Virtural Reality

Computer gamers are not the only one's who can live in virtual reality, when computer techs need to load multiple operating systems at one time, they use a virtual machine to do so.  A virtual machine can simulate hardware or software for a physical computer.  This type of environment can be used to run various programs on one desktop.  This type of program can also be used on training devices to teach a class or install two systems at one time.  On Microsoft you can use the program "Virtual Pc" which allows you to operate in this kind of environment.  If you to isolate a particular application in software or hardware you are able to do so using the virtual machine. You are also able to capture screen shots when in this kind of environment, which could be used as tools to help teach a class.  Be aware that this of program takes up a lot of a computers memory, and if you don't have the memory to support it, it could slow down your computer.


http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-a-virtual-machine.htm

Awww Snap

The very first lab top I had was a HP Compaq back in 2005.  Back then just having a mobile computer was a big deal despite it feeling like a ton of bricks when you carried it around.  I can remember how frustrating it was to have multiple screens open and if I wanted to view more than one at a time, I would have to minimize and continuously re-size that window. Windows 7 came along and revamped the Flintstone ways of Windows XP.  Windows 7 introduced a new application called Aero Interface which changed the way we view multiple windows.

The three interfaces are Aero Snap, Aero Peek and Aero Shake.  Aero snap allows you to compare two active screens side by side by simple dragging the window to the edges of the desktop.  This automatically adjusts and re-sizes the box for you. Aero peek gives you the ability to see through all the active screens to display the desktop.  If you have multiple windows open and you only need to view one, you can simply shake the other one's away.  Aero shake lets you control what windows you want open by minimizing the others.

http://www.petri.co.il/new-aero-features-in-windows-7.htm