What is the most reliable way to run one Windows accounting program in Osx 10.5.8?

Question

I have a simple Windows application where I basically do my accounts. I do not want to tie up my Imacs resources with running a full Windows Os "emulation" like Paralells or VMware Fusion just to run a simple accounting program.
I have heard about apps that can run one windows application at the time through a kind of Osx Application which emulates windows some how. Is is true that this is a better way of running my accounting program? Is it reliable? What I do is to punch in invoices and print out reports basically. How much resources does this "consume" to run it in "one simple application mode" in comparison with for example Paralells?
And what is the term for running windows in "one simple application mode"?

Answer 1

I guess you could try the free trial of CrossOver. http://www.codeweavers.com/products/crossover/ You did not say what app you want to run so it is difficult for us to recommend crossover as being able to run the app.
But your question is that you are looking for the "most reliable" way to run a Windows program. In my opinion you need Parallels or Fusion. These run the real Windows OS so my thinking is it is the "most reliable" method of running a Windows app on an Apple computer, other than Boot Camp.
But you said you don't want Parallels. This is probably why you have not received any responses. You eliminated the most reliable and easiest method, in my opinion, when you initially posted. Parallels does not consume any resources until you start it up to use your app. You can close it after you are done with your app. Of course hard drive space is required for storing the OS, your app, and data. But you still need to store your app and data regardless of method you choose.
One more thing, Parallels and Fusion create a virtual machine for running Windows.
So my recommendation, use Parallels or Fusion.