| You've heard about this fancy new technology called | | | | anything up. Virtual machines have a great feature |
| Virtualization. But what exactly is it? How can it be | | | | called Snapshots. What snapshots allow you to do is |
| used? Why would you want to run a computer within | | | | take a sort of picture in time of the computer, so |
| a computer? There are many uses that you may not | | | | whatever state the computer is in at the time of the |
| have thought about and virtual machines can be | | | | snapshot is saved. Later on down the road, if |
| useful even if you are not an IT professional. | | | | something gets messed up, all you have to do is |
| First, a quick rundown of the technology: | | | | revert to the snapshot and the computer is right |
| In very simple terms, virtualization software is a | | | | were it was before it got messed up. Very handy if |
| piece of software that emulates a full blown | | | | you ask me. |
| computer. When you run the virtual environment, you | | | | Virtual Machines are great for testing software. If |
| can install almost any Operating System you choose. | | | | you need the ability to see how software runs on |
| So for instance, if you are running Windows 7, and | | | | different Operating Systems or how it interacts with |
| need to have the ability to run an old program built | | | | different applications, virtualization makes this simple. |
| for Windows XP, you can create a new virtual | | | | You can also use a virtual PC as a type of sandbox |
| computer, install Windows XP on it, and then use the | | | | machine. For instance, if you (or your children) have a |
| old program on the virtual machine. | | | | knack for getting your computer infected with |
| There are two major players in the virtualization | | | | viruses or spyware because of the types of |
| world right now: VMWare and Microsoft. VMWare | | | | websites you visit, you can try browsing from within |
| makes a product called VMWare Workstation, which | | | | a virtual PC. That way if it becomes infected, all you |
| is extremely robust and great for professional use. | | | | have to do is roll the virtual computer back to the |
| It's also not free. Microsoft makes a competing | | | | last snapshot you made, and you have a clean, |
| product called Virtual PC, which is completely free if | | | | uninfected PC, and you don't have to worry about |
| you own an valid copy of Windows. It isn't quite as | | | | any of your personal information getting hijacked or |
| robust as Vmware Workstation, but for most home | | | | stolen. This method of browsing is also good for |
| users, it's more than enough. | | | | those with privacy concerns, as long as no personal |
| With all that out of the way, why would you want | | | | data is stored within the VM. |
| to use a virtual machine? Here are a few scenarios. | | | | Hopefully, this quick guide to VM's has piqued your |
| Virtual machines are good for learning. You can use it | | | | interest in virtualization. There are many more uses |
| to get the hang of installing Operating Systems, or | | | | for VM's and I highly suggest installing some |
| software, or just messing around with setting and | | | | virtualization software so you can have some fun |
| features without having to worry about messing | | | | with the technology. |