(+) The Best of Both Worlds: Use Macintosh and Windows Simultaneously on One Computer

The two leading operating systems of today are both excellent products. In some regards, the Macintosh operating system is better than Windows; for example, Macs are known for their reliability and graphics handling capability. In some other respects, Windows is better than Macintosh; for instance, Windows users have many more software choices. Luckily, thanks to a program released just a few weeks ago, it is now possible to have the best of both worlds all the time.

This article is being written on a computer that is running both Windows XP and Macintosh OS X simultaneously. In fact, it could also run Windows Vista, Windows 98, MS-DOS, Linux, or any of several other operating systems. It can even run two or three such operating systems simultaneously. So far, I have only tried Macintosh and Windows XP.

As I write this article, I am using NeoOffice, a Macintosh word processor. I can copy-and-paste information from most any Windows program that I have running right now in the same computer. If I prefer a particular Windows program for genealogy, I can use it. If I prefer a certain Macintosh program for e-mail or for creating videos, I can also use that program at the same time without switching computers and without rebooting. All programs work as they should, and without significant speed reduction. In short, I have the best of both worlds. Surprisingly, it was simple to make all this work - and not terribly expensive.

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