Windows 8

Although the release of Windows 8 is a long way off (indications suggest late this year) there is an opportunity for you to try out Windows 8 and see what all the fuss is about.

From the screenshot you can see that the start button has gone and has been replaced by the metro style interface.

If you want to install it - it can be run on a standalone machine, as a dualboot, or via virtual methods (VMware, VirtualBox and Hyper-V)  Note: It does not work with VirtualPC due to the changed kernel in Windows 8.

I installed it quickly and easily using VirtualBox
http://www.virtualbox.org

The developer release Windows 8 files were available here
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/apps/br229516


Support for running Windows 8 in a virtual environment is available here
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2011/09/16/running-windows-8-developer-preview-in-a-virtual-environment.aspx

Have fun...