vurtual machine

[wmacquinn]

What is a good virtual machine software to use? I am starting to play with different versions of linux and want to try them before I install. I know microsoft wants like $180 for theirs. Any suggestions would be great, freeware is even better.

[seedubya]

VMWare Player is free which is great just so long as there are images available of the distro you want to try. Mind you most do have images available somewhere.

[ithinkyou5.0]

i use VMware it works great for me and im pretty sure its compatible with the windows one also its free :D
http://www.vmware.com/products/product_index.html

[abe]

hi all

microsoft virtual pc is free
(dosn't support usb)

virtual box is free
(dosn't support lpt ports)

vmware "player" is free

many linux distros can be burned to cd and used live, which is better then virtual, since some vm's don't allow 64bit to run on them.

if installing on virtual pc (M$) you must change some video settings when you install many of the linux distro's with virtual box (sun microsys) linux installs easily.

abe

[yamaharacer]

yeah just run the live cd of linux. it will even install from that same cd if you want. linux doesn't overwrite windows. it will make it's own partition and you can select which os to start when the computer starts.

[wmacquinn]

I've tried running it live and it's just so slow. I was hoping install with vm would speed it up a little so I can get more familiar with it. Trying to get it to do what others on videos have been able to do.

[14049752]

You guys know that VMWare server is free now, right? It has a ton more features than the player.

[doortodoorgeek]

easy answer, for business use vmware (i would use vmware server), for home use i use virtualbox