Can I install and run linuxCNC without hardware

Hi
New guy here.
Sorry this has been asked before. I did a quick forum search and didn't find anything.
I'm considering Using LinuxCNC to update an older Laguna IQ CNC router.  I'm looking at using the Mesa 7i96s IO card.  
From my research here I've learned that I'll need to run the LinuxCNC prerelease version 2.9 with the 7i96s. I've watched the videos from  The feral engineer  about the card and setting up the linux install.
My question is:
Is there any point to installing LinuxCNC before I have the 7i96 card from Mesa.  I would like to get a head start on configuring my PC and get get to know the software while the card is in transit.   Is there a controller card simulator that I could invoke to play with the application.

Thanks Frank       

I found the answer. Turns out Reading the Documentation helps.
Section 3.3 of the getting started document Has a section on testing the install.

Actually, the current release, 2.8.4 supports the 7i96S (support was brought in to it to address the card shortage)

Yes, you can install LinuxCNC and experiment with the various configurations. There are many (too many?) sample configurations, some of which include a graphical view of a virtual machine.

Install LinuxCNC than pick one of the sample configs from the config picker. For example sim/axis/Vismach/hbm is quite nice, though the LinuxCNC "splash screen" sample program is a bit small for the scale of the machine.