Virtual Machines? Virtualization? huh?

All the talks about Virtual Machines is really hurting my head.

What is it exactly?

Let's go back to the classroom:

Is it starting to makes sense? I think it's a little clearer for me.

So, if I understood it correctly, the main idea here is the separation of hardware and software dependency. 

In your typical old computer, you will have one Operating System (such as Windows) running on one machine and making use of the hardware (with drivers). The Virtual Machine concept uses a software (hypervisor) to allow you to create many separate systems (virtual machines) running at the same time and sharing the same hardware resource you have.

This means your machines are utilised more efficiently and also each (virtual) systems of yours are easier to move around (even onto different hardware). It also means it is easier for you to scale up as virtual machines can be created or removed as required, whilst your hardware can be centrally managed, maintained and put together compactly at a central secure location. All of the above means improves efficiency, flexibility and cost saving.

Well, if you don't like the above explanations, here is another clip (with a somewhat more seductive tone, if that helps):

I hope I have understood this correctly and I am not misguiding my friends and the general public with my limited understanding in Virtualization..

To end this post, there is one application of Virtualization that all the main stream IT companies are focusing on at the moment and it's called - Desktop Virtualization. This is where you can vistualize your desktop computer and have access to it from anywhere using any devices as long as you have an internet connection. This means you don't have to carry your devices around! Also, the service can provide all the software you need, so you can effectively have access to software in a pay as you go fashion instead of buying a copy of every software you need.