straight forward, for most anyway. Other less computer-savvy users can
find the constant influx of promotions, tempting bonus offers, banking
methods and e-mails a quite daunting experience. Does the average
internet user know what JAVA is? A Flash Download?
this describes you then you are reading the correct article. Below are
the answers you need before you click on that 'sign up and download'
button.
Necessary Hardware
have an active internet connection and a computer which has the
required hardware.
you bought your computer within the last five years, the chances are
that
it is already set up with the necessary hardware to gamble
online. If you don't have Internet access yet, then I would wait
till you get it otherwise you will be entering secure information on a
computer which is not your own when you gamble online. While you don't
need to have the latest system in order to gamble online, your system
should at
least meet the following minimum requirements:
128 MB of RAM (Random Access Memory)
Necessary Software
Windows Operating System and although it is possible to find software
for Apple Computers, they are few and far between. (888.com's Mac site).
software is free, don't let anyone tell you any differently. If you are
on one of their legitimate sites (always check the title bar and if you
are suspicious email them first before downloading their software)
Sites that offer
casino gaming may also require players to download their own casino
software package in order to play the games. I say "may require"
because there are several different casino software platforms, some of
which allow gamblers to avoid the download process and play right
through the browser. (See below). If you should settle on a site that
requires the download, don't panic. They walk you through the process
step by step and make it about as painless as possible.
This
software is also free, as the casino's goal isn't to sell you a couple
of bucks worth of gaming software, but to get you through the door
where they have a shot at getting some real money. With that in mind,
always be wary of sites that ask you to pay for their software
download, as that's usually the first sign of a scam in progress. Also,
don't be fooled by enterprising young hooligans who peddle their casino
software CDs on auction sites like eBay. Anyone can get those same CDs
just by requesting them from the casino. They're free!
Software Platforms
We
briefly touched on the subject of software platforms in the previous
section, but now it's time to get down to the nitty-gritty of the
casino software choices: platforms.
Just as
there are different types of sites and different types of games, so too
are different types of software platforms, that is, methods by which a
player can access the data and play the games. Currently, there are
three major types: downloadable, JAVA-based, and Flash.
Download Platforms
The
original form of gambling software, downloadable gaming platforms
required the would-be gambler to visit the site and download the entire
software package from the casino's server onto their own computer.
These original packages were often bulky, typically running as high as
15 MB, as they contained all of the data required to play each game in
the casino. These files were so cumbersome, that it often took almost
an hour for the entire package to download!
As
the industry progressed, however, this form of software package
installation has become more streamlined, allowing players to download
only the basic casino components with additional optional downloads
possible later.
For example, now a player can
quickly load the casino's basic software package - usually only about 4
MB - which consists of the general casino images (entrance, tables,
etc.,) and only a few basic games like blackjack, slots and a video
poker machine or two. Once this casino shell is downloaded, players can
then log on to the site and start gambling. If they want to install
additional games later, they simply select which ones they want and
download them individually by clicking on a link from the original
software package.
software is especially important for the "larger" sites that have over
100 games, as it allows players to selectively add games and avoid
wasting the tremendous amount of time it would take to install so many
unnecessary files.
JAVA Platforms
The
next generation of online gambling followed with an even easier way for
players to access the gaming tables: JAVA-based software. With JAVA
gaming, players no longer needed to download the site's software onto
their system - they could simply visit the site, register and start
playing right through their own browser. This new feature
revolutionized online gambling, allowing players the easily jump from
site to site, without having to waste time and memory space by
incorporating the software onto their own system.
not to say that JAVA doesn't have its limitations. One major drawback
to this type of software feature is the quality of the graphics. Since
the games are played directly from the site's server, rather than from
information stored on the user's system, the visual appeal is sometimes
mildly diminished. In some poor quality sites, in fact, the games often
look more akin to an arcade game from the 80's than a high-tech digital
program of the 21st century.
Flash Platforms
The
latest innovation in online gambling software, Flash technology allows
gamblers to again start playing without the need for the lengthy
software downloads. However, while JAVA software sometimes has
graphical limitations, Flash uses streaming technology to create a very
realistic, smooth-flowing gambling experience. The only real drawback
to the player who uses this platform is the need to download the Flash
plug-ins - the software necessary to run the program. While this may
seem to be just as inefficient as the original download platforms, the
plug-ins typically take less time to incorporate, are provided directly
from the site and need only be installed once.
Obviously,
it is up to the individual to decide which format best suits their
needs. Thankfully, many casinos are now offering all three options to
players, allowing them to decide for themselves which to use. Some
players prefer JAVA or Flash formats because they provide for greater
flexibility when site hopping - requiring little or nothing to
download. Other players prefer the stability of downloading the entire
software package onto their system because they feel more in control of
the gaming, get better graphics, and trust the site. In addition, by
downloading a site's software, players are more likely to return to
that site, which helps to earn more comp points.
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