On a typical day, I will be working on at least two and usually three operating systems. ArcGIS Desktop for work only runs on Windows. Thus, my work computer is a Dell Laptop running Windows XP. For video editing, I recently bought a MacBook Pro. My aging desktop, running short on processing power, but long on storage space, is mostly a network file server doing double duty for basic computing tasks at home such as internet browsing and email. On this desktop, I have Ubuntu Linux. Many times a home computing experience can look much like the space shuttle control center with three screens and two laptops arranged around me.

On weekends I frequently work on personal computing projects between sessions at a local coffee shop in Mt. Holly with wireless. Rarely do I want to lug two computers with me to multi task between GIS projects and projects of personal interest. Favoring my Mac for everyday computing, the Dell usually does not make the cut. Still, it would be nice to have GIS software with me.

The possibility of running virtualization solutions to accomplish this I had investigated. None really seemed to work all to well, but now one does, VMWare's Fusion. I was skeptical at first, but was pleasantly surprised. Everything thus far has worked flawlessly. I am most definitely impressed. Having everything needed for computing on one machine is great. No longer do is there an issue of "killer apps" when hitting the road.