Oracle VM VirtualBox is a Must Have for Developers May 15, 2011
Posted by Russ Software, LLC in Free Apps.Tags: VirtualBox
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When Oracle bought Sun they didn’t just get Java and the SPARC server/Solaris technology, etc., they also got Sun VM VirtualBox, now called appropriately renamed Oracle VM Virtual Box.
VirtualBox allows you to run multiple operating systems on your desktop/laptop at the same time in what is called a virtual machine (VM). It sounds really techie but it is dumb simple to install, setup and use. It works great with all versions of Windows, many versions of Linux, Solaris (of course) Apple/Mac OS X, IBM O/S 2, etc., operating systems and the most amazing part is that it is free. Of course you still have to buy the operating systems, etc., but that is still cheaper than also buying additional laptops and desktops, etc.
I have been using it for many years now and have never had even the slightest problem.
I run Windows 7, Windows XP, Windows Vista and soon will be running Mac OS X – all on my laptop. This makes it easy to develop applications, provide technical support, learn new operating systems, test products, etc.
I can have my Windows 7/Office 2010/Visual Studio 2010, etc., running on my laptop and get a call from some poor soul using Vista Home Edition and Office 2003 and immediately switch to that VM to provide support. Then minimize it when I am done and go back to work on whatever I was doing.
I don’t know how I ever lived without it after I started using it. It is so good and convenient to have I would probably even PAY for it if I had to.
It also makes it easy to develop applications running on different operating systems without having to have half a dozen or so PCs or laptops. They all run on whatever laptop you happen to already have. Obviously this saves you money on equipment and your electric bill, etc.
