Tag Archives: Open Source

Virtual Box and Windows 7 RC

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After reading a few posts regarding VirtualBox, I decided to give it a try, and install Windows 7 RC to try out.

The posts that piqued my interest were from:

The How-To Geek (RSS Feed)

July 1st

Try Out a New Operating System the Easy Way with VirtualBox

July 7th

Use Virtual Box to Test Linux on Your Windows PC

Windows Secrets Newssletter

July 2nd (Paid Article – Langalist Plus) Test-drive Windows 7 in a virtual machine

I have tried VMware and Microsoft’s Virtual PC 2007 SP1, with the Beta version of Windows 7, previously. I was able to get everything loaded, but could not get it to work with my DSL, nor my USB connection, so was limited in what I could do.

I downloaded VirtualBox v3.0.0.0 and installed it. Approx 15 minutes to install and configure. Then, I installed Windows 7 RC (build 7100) from the ISO I had downloaded. Everything works fine, in fact I wrote this post and published it using the Windows 7 RC virtual machine.

VirtualBox works well for me, so I recommend it.

My next thing, when I get the time of course, will be to try out the latest Ubuntu Linux, hopefully VirtualBox will make everything work for that also.

Open Source – Firefox 2.0

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Well I finally downloaded Firefox 2.0 and installed it.

Just for my reference, I backed up my whole PC and then just doubled clicked the Firefox Setup 2.0.exe file and ran the installer. I did not remove my 1.5.0.7 version or any of its components first.

The installer ran in less than a minute and when Firefox started up I found that everything worked must faster, and that my installed extensions (now called add ons) worked with no problems.

In regards to add-ons, I particularly like that Firefox now restarts itself, with my permission of course, and then immediately I have access to the add-on. This is much simpler and quicker than the previous versions.

All of my bookmarks and prior settings seem to have come out OK. If upon further use, any problems turn up, I will let you know about them through this blog.

All in all, I am quite impressed with the improvements I have seen so far.

I can not compare this to the new Internet Explorer 7, as I have not yet installed or tried it. I very seldom, need to use IE anymore for anything and do not even have it at work yet.

For now, I think that I will stay with my current Firefox Portable 1.5.0.7, as 2.0 is only in release candidate stages at this time, but when Firefox Portable 2.0 is put out as a full version I intend to switch over to that also.

Let me know about your experiences with Firefox 2.0, good or bad, by leaving a comment to this post.

Linux – Easiest Linux Guide Ever

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With the recent end of Windows 98 support, there are likely to be a lot of computers that, though old, can still be of use when converted to Linux and the many applications that come with Linux distributions.

With this in mind, I thought I would pass on some information I ran across in my lunch time internet wanderings.

Scott Morris – SUSE LINUX Rants posted a book “The Easiest Linux Guide You’ll Ever Read – an introduction to Linux for Windows users”.

This guide is geared towards SUSE Linux 10.1, but is a good overall guide to installing and using Linux distributions in general. The guide is a 162 page PDF file and explains in a well thought out manner the similarities and differences between Windows and Linux. It contains information on both full Linux only installation and dual-boot installation with Windows, as well as touching on the “live” CD option of trying out Linux.

I suggest that if you have not tried Linux and you have an old Windows 98 machine, you at least download this guide and read it through, before getting rid of a perfectly useful piece of equipment.

I have been experimenting with Linux for over a year now, using the dual-boot option, on one of my home PCs and plan to convert an old Windows 98 machine to a Linux only machine in the near future, when I can find the time to get everything set up.

If you do end up setting up a Linux system, or even a dual-boot system, please let me know what you think and if Scott’s guide influenced you in any way. I am sure that Scott would also like to know, so let him know also.

Finally, if you really get into Linux and you are in the South Florida area check out The Florida Linux User Xchange.