Virtualization

Well I wanted to try virtualization because I thought it would be a good way to get some of the features that I have to boot into Windows for.  Right now that is pretty much only to use Firefox in Windows because ABC doesn't allow their player to work for Linux.  (I gave them feedback on this but it is apparently something that doesn't even warrant a response).  Of course that wouldn't be a problem if my wife and I could just catch Grey's Anatomy when it is on.  We tend to not be around or thinking of it though on Friday nights at 7pm (central).

Besides that I would like to have a way to use Libronix in linux.  Libronix is a digital library system for a lot of theological works.  Yes, of course I've already looked for alternatives, and yes, I already have gnome-sword.  After reading a review of four virtualization options here I opted to try out VirtualBox.  I liked the fact that it had a smaller overall footprint (on hard drive and RAM) than the other options and was simple to use as well.  As I am writing this I am in the middle of installing OpenSuse 10.3 to a virtual machine.  Simply because at this point I don't have my XP installation CD handy.  Once that happens I hope to get Libronix running, and then perhaps the software for my digital voice recorder (I had used it before to record classes).  The other programs would probably just be Adobe Reader (I know I can read and even create PDF's in Linux, but there are some forms that just don't work) and Formatta Filler, which is often used to fill out special PDF's that the ELCA uses.  Since I can already run Oblivion through WINE without many issues, there really isn't much incentive for me to ever boot directly into Windows again.  I'm hoping to get it all to work and then I'll just make a partition for Ubuntu. (I may put on a different distro just for back-up lest my tinkering get me too far into trouble)

I've actually used Qemu a little bit, but really only with Damn Small Linux.  I wanted to be able to play around with Linux at work, because I've found I really dislike working in Windows now.  Other than that I haven't played with it too much, the interface seemed a bit more confusing.  VirtualBox walks you through the process step by step and even offers suggestions as to the setup.

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