
We often feel the requirement of a second computer device when we need to use different operating systems. For example, programmers who work with cross-platform applications usually need to test their software on different operating systems. We typically try several alternative ways to use another operating system without purchasing a new physical computer. Some computer users set up dual booting techniques with the second operating system that they need to try. Meanwhile, some users try to set up the new operating system inside their existing computer’s operating system by creating local virtual machines. These approaches bring various sorts of pain points for the computer user. For example, even though dual-booting gives the highest performance, we cannot use both operating systems simultaneously. On the other hand, virtual machines offer a way to use multiple operating systems parallelly, but virtualization software consumes higher physical resources.
In both dual-booting and virtualization solutions, we need to download operating system images and install them. Therefore, both approaches are typically time-consuming ways to try a different operating system.
As a solution for this problem, we can use Desktop as a Service (DaaS) remote virtualization technology. DaaS providers typically offer a web-based console to manage different virtual machines. Those virtual machines are indeed created inside remote cloud servers. Therefore, we can create any number of virtual machines without affecting the performance of our physical computers. As another advantage, we can access DaaS model-based virtual machines from any location over the internet.
What is Shells?
Shells is a remote desktop virtualization service provider that supports virtual machines creation with many operating systems choices such as Linux distros and Windows. The Shells service provider allows you to use all virtual machines with the web browser. Therefore, we can access virtual machines from computers, tablets, mobile phones, and smart TVs. Besides, they provide apps for almost all popular operating systems.
Their pricing model and plans look very affordable and fair for any computer user who needs instant virtual machines.
Why is Shells important?
As mentioned, Shells’ virtual machines can be accessed from any web browser. Therefore, computer users can use Shells to keep their work on a remote centralized location, and they will be able to continue work on their paused work on any device. Moreover, they allow SSH connections for secure and advanced use-cases.
Programmers can create multiple instant virtual machines for experiments, testing, and development without any hassle.
Conclusion
In fact, Shells provides a good solution for computer users who need instant virtual machines that they can access from any device. I created several virtual machines on Shells to test the Neutralinojs open source project on different Linux distros. I like to continue using Shells for creating remote virtual machines due to their impressive blazing-fast automatic setup process.