Using the Parallels Desktop for Mac virtualization software will allow me to run other Intel-CPU based operating systems, like Linux, on my Macintosh.

No one computer OS has a corner on the market for every good piece of software.

I am a software developer, and I find the Macintosh has a great blend of user/hacker/slacker (as in programmer, not reprobate) features.

What it lacks is a few Java IDE features that I would wish to have sometime. Nothing major, but some little things.

Using Parallels, I think I will be able to install the latest version of some Linux distribution and have that at my beck and call when I need it.

Kind of like nitro-charging my Mac with programming tools. And, I will not have to mess with Fink or Darwin Ports, or any of that stuff.

It will be a great way to get my coder-fu on.