finding host with php GD lib, sockets permission and whatever else?

Hi all,
I'm just starting out on trying to put up a web site but am having problems finding the right host.
There seem to be so many features ( or lack of them ) to consider.
One of the main ones I wanted was to be able to let my users search from my site and display an ordered list of the results - ON MY SITE rather than them having left to another page such as yahoo etc.
There are lots of commercial and open source scripts to do this in perl, php etc. but my present host will not let me run them as they do not allow something called 'sockets permission'.
Do I always need this and if so does anyone know a reasonably priced host that will provide these permissions along with such things as php ( including GD library ), mysql and whatever else is essential to running a good web site?
Any advice appreciated.
cheers
Ally

I have had good experiences with phpwebhosting.com . I don't know if they allow socket permissions, but I suspect they do. there's a contact form on the front page of their site you can ask them.

-wg <><

Hi WebGremlin,
Thanks for the recommendation. They look like a good company and I have emailed them to ask about socket permissions.
cheers
ally

I'm pretty sure we allow socket connections,
if you want to test your script, we can setup a trial account.

http://www.webhostingconsortium.net

well there's URL
supports internet sockets, as well as bunch of other libs:
PDF, GD, freetype fonts, mysql, mcrypt, gdbm, shm sessions, curl, imap/pop3, SNMP, etc.
with latest stable php. phpinfo() page available:
URL

I've been a bit distracted lately but I will check out your services - I hope to be signing up with someone in the next few weeks. So long as your service let me run scripts such as those offered by
URL
URL
URL
and the many other similar companies
If you think that scripts such as these can't be run please let me know.
Oh and webgremlin, thanks very much but phpwebhosting seem a great host but they do not allow sockets permission. I might well use them for another project though
cheers
Ally