The BLU runs Linux installfests periodically. One of the things we are
considering is rather than set up dual boot, especially with Vista where
SP1 causes some problems, we were considering installing Virtualbox in
Windows and installing Linux as a guest OS. Rather than do the time
consuming install SUSE or other distros, I was considering just keeping
a couple of VDIs on a USB drive. I have mixed feelings from this because
the installation does tend to teach them stuff, but todays installers
are mostly boring. I'd like some feedback on whether this might be a
good or bad idea. Personally I'd like to wipe out Windows, but most
clients want to keep what they might be comfortable with. Windows resize
procedure is time consuming because you first need to do a defrag, then
use either the Windows native resize or something like GParted. I always
reboot Windows immediately after any resize operation as a sanity check.
With this approach, there is no resizing, and no instalation. Just
installing Virtual Box (or VMWare), importing the VDI. I've never
install Virtualbox on Windows just on Linux.
--
Jerry Feldman