Virtualization is a hot subject regardless of where it’s being deployed. Server virtualization is getting a lot of press because of the business implications. However, there’s just as much interest and need on the desktop side.
Since I’m a MacBook Pro user, I’ve often found myself needing to review a site or technology that is only found on Windows or Linux. In the past, I’ve relied on Parallels to provide my virtual Intel system. However, in the past year, several new comers have come into focus and one that is “Free” is now maturing.
From the makers of the original VirtualPC comes, VirtualBox. I was completely unaware of their offering until I “stumbledupon” a site that discussed a lot of the virtual options on the MacOS. While Parallels has been a great option, it’s needed some competition and what better tool than free?
I just finished installing it and while I’m not planning on reviewing it here, my intent is to simply quickly report on the experience.
First, the install of the core software was very painless. Pretty much like any other Mac software. Install a package or drag-n-drop into the “applications” folder. VirtualBox or VB, installs like a package and requires an uninstaller, if you so desire.
Once that was installed, I went through the process of installing WindowsXP. Since I own a copy of XP, but rarely use it, it was available. The installation was pretty much XPish or Microsoftish… long and arduous, like all things Microsoft. However, for the most part, the installation and subsequent updates (about a million of them) went off without a hitch. Well, except for all of the time spent watching the downloads, reboot, downloads, reboot etc… However, at the end of the installation process, I had a perfectly good working copy of WindowsXP at my disposal. Since I do very little with it, I left it as a basic install and will install a few specific applications I need.
Next, Linux. I went out and downloaded the Xubuntu distro, which came down as an ISO file. It was around 680mb or so and took a little while to download. Once done, I started the install process and discovered that VB supports mounting an ISO disk within the application, which I did and which it proceeded to install the entire package through the ISO eliminating the need to burn a CD. Cool!
That install took a while. Not sure if they’re taking their cues from Microsoft or not, but several of the install procedures seemed to take an enourmous amount of time and appeared to “hang”, but since the drive was cranking along and things weren’t hung on my core OS, I figured, wait and see. Eventually, it continued each section and finally rebooted to a very clean Linux install.
Now, what does this level of technical installation and tinkering have to do with sales or sales engineering? Well, in technical sales, one major aspect to being successful is DEMOS. In that vein, the idea would be to build a series of needed demonstration systems either on Windows or Linux depending on the need. Now, you can carry just one laptop, a MacBook Pro and have it all. Usability and ease of the elegant MacOS as well as Windows & Linux, any flavour.
Next, I hear VMWare has a great Mac solution that will take VM installations and allow them to run on the MacBook as well. So much power, so little time!
