Create a virtual machine using VirtualBox
Virtual Box is a powerful open source x86 virtualization that runs on Windows, Linux, Mac and OpenSolaris. It supports a large number of guest operating systems such as Windows XP, Windows 7 RC, Ubuntu, Debian, SUSE, Fedora, and Red Hat. VirtualBox is free as well as many linux distributions. So if you haven’t tried any, I’d recommend you doing so.
In simpler terms, Virtual Box allows you to run another OS on top of your currently existing one. If you wanted to try installing an OS without the hassle of dual-booting, or even wanted to install another OS to do some programming since maybe Windows isn’t the best for you, then virtualiziation is one way to go. There is also no way you can harm your computer so its risk-free. If you corrupt a guest OS, simply delete it and try again.
VirtualBox Features
- Guest Additions for Windows, Linux, and Solaris – Allows you to install software inside the OS that improves performance. Just recently the guest additions allowed users running Ubuntu to run the Visual Effects, which is nice.
- Shared folders – Access folders from the host in the guest machines Virtual USB Controllers – Connect a USB device and your virtual machine will recognize it, including USB Flash Drives.
For more features visit Virtual Box Features.
How to start
If you want to start, simply download Virtual Box and an OS. I’d recommend Ubuntu since thats probably the most user friendly (or so I think). If you want something else, hit up DistroWatch. Once you have that, setting up Virtual Box with the OS is pretty straightforward. I’ll add a tutorial later on for those who still need help.
My Usage of VirtualBox
I use Virtual Box to create my own programming environment. I personally use Ubuntu but I have also used other linux operating systems that can be found at DistroWatch. Since I run a dual monitor setup, I usually have Windows 7 running on my left monitor while Ubuntu runs on my right monitor in the case I need to program and attend to my other needs such as IM or music player which are still running on Windows.
When I run Ubuntu on my Macbook on the other hand, I simply run it full screen and within the virtualized machine I run my music player, IM client, and have my programming environment set up so I don’t have to be switching back and forth since running another OS requires quite a bit of resources.
Final Impressions of VirtualBox
For quite some time now, I’ve been using Virtual Box nearly every day and haven’t had a complaint. It’s stable, free, and relatively easy to use. If your interested in virtualizing, I’d recommend you in trying this out.
