Running Ubuntu under Windows/running a Windows app under Ubuntu

[Chanchao]

On a somewhat related note, I'm having a lot of success running Windows
in a window under Ubuntu without the need to install any virtualization
server (such as VMWare) first.

It's called VirtualBox.  (www.virtualbox.org).

There's a package for Ubuntu, you just install it. So you don't have to
make any changes to your Ubuntu installation.  It just opens up as an
application. 

Then you can easily create virtual disks (disk-files, which can be
located anywhere) and install Windows (any kind) on it. 

This works very, very, very, very nice. The virtual windows box is
networked through virtual NAT to your host Ubuntu installation and
everything just works..  My Ubuntu PC is on a LAN that includes windows
computers, printers, etc. and the virtual PC just thinks it's on that
same network.. Installing the printer was just the same as if it were a
real Windows system wired directly to the LAN. 

Also things like Citrix GoToMyPC works.. (This doesn't run under
Ubuntu), so I can now approach PC's anywhere in the worled with GotoMyPC
through that virtual box under Ubuntu.  

Finally, VirtualBox can SERVE a Remote Desktop (RDP) version of a
virtual Windows PC as if it was an actual Windows Terminal Server (or
Citrix server) serving up a PC..    I don't have that bit working myself
yet, but that's in INCREDIBLE feature.. As long as you plug enough
memory into an Ubuntu box, it can serve up multiple, separate virtual
PC's through Remote Desktop. 

VirtualBox is now open source (part of it) but also the version with the
cool RDP features is free (free with a small 'f') :)

Note: You absolutely need to be running the default linux-generic kernel
(default in Edgy), NOT linux-386 or linux-686 et al)

Cheers,
Chanchao