Setting up a virtual machine - windows - for first time

[mcsolas]

I am just getting a mini I am setting up online. I am very excited. One last app I cant do without is coming out with a mac version but its not ready yet. From what I understand, I can install and run this app by setting up a virtual machine. I found this guide so I am starting here.
http://guides.macrumors.com/Booting_Windows_on_the_Mac

It looks like Parallels is around $80 for what I want to do. Is there any freeware options to do this? I only need it for one program... and hopefully not for a long time.

[iThinksimple]

maybe you can try Winebottler
http://winebottler.kronenberg.org/

but doesn't guarantee the application will run perfectly, maybe you should try it by yourself,
BTW what the software would you use?

[Stooby Mcdoobie]

VirtualBox is free, and is essentially the same thing as Parallels (minus a few features you wouldn't need anyway).

[mcsolas]

Thank you for the suggestions, I am going to check them out and will post when I get one working. The guide doesn't mention those, maybe its worth adding for future reference.

Originally Posted by iThinksimple

maybe you can try Winebottler
http://winebottler.kronenberg.org/

but doesn't guarantee the application will run perfectly, maybe you should try it by yourself,
BTW what the software would you use?

The software in question is Beyond Compare. Its a file comparison app that I use to synch files via FTP to / from the webserver. I also use it to handle my external harddrive backups. It just makes it real easy to see what files changed and very efficiently select & move files. Its pretty much at the center of my workflow. Some options and the software I mention are discussed more in another thread:
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1520208

Edit: Looks like I may be trying to install CS3 this way too. is this common?