I had an interesting weekend playing with Oracle VM VirtualBox (3.2.6 r63112) on the Ubuntu 10.04 Lucid Lynx (2.6.32-22-generic #36-Ubuntu SMP Thu Jun 3 22:02:19 UTC 2010 i686 GNU/Linux) side of my dual boot (XP) lenovo ThinkPad R61i.

I had a little experience with VMWare but none with VB. While I was deciding what to install I realized that all of my Windows software was at another location so I went flipping through a stack of old Linux distributions to see what I could find. I came across a DVD-R that was unlabeled so I stuck it into the drive to see what it was. It turned out to be a trial d/l of Windows 7.

I installed Win7 twice and also an instance of OpenSolaris. Yes, I know that the Win7 installs are not legal and I have already removed them till I can get to my licensed copy tomorrow. I installed the guest additions to one Win7 but not to the other Win7. Both Win7s used Ubuntu's connection to the internet (MiFi 2200). I did not setup shared folders but as advertised the instance that had guest addons would allow copy/paste of text but not file transfer.

I installed Opera with Unite on both virtual machines. Just for a lark I decided to use Unite's file transfer app. I started both VMs. I was easily able to transfer files between either VM, VM and the host, Vms, the host and my desktop. I wouldn't use Unite for production or where stong security was needed but for just easy file sharing it is hard to beat.

Thanks for the info.. I need to check out 'Unite'.. is it part of the Opera browser-package?

Also, why are you worried about Win7 trial? I thought the whole idea was to use it to test out whether it was what someone would/could use??

Yes, Unite is a simple web server built into the browser with installable apps written by the community. It was launched with a lot of fan-fare but has not seen a lot of development.

The win7 trial had a eula that you had to agree to buy a lisence after the full version came out. I really just wanted to see how win7 might play on my computer should I decide to replace the XP side of my dual boot.It took me a little while to figure out how to get sound and usb support which is why I was doing file transfer over the net.

There was just a bulletin the other day.. somewhere.. Slashdot or Softpedia, where M$ was giving away time bombed VM images of Win7.. so developers of browsers could test it out.

Since you are apparently in a work environment.. where you are required to use M$.. I am telling you this.. but usually I don't encourage such bad behavior