Need to develop in Linux, need virtual stuff

[Michael Hartlef]

Hi folks,

I need to develop in Linux but have only a windows machine. I tried to install Linux(Ubuntu) next to WinXP but my machine doesn't like it. So as I only need it for educational purposes, I wanna setup up a virtual system on my machine.
But of course it has to be free. Can anyone point me to a good virtual service, where I can get maybe several Linux images for on the net too? I hope I made myself clear.

Cheers
Michael

[ErosOlmi]

Michael,

if you have a good PC in terms of memory, you can use virtual machines.

I use VMWare Workstation (http://www.vmware.com/products/) and it is perfect for the usage you described. But it is not free. The Player is free but you need your virtual machine already setup.

I suppose you can use Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/virtualpc/default.mspx). It is free and should work fine with Linux too.

Other virtualization software that I've not tested: VirtualBox (http://www.virtualbox.org/), Parallels (http://www.parallels.com/en/products/workstation/).


Ciao
Eros

[Michael Hartlef]

Thanks Eros for the links. VMWare does indeed look good, you can get a lot of images there allready. Do you know about a place where I can get OS images for VirtualPC?

[ErosOlmi]

You can download some Virtual HardDisks (VHD) from http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/bb738372.aspx
But they are mainly Microsoft test software.

Do not know if there are VHD with any Linux distro already setup.

[ErosOlmi]

To give complete info:

to download already pre-configured VMware Virtual Machines to be used with VMware Player (http://www.vmware.com/products/player/), go to: http://www.vmware.com/appliances/

[Michael Hartlef]

Thanks again.

[kryton9]

Mike the free vmplayer and appliances will work great for you. And you can also get latest Haiku (Beos) image appliance and play with it too.
VMWare does an incredible job. And the appliances are a really great idea!