Emulating Linux… on Windows!

Generally we usually read that, from Linux, in some way some software of Windows is emulated (for the moment). We are going to do something easier: from Windows, we are going to create a virtual machine in which we are going to install, later, an X distribution that we select from Linux, in my case I am going to install openSUSE 11.0
 

Let's see some advantages and disadvantages of this procedure:
* We are going to learn how to create a virtual machine, not that it is very difficult, but there is always a first time.
* We are going to familiarize ourselves with the interface of the Linux distribution without ever leaving Windows. 
* If a virtual machine breaks… it was broken and voila. We create a new one.
* We can create as many machines with as many distributions as we want (and the hard disk space allows it, of course).
* We can experiment with the different configurations, desktops, effects, colors, programs, etc., etc.

And among the disadvantages:
* We have to install the necessary software to create and reproduce the virtual machine
* Virtual machines take up disk space, clearly.
* Both the program that runs the virtual machine and the virtual machine itself are subject to Windows and its adorable and ephemeral stability.
* Finally ... we continue on Windows. 

Now that we have evaluated the pros and cons of what we are going to do and we have decided to start, let's get to work!

Let's install VMware Workstation, which is the software that will allow us to emulate our Linux installation. Once installed, we go to the menu File / New / Virtual Machine.

We are now in front of the configuration options of the operating system to be emulated. Let's select Typical.

In the next step, we are going to decide which operating system we want to emulate. Obviously, we will select the Linux option. We can see that there is a drop-down list to select the version of Linux that will actually be installed, although it is not absolutely necessary to indicate exactly what our version is (there is an option 'Other Linux' that is comprehensive of all the options that are not shown in that listing).
You can see in the image that I chose suse linux, in accordance with what I am going to test.

Later, we will decide what type of internet connection our machine will have. I usually choose the first option, so as not to complicate my existence.

And now, the most interesting part. We have to decide how big the hard drive of our virtual machine is going to be.

The 8 GB shown is the default option, you can change that value as necessary. For my part, I'm going to leave it at that.
Let's stop at the checkboxes shown: