Testing a Site Design on More Than One Platform with Only One Computer

July 29th, 2007 Noor

Running emulators on a computer can help reduce costs because you don’t have to own multiple workstations.

If you own a PC

Macintosh browsers

There currently is not a method to emulate a Macintosh system (and therefore a Macintosh browser) on a Windows operating system. However, the online service iCapture (see http://www.danvine.com/icapture/) lets developers see how a web page renders within Safari.

Linux browsers

Knoppix

Knoppix is a Linux operating system that resides on a bootable CD-ROM, meaning no installation is required. For further information, see http://www.knoppix.org/.

VMWare Workstation

VMWare Workstation allows the setting of several virtual operating systems to run on top of the Microsoft Operating System. Although software needs to be installed, it doesn’t require a restart of the computer every time you want to test a web site. For more information, see http://www.vmware.com/products/ws/.

Dual Booting Linux and Windows Operating Systems

Debian Linux can be installed on a separate partition on computer allowing the user to boot into either Linux or Windows Operating System. For more information, see http://www.aboutdebian.com/dualboot.htm.

If you own a Macintosh

Virtual PC for Mac

Virtual PC for Mac, a Microsoft application, allows for setting up virtual operating systems including Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Home, and Windows 2000 Professionaland thus, different versions of Internet Explorer. For further information, see http://www.microsoft.com/mac/products/virtualpc/virtualpc.aspx.

Boot Camp

Boot Camp, an Apple application, allows users to install a Windows operating system on Intel Macs. For more information, see http://www.apple.com/macosx/bootcamp/.

If you own a Linux Workstation

Wine

Wine, open source software, is an implementation of the Windows API that runs on top of X and Linux. For more information, see http://www.winehq.com/.

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