If you don't want to fiddle with trying to install a Linux distribution in VMware, then you can download a pre-built virtual machine image of your choice and then ''play'' it in VMware player.
Also, go to del.icio.us and search for ''vmplayer'' and there will be all sorts of goodies in there for you.
VMware Player
http://www.vmware.com/products/player/
Pre-Built Community Images
http://www.vmware.com/vmtn/appliances/community.html
Del.icio.us
http://del.icio.us/tag/vmplayer
Also, don't forget that there is another virtual machine program out there called Qemu, I have only had luck with it when I use images from OSZoo. So, try that one out if you're feeling extra geeky!
Qemu
http://fabrice.bellard.free.fr/qemu/
Qemu Manager (makes image creation easier)
http://www.davereyn.co.uk/qemu.htm
Free OS Zoo
http://free.oszoo.org/

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