I just installed Ubuntu as a parasite on a fresh Win 7 install. I'm using Virtual Box and thus far I like it much better than Hyper-V or VM Ware. I will of course try those two at home before all is said and done.
After I get Ubuntu settled in, I'll move on to Server 2008 R2.
Thanks to everyone who took the time to post.
Double-post: sorry
I've used VB for about 12 hours now, here a few things I've noticed about it so far.
I like the way the mouse capture tool functions. Maybe this is because my home box is much better than what I'm using at school, but the mouse interacts between the Host/Parasite exactly as it would if the Parasite were any other application. When I scroll from the Host/Parasite, the mouse is automatically captured by either one. There are no nasty key-combos required. I like this a lot, seems fluid and natural.
Desktop resolution was a little bit of an issue. I thought I'd just hit display settings and bump up the res a little bit. Nope, not that easy. I actually had to read the manual! Well, I survived and installed Guest Additions all by myself. :)
No Drag-and-Drop between Host and Parasite is a total bummer. I am sure there is a solid technical reason for this, but that is a feature I would love to see in the future. I wonder, is it a security concern though? As of right now, my virtual machine is pretty well insulated from the Host, so that is cool.
The VB interface seems to be much cleaner than either Hyper-V or VM Ware. Creating the virtual machine was simple and user-friendly.
Note: Virtual Box indicates that it does support Windows as Parasite on a Linux Host. That setup intrigues me. Is anyone currently using an Ubuntu 10.4 Host/Win 7 Parasite arraignment?
Just a small heads up...
Err... It's called "Host - Guest" relationship, not "Host - Parasite"...
zzz2496
Oh I know that, I just like the connotation provided by the word. Parasite is really what a virtual machine is; it takes resources (RAM and HDD space) away from the host [victim].
But yes, when speaking in terms of virtual machines, people use Guest/Host or Parent/Child. I just like to add a little humor to it all.
Note on 2008 Server: mouse capture tool is a bummer, meaning you have to use a hotkey-combo.
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