VMWare

[kriskd]

Any of you familiar with or have used VM Ware?  I'm playing around with it for my PHP/MySql class I'm taking at the local community college this semester.  I'm trying to read the instructor's mind to figure out how recommended or required this is because I'd rather just do my programs using XAMMP at home.  So, I'm struggling trying to find value in this.

So, if anyone has any insight, I'm all ears!

[Lisa]

I've used Vmbox which is similar apparently.

no idea why you would need it for that course though?

[kriskd]

Apparently the instructor wants us to do our PHP programs in a linux environment.  He has provided us a VMWare image of such an environment.  However, this is not a linux class so I don't know why he's pushing this so much.  Plus, there are issues with turning in projects electronically in a linux environment that you have to do all these crazy workarounds to make it work.

Plus, the VMWare and image chew up a huge amount of memory on my home PC.  We've discussed getting more memory for my PC and I think we're going to do that now.

So, basically I'm trying to figure out the "why" of this whole VMWare thing because I haven't found any benefits of it so far!

[Spite]

So, basically I'm trying to figure out the "why" of this whole VMWare thing because I haven't found any benefits of it so far!

  I imagine your instructor is trying to instill flexibility in your class.  So you are able to work in multiple environments, and think around corners to overcome problems.

[kriskd]

You might be right.  And learning linux is probably something worth tackling.  However, I'm just enjoying the PHP so much at the moment, I'd rather concentrate on that and not be bothered with these other issues (the VMWare slowing my computer, difficulty turning in projects, the expenses of the external hard drive to transfer the VMWare image between home and school....)

[Lisa]

he is probably wanting you to work in a linux environment as most servers are linux based