Any virtualization gurus in the house?

Gaz · 05-24-2006, 05:39 AM

I set up a dual-boot with XP and XandrOS, planning to use Linux for surfing and XP for everything else. The problem is that restarting the computer to move from Linux to XP [and vice versa is a pain. Okay, yes, I am lazy, but the point is that the dual-boot is just not a viable option at Rancho Gaz.

I am looking into the VMWare Player that will allow me to run Linux as a “guest” system on a Windows “host.” That way, I can surf with Linux and do everything else on Windows.

Sounds too good to be true.

Does anyone have any experience with virtualization software? Can you educate me on the downside?

Thanks.

xoxo~
Gaz
Still trying to surf without Windows.

**morphius** · 05-24-2006, 07:09 AM

I've seen them used and most people that I know seem to like them well enough. I have thought about doing something similar, but then I use up all of my disk space and have to wait...

Gaz · 05-24-2006, 01:01 PM

Shameless bump.

xoxo~
Gaz
Invisible?

HC_Chief · 05-24-2006, 01:26 PM

Works great as long as you have plenty of RAM in your system. I recommend 2GB... allocate a full GB to the VMWare image.

Gaz · 05-25-2006, 05:51 AM

Thanks.

xoxo~
Gaz
Apparently needs to bulk up a bit.

patteeu · 05-25-2006, 07:38 AM

Why? Why do you want to use Linux to surf? I'm not criticizing, I'm just curious.

Gaz · 05-25-2006, 11:47 AM

Because I want the added security I get from the Linux OS. That was the reason I went with a dual-boot configuration. We planned to surf with XandrOS then switch back to Windows XP for everything else. However, it is just too much of a hassle to restart the system to move from Linux to Windows. I know it sounds like a small thing, but it is a nuisance in actual practice.

My research has led me to believe that virtualization [VMWare Player or Parallels Workstation for Windows] will allow me to run Linux and Windows XP simultaneously. That way, I can use Windows for Quicken and Outlook and the other programs that do not work in Linux, while using Linux for surfing.

I would like to dump Windows altogether, but Linux is not yet ready to be my sole desktop. XandrOS came close, but I have too many programs that have no viable Linux equivalents ["viable" for Rancho Gaz, that is]. I tried running Quicken under CrossOver Office, but it was just too buggy. This way [or at least so it seems], I can install VMWare Player and use Windows XP as the “host” system while running a Linux “guest” system to interface with the real world that is full of buttheads who want to trash my system.

xoxo~
Gaz
Not happy to be a Windows prisoner, but trying to make the best of it.

Gaz · 05-26-2006, 08:07 AM

Okay, one more bump to see if anyone out there has used VMWare.

xoxo~
Gaz
Thought there were more Geeks out there than this.

nmt1 · 05-26-2006, 09:33 AM

I've used VMWare before though I've never used it with Linux. The other posters who said you need lots of memory were right. Don't know that you need 2GB's if you're only going to surf with it. It's always a good idea to have as much memory as you can afford.
You should be able to download a trial version of VMWare and at least give it a shot. The full version is a bit expensive if I remember right, over $200 per license. It's not that hard to use but make sure you download all the documentation with it.
Give it a try and let us know how it goes.

Gaz · 05-26-2006, 11:02 AM

The VMWare Player is a free download. It is a smaller version of the VMWare application. You cannot create new virtual machines [well, there are actually several “hack” sites that show you how to do so], but it comes with a truncated version of Ubuntu [with Firefox] and you can download additional guest OSs from the VMWare site.

xoxo~
Gaz
Has to convince Mrs. Gaz next.

nmt1 · 05-26-2006, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaz

The VMWare Player is a free download. It is a smaller version of the VMWare application. You cannot create new virtual machines [well, there are actually several “hack” sites that show you how to do so], but it comes with a truncated version of Ubuntu [with Firefox] and you can download additional guest OSs from the VMWare site.

xoxo~
Gaz
Has to convince Mrs. Gaz next.

They must've changed the way they do things. When I configured my last virtual machine, I could set up as many as I wanted and use them for a short period of time. Don't remember exactly how long...2 weeks I think.
I think you should wade on in. Hope it works for you.

05-24-2006, 05:39 AM
Gaz Defense Homer Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Rancho Gaz Casino cash: $10010793	Any virtualization gurus in the house? I set up a dual-boot with XP and XandrOS, planning to use Linux for surfing and XP for everything else. The problem is that restarting the computer to move from Linux to XP [and vice versa is a pain. Okay, yes, I am lazy, but the point is that the dual-boot is just not a viable option at Rancho Gaz. I am looking into the VMWare Player that will allow me to run Linux as a “guest” system on a Windows “host.” That way, I can surf with Linux and do everything else on Windows. Sounds too good to be true. Does anyone have any experience with virtualization software? Can you educate me on the downside? Thanks. xoxo~ Gaz Still trying to surf without Windows.
Posts: 5,911

05-24-2006, 07:09 AM	#2
morphius World's finest morphius Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $6765027	I've seen them used and most people that I know seem to like them well enough. I have thought about doing something similar, but then I use up all of my disk space and have to wait...
Posts: 25,987

05-24-2006, 01:01 PM	#3
Gaz Defense Homer Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Rancho Gaz Casino cash: $10010793	Is there anybody out there? Shameless bump. xoxo~ Gaz Invisible?
Posts: 5,911

05-24-2006, 01:26 PM	#4
HC_Chief That's just f***in' stupid Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: suburbia Casino cash: $3687107	Works great as long as you have plenty of RAM in your system. I recommend 2GB... allocate a full GB to the VMWare image. __________________ "Gentlemen, you can't fight in here, this is the war room!"
Posts: 12,355

05-25-2006, 05:51 AM	#5
Gaz Defense Homer Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Rancho Gaz Casino cash: $10010793	I am sitting at 1GB now... Thanks. xoxo~ Gaz Apparently needs to bulk up a bit.
Posts: 5,911

05-25-2006, 07:38 AM	#6
patteeu The 23rd Pillar Join Date: Sep 2002 Casino cash: $10019237	Why? Why do you want to use Linux to surf? I'm not criticizing, I'm just curious.
Posts: 110,871

05-25-2006, 11:47 AM	#7
Gaz Defense Homer Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Rancho Gaz Casino cash: $10010793	I am looking for the best of both worlds... Because I want the added security I get from the Linux OS. That was the reason I went with a dual-boot configuration. We planned to surf with XandrOS then switch back to Windows XP for everything else. However, it is just too much of a hassle to restart the system to move from Linux to Windows. I know it sounds like a small thing, but it is a nuisance in actual practice. My research has led me to believe that virtualization [VMWare Player or Parallels Workstation for Windows] will allow me to run Linux and Windows XP simultaneously. That way, I can use Windows for Quicken and Outlook and the other programs that do not work in Linux, while using Linux for surfing. I would like to dump Windows altogether, but Linux is not yet ready to be my sole desktop. XandrOS came close, but I have too many programs that have no viable Linux equivalents ["viable" for Rancho Gaz, that is]. I tried running Quicken under CrossOver Office, but it was just too buggy. This way [or at least so it seems], I can install VMWare Player and use Windows XP as the “host” system while running a Linux “guest” system to interface with the real world that is full of buttheads who want to trash my system. xoxo~ Gaz Not happy to be a Windows prisoner, but trying to make the best of it.
Posts: 5,911

05-26-2006, 08:07 AM	#8
Gaz Defense Homer Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Rancho Gaz Casino cash: $10010793	Is this or is this not GEEKSPlanet? Okay, one more bump to see if anyone out there has used VMWare. xoxo~ Gaz Thought there were more Geeks out there than this.
Posts: 5,911

05-26-2006, 09:33 AM	#9
nmt1 Veteran Join Date: Sep 2000 Casino cash: $10004900	I've used VMWare before though I've never used it with Linux. The other posters who said you need lots of memory were right. Don't know that you need 2GB's if you're only going to surf with it. It's always a good idea to have as much memory as you can afford. You should be able to download a trial version of VMWare and at least give it a shot. The full version is a bit expensive if I remember right, over $200 per license. It's not that hard to use but make sure you download all the documentation with it. Give it a try and let us know how it goes.
Posts: 1,735

05-26-2006, 11:02 AM	#10
Gaz Defense Homer Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Rancho Gaz Casino cash: $10010793	Looks like I just need to wade on in... The VMWare Player is a free download. It is a smaller version of the VMWare application. You cannot create new virtual machines [well, there are actually several “hack” sites that show you how to do so], but it comes with a truncated version of Ubuntu [with Firefox] and you can download additional guest OSs from the VMWare site. xoxo~ Gaz Has to convince Mrs. Gaz next.
Posts: 5,911