UbunTux

While Ubuntu and free software, we provide dozens of applications to meet any need, sometimes for whatever reason we are forced to use a feature that can only be found in Windows. To resolve this we have two main alternatives, simulation and virtualization. Under the first option we have WINE and in the second we Vmware and Virtualbox . While both options are similar with Virtualbox enjoyed more freedom of use. In the official Ubuntu repositories can find VirtualBox-OSE version is open source (Open Source Edition). This version lacks some things, but for many users are not required, are found in the standard version is free for personal use. These features include USB support, support for RDP, and support for Serial ATA drives.

The current version of VirtualBox, version 2.1 also includes new features that make it really interesting. Such as:

• Support 64-bit virtualized machines on hosts with 32-bit operating systems. If you have a machine that has a 64-bit microprocessor operating system although it does not support 64-bit machine you install on a virtualized 64-bit operating system. This is especially useful for those who wish to check software designed to take advantage of 64 bits.

• 3D graphics acceleration using OpenGL. The virtual machine can take advantage of 3D acceleration possib available to the host. In this way 3D applications run much faster and with more realism.

• Full support for VMDK / VHS including snapshots. VirtualBox 2.1 can be used without limitation the hard disk images created with VMware virtualization software and Microsoft without any conversion.

• Simplify network configuration with the host. Now it is easier to configure a network connection using a network interface of the host. Using "host interface (Host Interface)" the virtual machine connected to the network appear as if a cable connection will be treated by simple exchange of files between virtualized machine and any other network device connected.

Install VirtualBox

If we want the standard version or the version we use most recent SBI official repositories VirtualBox, my preferred option to use the Ubuntu repositories.

sudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list

and add the following lines at the end

# VirtualBox
deb http://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/debian intrepid non-free

Save and back to the terminal

wget -q http://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/debian/sun_vbox.asc -O- | sudo apt-key add -
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install virtualbox-2.1

With what we retrieve and install the pgp key, update the repositories and install Virtualbox 2.1 standard finally

Once installed you can run from System Tools → Sun xVM VirtualBox

From now on we can install our virtualized operating systems.

One option that we should not lose is fluid mode. Fluid mode is the submission of applications running on the virtual machine as our desktop applications specific to Ubuntu. Thus, we can run Windows applications on Ubuntu with our transparency. To activate it you must press the key combination [HOST + L], where the [HOST] which we have configured in VirtualBox, which defaults to the [CONTROL_DERECHO]. To turn it off we would use the same key combination. Logically also through menus fluid mode now. In the active virtual machine to machine → Mode we Fluid.

In the next picture we see Google Chrome in Windows virtualized on Ubuntu

All this is tested with Ubuntu 8.10 and it works correctly.