SVS Runtime is the core SVS application virtualization technology, with no Graphical User Interface (GUI) or server components. SVS Runtime enables customers to use software that is packaged by application vendors in the Symantec Virtual Runtime Archive (or .VRA) format. Application developers use Wise Installation Studio (also from Symantec) to build a .VRA for their product. Software vendors may also freely redistribute the SVS Runtime to their customers. Since HP business desktops now have SVS Runtime pre-installed, HP customers can easily consume any such virtualized software.

Q: So can I use the SVS Runtime to virtualize other applications?

A: No. With SVS Runtime, you can only use applications that have been pre-packed in the .VRA format by the application vendor. If you want to be able to virtualize any software yourself, purchase the regular SVS product from HP or Symantec.

Q: How does a virtual Web browser relate to Symantec's virtualization strategy?

A: Symantec believes that the convergence of security and management is a natural step toward "confidence in a connected world." To support that strategy, Symantec acquired Altiris in April of 2007. Altiris is the world's leading brand of endpoint management solutions and the company demonstrated leadership in that space by being the first client configuration management vendor to add application virtualization to its catalog, when SVS shipped back in March 2006. Symantec believes that virtualization is key to the next generation of client management and that application virtualization will best serve customers when it is ubiquitous. Having Symantec SVS pre-installed on all business desktops from the world's largest hardware manufacturer is a key step toward that ubiquity. The Web browser was just a compelling first use case.

Q: Devil's advocate question for you -- Why virtualize a Web browser, especially Firefox, which is already more secure, right?

A: Well, like we say on the Welcome Page, "Firefox already does a lot to ensure that you stay safe on the Web. But sometimes the unexpected happens. Been surfing the Web with undesired results? Machine getting slow lately? Things showing up that you know shouldn't be there? With Mozilla Firefox for HP Virtual Solutions, changes made to your machine from within Firefox are saved into the virtual layer and can be easily undone, like you'd never been on the Net! Quickly put things back to their original state by clicking the Reset shortcut on your Start Menu." So it's not just a security thing â¬- though virtualization is indeed an extra layer that complements the security tools shipped by HP. It's also a stability thing â¬- stability of the browser and stability of the machine, keeping things working smoothly. In fact, our tag line for the project is "Smart Stability."

Q: How does Mozilla Firefox for HP Virtual Solutions compare with Google Chrome?