[NTLUG:Discuss] VMware rebate - must register at VMware

[Chris Cox]

Burton M. Strauss III wrote:
...
> How about this - buy the product if you can justify the $189 price.  Then,
> if it ends up costing you less, consider donating the $100 to an Open Source
> project!
> 

This is good way of looking at it.  VMware is excellent software.
Chances are, if you run Windows and are legal, you have spent
way more than $300 for software.... and therefore certainly more
than $189.

But if you don't think you need VMware but only on occasions,
I'd either stick it out with the 30-day eval licenses, or look
at some kind of alternative.

For example, if all you want is M$ Office, buy CrossOver Office.
The apps run well and are generally faster than running under
Windows (works best with Office 2000 btw, but Office 97 works).

If you want a ton of virtual Linux boxes (I used 2 Linux hosts
under VMware at the last meeting)... look at Linux V-Servers
or UML (User Mode Linux http://user-mode-linux.sourceforge.net/)

For me, I run many different things, Solaris, FreeBSD, Linux (multiple
flavors), Windows (multiple flavors) so VMware is the best choice.
I mainly use VMware to simulate real networks.  It allows me
to carry a virtual datacenter inside of my laptop.

I also use CrossOver Office btw.  I'm sorry, but the software is
just plain too cool... even if we don't like M$ Office.... sometimes
you still have to go with it (e.g. when full compatability is
the only option).