BSD Today: Running numerous operating systems at the same time

"Recently, plex86, a PC virtualization program, was ported to NetBSD as a host operating system. The open source plex86 project allows users to run multiple operating systems concurrently on the same machine."

"Frank van der Linden of Wasabi Systems, who ported the code, said, "it is good for NetBSD if people can run things like Windows applications on their desktops."

"NetBSD now also works as a guest OS. Other tested guest operating systems include FreeDOS beta 4, MS-DOS 6.22 and Linux...."

"Some companies have standardized on MS Office apps, so plex86 gives people a way to comply with that standard, yet move to another OS. There have been a number of requests from people who have custom DOS/Windows software, developed by outside software companies," Lawton said. "As an example, a lawyers firm contacted me some time ago and mentioned they had some custom software written for them. Porting it is nearly impossible as the consulting firm is long since gone."

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