VirtualBox...the possibilites and pitfalls

[kiwinsn]

I have heard and read others talking about VirtualBox.
There are some things I still do on XP, which I can't do in Ultimate, not even through Wine.

If I install XP on VirtualBox, does that allow me to run the progs I need, or am I better off doing a dual boot?

Appreciate your thoughts.

Cheers

[apc15x]

If I install XP on VirtualBox, does that allow me to run the progs I need, or am I better off doing a dual boot?

I am far from being an expert on this subject but I do use Virtual Box, I think that how you use it depends on the programs that you would be running. If you plan to run games or resource intensive programs then you might be better off doing a dual boot. Take a look at this site for some more info: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=501585 If you do decide to use Virtual Box here is an excellent "how to" for you to use:
http://www.ubuntu-unleashed.com/2008/04 ... heron.html
Good Luck

[Baphomet]

I think of Virtual Box of being, simply put, a 2D Solution. It won't be using your installed video card (it uses a default "virtual" graphics card and a vesa-esque sort of driver) so no fancy graphical type stuff will work (no 3D gaming, for instance) and no DirectX either. It's basically for office/desktop applications in my opinion. But, that being said, it does it really, really, REALLY well. Being able to "boot" Windows XP in a window, just like any other application, is just way freakin' cool. It kinda freaks me out, actually.

Something to think about: A Virtual Box install WILL require both the Virtual Box application itself (no too large, but significant nonetheless) AND a full install of Windows on your hard drive. This amounts to a pretty significant bit of hard-drive real estate. I only mention this so you can consider the Virtual solution, as opposed to dual-booting and how much hard-drive real-estate THAT will take -- and the how much functionality you get from each.

You lose a little functionality with the Virtual Box environment, but you gain instant access (without rebooting) to, what, 80%... 90%... of Windows functionality.

With dual-booting you get 100% of Windows functionality, but you have to reboot your system to move back and forth.

Just some points to ponder...

[kiwinsn]

The main use would be for Adobe Audition....

I know many will say Linux programmes are just as good, but I have been using it and it's predecessor Cool Edit for many many moons....and I find that it is really easy to use.....it does exactly what I want and the results are flawless...for me anyway.

Another option is mIRC with Autoget....doesn't play well with Wine.....and it's good to queue 'em up and let 'em go.

Thanks for the input...I think I will give it a go and see what happens.

Cheers