You always find these things out after the fact, but VMWare do provide an image of Ubuntu 8.04 Jeos with VMware Tools and a OpenSSH Server pre-installed.
Once you go through a simple registration process you are offered a couple of options to download i.e. via Torrent, HTTP
Find out more at http://www.vmware.com/appliances/directory/1363
As a side note, Virtual Appliance Marketplace actually offers a range of pre-compiled images for download which is worth looking into if you want to try out an OS etc. There is even an Open BlueDragon image there, pre-built and ready to deploy.