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Apple Boot Camp

Apple just announced BootCamp, which lets you dual boot Microsoft Windows XP.

What it actually does is burn an installation CD with special drivers. The software also moves your Mac OS X install to make room for Windows

The instructions sound a little scary:

Next, insert your Windows installation disc, restart and follow
the Windows installation process. The only tricky part is selecting
the C: drive manually. Be sure to get this right, or you could
erase your Mac files accidentally. Remember, Apple Computer does
not sell or support Microsoft Windows.
 

Just in case you've been living in a cave the past twenty years, Apple also warns:

Windows running on a Mac is like Windows running on a PC. That
means it;ll be subject to the same attacks that plague the Windows
world. So be sure to keep it updated with the latest Microsoft
Windows security fixes.
 

Pay attention to the requirements: you need Microsoft Windows XP, Service Pack 2, Home or Pro. No multi-cd, upgrades, or pre SP2 versions. They are very specific:

You must use a single-disc, full-install Windows XP CD that includes
Service Pack 2. You cannot use an upgrade version of Windows XP,
or install an earlier version of Windows XP and update it later to
SP2.
 

You should also note the license. Apparently Apple wants you to upgrade and plans to cut you off when their next version comes out:

3. Term of License.  The term of this License shall commence upon
your installation or use of the Apple Software and will terminate
automatically without notice from Apple upon the next commercial
release of the Apple Software, or September 30, 2007, whichever
occurs first. Your rights under this License will also terminate
automatically without notice from Apple if you fail to comply with
any term(s) of this License. Upon the termination of this License,
you shall cease all use of the Apple Software and destroy all
copies, full or partial, of the Apple Software.
 

I hope this doesn't mean no virtualization. Dual boot is "OK", but it's a pain in the neck. I seldom need Windows, and when I do, it's only for a moment or two. Even though the Intel Macs boot very quickly, I'd rather not reboot.

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