debian filesystem inside a file

[Jason Pepas <j.pepas@mail.utexas.edu>]

hello,

i was wondering if it is possible to install debian, using a file as a 
partition.  Sort of like how BeOS will install inside windows, creating its 
filesystem in a file.

I think this has been done with umsdos, but what about under NTFS?  Is there 
any hope of that?

thanks,
jason pepas