use hyper-v, its part of windows server 2008

I started out with DOS 6.22, DOS SHELL was amazing, F10 for the menus, the file manager with folders on the left files on the right. 20MB HD, then onto Windows 3.11. Spent hours (if not days) getting custom bat files in place to run Maxi, Microprose, and loads of other games via booting from a floppy. I've used every version of windows since (currently 7 on the desktop and 2008 r2 server running various vm's). I remember showing off to my friends by typing pointless commands like 'ver', creating pointless batch files with text via echo statements, then onto the magical world of C/C++ with menu based systems and Dos style windows. I feel ancient now, my phone (Windows Phone 7 HTC HD7) has a faster cpu, more space, better everything than the first pc I built in 1997 for £750ish which was a 486 133mhz, 4gb, 16mb ram power house!

I reckon the best environment to start is public sector / government, because you learn quickly as you get thrown straight in the deep end. After a couple of years at this you'll know exactly which path your after because these type of jobs throw loads of work from different angles at you. then, specialisation is the key, pick an area and get really good at it, follow it up with contracting and go after the money. More money = more gadgets, more socialising, in short more to spend on enjoying the journey of life. Heck we all start and end at the same places, its how you get there which is the interesting part. the one to watch will be .net 3, winfx, vista, whatever they want to call it. its me that is