Does anybody know if there is some sort of functionality within Windows that is similar to symbolic links in *nix? Basically what I'm looking for is a method of creating virtual folders which are actually references to folders that reside elsewhere. I primarily need something that would operate transparently to application programs (i.e. the virtual folder would apear and operate just as if they were actual folders -- just that they're pointing to some other location). Explorer shortcut files won't work -- they're not transparent to application programs (i.e. an application would see .lnk files itself, and doesn't "follow" the shortcut). NTFS junction points seem to be a "light at the end of the tunnel" -- they do appear to provide the desired functionality.

http://shell-shocked.org/article.php?id=284
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q205524

Unfortunately, I'm still running into folks that are running using FAT32. Another hitch is that it appears I'd need additional software to implement them (either third-party software, or software included in the Windows 2000 Resource Kit). Of course, the one big "gotcha" would make me hesitate to use them -- guess what happens when a user deletes this "virtual folder" from within Explorer? At this point the "light at the end of the tunnel" is revealed to be an oncoming train!
For the good news -- it seems Vista has the functionality I'm looking for... not that it really helps me with systems I'm dealing with right now...