5.0. But we are not finished there are other steps.

Wine Tricks!! Installing through terminal window:

Your next step is to install Wine Tricks to supplement Wine. However, it is not available through the software center. So you will follow this link (if link expires google "wine tricks" for ubuntu 10.04 or what ever version you are using and follow the most applicable link.

read this

I did this by entering these 3 lines in the terminal but 1st open the terminal and don't forget to right click and add it to the panel because you will use it from time to time.
*Click Applications (top left corner) / Accessories / Terminal (right click on it and add it to panel).

Your should see an application like this after you start it:
http://beginlinux.com/images/desktop...nal-window.gif
The terminal will have have the name of your computer/user name. After the $ you will put in the instructions and press enter. In this case we will put in 3 lines of instructions to install winetricks - just copy and paste these after the $
1.
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntu-wine/ppa

let it install - you will be asked for your password. when finished procede to step 2:
2.
sudo apt-get updatepress enter, let it install, and proceed to step 3.
3
sudo apt-get install winetricks
let it install. you now should have went through 3 steps - watch closely that it is being installed properly and you didn't get a message that there was an error or directory not found. You should now have wintricks installed if you followed correctly.

we still aren't finished.

Required Fonts:
In order for Metatrader to display properly you need to have the supporting fonts. You will now install the key font used in Mt4 / Mt5 called "Webdings". There are 2 ways to do this. You can copy it from your windows on your memory stick and go click on the font while in Ubuntu and it will install the font. Or you can download it by searching for "webdings font" on google. Getting it from your Windows system might be safer but either way will suffice.

To recap.. I downloaded Webdings font from a safe website (or copy from Windows) and click "Install Font". After you click on it the font will be quickly installed. It will say "installed" if you did it correctly. It is critical you have this font Metatrader to work.

Checklist to getting Metatrader to work:

1. Install Wine.
2. Install Winetricks.
3. Install Webdings font.
----------------------------------------
1. Now you can download your platform and install Metatrader with Wine. Download your terminal through your broker or demo as you normally would.

2. "right click" on the downloaded installer. example: "MT4-US.exe". Select "Properties" / "Permissions". now select "Allow executing file as program".

3. Now click x at the top left to close the properties and "right click" on the downloaded installer again and choose to run as a wine application "open with wine windows program loader" and you will install your terminal as you normally would under windows.

the steps are pictured below.

Any questions?

Congratulations!
If you followed these instructions properly you should be able to run any metatrader terminal in Ubuntu with little or no issues.

The next step is installing custom indicators.

For that you will have to be able to find the installed directory which is usually either the "Program Files" folder or "drive c" folder. You will need to find those directories and make links to them. Most Metatrader installations are in the "Program Files" folder from my experiences but I have one that is at a higher layer "drive c" folder. It's not as easy to get to these folders as in Windows but once you make links it's a snap.

For now I have to go but I will follow up tomorrow or the weekend.

Finding the Programs Files Folder to add custom idicators. Installing Metatrader isn't very useful if you can't add custom indicators. So you will now add custom indicators.

1. Click "Places" from the top left of the screen and open "Home Folder".
2. Click "File System" in the left menu.
3. Click "Edit" from the current window in the top left and open "Preferences". Check "Show hidden and backup files".
4. Click the Search Icon at the top right of the Screen and in the Search Window type "Program Files". A search will begin. (see image 1 below)
5. Once the search is complete you will find a folder called "Program Files".
6. Right click "Program Files" folder that you searched for and select "Properties". You will need the location - either it down or just move the window over and right-click on an empty area of the desktop and choose "Create Launcher". Select "location" under type by default this will say "application" but we want location. Now type "C drive" for name. Type the location address exactly that you searched for and click "OK" when finished. (see image 3)

**Now you will have a link on your desktop to the location of Metatrader installations. They will either be at the top level of the C drive or in the Program Files folder and you will be able to easily access them now by opening your desktop shortcut. Now you don't have to be a slave to Microsoft but still use applications that were designed for Microsoft. Hopefully in the future they will make these applications more Ubuntu friendly. For now we still have a way, a free way, that is better than Microsoft in my opinion.

7. Now open your desktop shortcut, find your terminal, and install your indicators as you normally would in the indicators folder. (see image 2)

What a state of irony one has to be in all the time to wish to live in a money less world as a professional trader. Guess you're not alone pal. Thanks for the write up. Great help.

Regards, Mc

Ubuntu 12.04 64bit.

Wine emulator needs installation, wine tricks pre-installed.
In the Win xp pro, I had installed MT4 on different partition, not on 'C' drive.

After update ubuntu and install Wine, restart.

Mounted drive, created shortcut, started MT4 exe with right click option of wine emulator. MT4 started well but could not see previous templates and custom indicators which while working on XP. Started editor, compiled a file, still no custom indicators. Restarted MT4. All good now.

AT : 'Create launcher' did not happen as shown in pic 3. Just Shortcut link of PF folder on desktop. Wondering what's missed !
More in next.

Hi,

I have an ubuntu server with 512mb. Now I tried to run my metatrader account there.
But it allways restarts because my ram is to less. Is there a possibility / option to configure my mt4 that it uses less ram?

Thank you

Hi,

I have my setup working, but i am not getting the smiley face. Any ides?
Ron

Hi,
Where should my winetricks and webdings fonts be located if I installed those right?

Hi England33

For some reason templates don load or save on my ubuntu?
Have wine winetricks set up webdings etc.
can figure it out!!!!

any ideas?

Hi,
Don't forget you make a fictious c drive first.
Ron

Hello guys,

This thread is pretty old. Lately I have been trying things on Ubuntu and fall in love with linux. Just wondering if there are still any of your guys are here to share your experience. I ran into some little problems and hope some one here can help. I am very new to linux.

Thanks

Hello guys,

I realized that MT4 has a problem running through wine. It happens when you have multiple pair windows open in certan order at the bottom of the scree. Every time you run MT4, the order will be messed up.

Not sure if any of you have the same problem as I do. Pleaset let me know if you have any idea to fix this.

Thanks