Why use a virtual machine? **RESOLVED**

[Ignazio Palmisano]

Steven Vollom wrote:
> Ignazio Palmisano wrote:
>> To legally use windows on a virtual machine, you need a license for it. 
>> What do you mean "not having XP any more"? Did you have it installed on 
>> some computer, and was it preinstalled (a OEM version) or did you have a 
>> separate copy you installed? The preinstalled OEM copies usually cannot 
>> be used on any other hardware, so no virtual machine as well, but if you 
>> had a regular copy you can use it.
>>   
> This is the part that I did not understand well.  I don't know other 
> people's reasons for leaving Microsoft products, but they hurt me.  If 
> you register a purchase then have an accident and damage your CD, they 
> make you pay again.  From Windows 95 through XP I always had a legal 
> copy of Windows, however, when I had need for help, they made me pay, 
> even though the problem was of their creation.  I don't see the value of 
> registration, if they are unwilling to provide replacement when a 
> customer has an accident.  They MO is to make you put your CD back into 
> the system all the time.  That creates opportunity for accidents and 
> wear and tear.  The last time, I got so mad, I broke my CD so that I did 
> not have it to fall back on.  I wish I hadn't done that, I would like to 
> have a virtual machine, now that I better understand, but I will never 
> give Microsfoft another penny.  It may be cutting my nose off to spite 
> my face, but I want Linux to win this battle, and that kind of 
> commitment is necessary to make it happen, I believe.

As far as I can tell, this means you have a XP license, just not a cd. 
In legaleseland, that might mean that you could get a XP cd from anyone, 
install it and use your serial number to activate it (and at least in 
Italy you have the right to make one copy of your original disc as a 
backup, so if the original medium gets damaged you don't have to buy a 
new one - applies to audio cds and dvd movies as well, even if it's not 
widely advertised...)

>> What have you tried that didn't work? Have you tried creating virtual 
>> machines and installing operating systems into them?
>>   
> I was hoping there was some application out there that did not require 
> giving any money to Microsoft that would make the virtual environment 
> rather than using an actual Microsoft program.  Pretty naive, however, 
> that was the only way I would use it.

to run windows programs, i.e. any of the free/open source ones, you may 
try looking into Wine. Or for the open source ones, use the linux version :P

> The only thing I miss from Windows is Spider Solitaire, it was 
> entertaining once in a while.

It's available in the KDE card games :) (KPath I seem to remember?)
I.