Could some one please explain to me why i would get VMware i had not even heard of it my self till recently i mean i can run multiple operating systems now with out it i just partition my hard drive i dont understand what it offers its not like you even get more mem you can still only use what you have got it would be nice if some one could enlighten me

I use it quite a bit for testing patches, scripts, gpo's, generating msi files on the Windows network I admin (I use Debian Sid on my laptop). There are also some management utilties that only run on Windows- with a virtual machine running I don't have to reboot to get to my Windows box. Also building and testing WinPE boot cd's.

how big a programme is VMware does it take up much space it self

Not really. It's actully pretty small.
What tends to takeup alot of space is your virtual machines.
However much hard disk space you use on a virtual OS eats up your hosts drive space.

It's very cool stuff though. Let's say you install linux as a host.
Then you run vmware like an application.
Using it to startup a windows2000 OS.
Install whatever windows programs you choose to use.
Once you get windows setup, save state. It's like a save file in a video game.
You can backup/archive your virtual os then, play with it, whatever.
Install a virus into it, mess it up, restore & it's right back to when you saved it.
Great for testing/learning.

You can also have a virtual network with it.
So you can copy files back & forth from virtual to host.
It pretty much turns OSystems into just another program you run.
The only thing it doesn't allow is direct access to the hardware for virtual OS's.
So a virtual Windows is fine, but it can't use hardware acceleration on games.
Or burn cdroms. You can, however, use the virtual to write an iso.
Then copy to the host & burn that to cd.

Lets say you want security on the net, but want to play all the windows games.
Setup 2000/xp as host, lock it down & install a firewall, antivirus & your games.
No web browser, no irc, nada.
Then VMWare & install slackware into it. Set it up w/email, browser, irc, msn, etc.
Then play games under windows. & if you want to surf the net just fire up linux, make it full screen & enjoy it.

Myself, I like stability as #1. So I run Slackware as host.
& it allows me to install & play with any OS & learn. Without messing up my PC.
I don't have to repartition my drives, or even worry about it.
If I need a change, I delete a virtual pc, make a new one & go.

Vmware has a free demo. I recommend trying it out & see if you like it.
It's well worth the cash. IMO.