Use a Linux virtual machine to host cross development tools for embedded linux (ELDK, LTIB, Open Embedded/Bitbake, etc.)
Also, create virtual disks for generating bootable SD card or USB memory devices.

• Download Ubuntu (12.04 LTS) desktop iso image
  • [ Ubuntu 12.04 LTS iso image download|http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/thank-you?distro=desktop]
  • ~701 MB

• Burn to CD (use DiskUtility)
  • insert blank CD-R
  • drag iso to lower left pane
  • right click and select burn to disk (or choose Burn form menu bar)
  • enable verify contents
  • click burn

• Install virtual machine guest
  • start VMWare
  • File>New...
  • continue w/o disc
  • create custom virtual machine
  • Insert CD
  • Use operating system installation disc or image
  • choose CD drive
  • Choose operating system (should show Linux, Ubuntu)
  • Select "Use Easy Install"
  • enter account name and password
  • Select "Make home folder accessible to virtual machine"
  • Select read/write permissions
  • Download VMWare tools for Linux guest if prompted
  • Select finish or customize settings
  • Default 1 GB RAM, 20 GB HDD
  • shows Ubuntu VMWare guest window; select Play symbol icon
  • Automatically installs Ubuntu from CD...(Control-Command to release mouse)
  • Reboots to desktop login screen
  • Allow update manager to update
  • /mnt/hgfs mounts shared Mac User home directory

• Packages
  • autoconf
  • libtool (for autoreconf)