I've been experimenting with virtual machines (VMs) recently and am convinced that this is the way forward for computing in general. System or hardware virtual machines are essentially instances of an operating system which share an underlying physical computer platform. The layer separating the virtual machine from the physical machine is the virtual machine monitor (VMM). Put bluntly, I'm running one 'computer' on top of another.

"But why," you ask?

It's simple, really. Our computing needs rapidly expand past the ability of just one operating system to provide. If you own a Mac, you may want to run some software that is only available for Windows. If you run Windows, you might want to run something a little more secure when you do your online banking. If you run Linux then there may be times you want to load a game that just will never run without real DirectX.

Granted, if you stick to just basics, there is absolutely no need to extend your computing beyond the abilities of any one of those operating systems. Mac, Windows, and Linux all provide excellent web, email, music, image manipulation, and office suite programs. If that is all you need to do, stick with the system you've got and look no further. But if you want more, it is easily within your grasp.

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It's two days until Christmas and quite frankly, there is still time for you to make another eggnog. You owe it to yourself, because it's been a rotten year. The previous recipe is a smooth, easily drinkable version that is higher in alcohol than cream. The recipe for today is totally different in both taste and creaminess. This is the nog that Alice's mother makes every Christmas Eve and it's always excellent. Thick and rich, this is one to savor slowly, with cookies if possible.

(borrowed from this blog -- click for recipes using egg nog)

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There has been a request for a cocktail of the week with more of a holiday spirit... dare I say Christmas spirit? None of you will get all bent out of shape by the mention of the actual reason we are having a holiday next week? If the use of the word Christmas offends you, I do have an alternative link which may or may not be "safe for work" depending on where you work that includes no holiday cheer. It does include some guy's rantings on why Christmas is bad I guess, I didn't read it to be honest.

So what have I got for the ones still standing here, empty cups in hand? Cheer! Christmas cheer for all in the form of thick, creamy egg nog.

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