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Got a new app you want to try on for size? How about a new operating system? Unless you've got a closet full of computers, it's a non-trivial undertaking to set up a new system, to say nothing of the havoc the process will wreak on your current setup.

VirtualBox allows you to create "virtual machines"—a system that lives inside of another system. This allows you to do things like try a new operating system on for size without breaking the one you already have installed. Suppose you're running an XP system, but need to do something on a Win2k or even Win98 system. You don't want to throw away your XP stuff, so you go ahead and create a virtual machine. You can now run your down-rev application without impacting the "real" operating system on your machine. Want to try Vista on for size? It works the other direction, too: create another virtual machine and install it there.

VirtualBox runs on most x86 systems under Windows and many flavors of Linux.

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Flightgear may be the closest thing to actually strapping yourself in the left seat. This flight simulator rivals commercial software like Microsoft Flight Simulator, delivering beautiful, realistic scenery, lighting, terrain, and flight controls. You can take off and land at more than 20,000 airports worldwide and can take command of dozens of different aircraft including the 1903 Wright plane and military fighter jets. You don’t need a top of the line computer to run the program, but plenty of RAM and a better graphics card will provide better results. Whether you are looking to burn some time flying the open skies, or want to supplement your flight school training, give Flightgear a try.

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