Trying to DUMP Windows.... But

[Bart Silverstrim]

Vincent Trouilliez wrote:
>> Richard wrote:
>>> Been watching Linux for the past few years, and have wonder "if" its 
>>> ready to replace my Vista Desktop.
> 
> Hmmm... in your case, I would install Linux, then create a Window
> Virtual machine. This way you get all the technical benefits of a Linux
> host system, while still using your existing Windows programs.
> Then you can investige Linux programs, evaluate if they meet your
> requirements, and progressively move your work from your Windows VM to
> the Linux host.
> Or if you could take a "safer" (from your perspective), but degraded
> version of this scheme: run a Linux virtual machine inside your
> existing Windows environement, and evaluate Linux and its apps from
> there. This way you only switch to Linux if and when you are
> 100% sure that Linux can do what you want.
> 
> To use virtual machines, there is mainly "VirtualBox" (free software),
> and "VMware" (which is proprietary).

With a learning curve, there's also the VMware converter to change a 
physical PC into a virtual computer, if he wants to try it and see if 
it'll maintain his current environment. Not recommended without a 
tech-type person around to help with the migration, though, in my 
experiences.

And, of course, he'd need a drive to store the VM and installation of 
VMWare.

-Bart