DISCOVERING COMPUTERS - Technology in a World of Computers, Mobile devices and Internet

Operating System

An operating system (OS) is a set of programs containing instructions that work together to coordinate all the activities among computer and mobile device hardware.

• Start and shut down a computer or mobile device.
• Provide a user interface.
• Manage programs.
• Manage memory.
• Coordinate tasks.
• Configure tasks.
• Configure devices.
• Establish an internet connection.
• Monitor performance.
• Provide file management and other device or media-related tasks.
• Updating operating system software.
• control a network.
•  Administer security.

Operating System Functions

Starting Computers and Mobile Devices

• If a computer or mobile device is off, you press a power button to turn it on.
• A user interface controls how you enter data and instructions and how information is displayed on the screen.
• With a graphical user interface (GUI), you interact with menus and visual images.
• How an operating system handles programs directly affects your productivity.

1. Single tasking and multitasking
2. Foreground and background
3. Single user and multiuser

• The operating system determines the order in which tasks are processed.
  
• A driver is a small program that tells the operating system how to communicate with a specific device.
• Plug and play automatically configures new devices as you install them.
• Operating system typically provide a means to establish Internet connections.

• Operating system often provide users with a variety of tools related to managing a computer, its devices, or its programs

1. File Manager
2. Search
3. Image Viewer
4. Uninstaller
5. Disk Cleanup
6. Disk Defragmenter
7. Screen Saver
8. File Compression 
9. PC Maintainance
10. Backup and Restore

• Automatic update automatically provides new features or corrections to the programs

• A user account enables a use to sign in to, or access resources on, a network or computer

           - A user name, or user ID, identities a specific user.

           - A password is a private combination of characters assosiated with the user name.

Types og Operating Systems

• A desktop operating system  is a complete operating system that works on desktops, laptops, and some tablets.

1. Windows
2. UNIX
3. Mac OS
4. Linux

Desktop Operating Systems

• Windows 8 offers these features:

1. Start screen interface with tiles
2. includes the desktop interface
3. support for input via touch, mouse, and keyboard
4. email app, calender app, and browser included
5. Enchanced security through an antivirus program, firewall and automatic updates.
6. Windows Store offers additional applications for purchase.
   

• The Macintosh operating system has earned a reputation for its ease of use
• Latest version is OS X

Server Operating Systems

1.  Windows Server
2. OS X Server
3. UNIX 
4. Linux

Mobile Operating Systems

• The operating system on mobile devices and many consumer electronics is called mobile operating system and resides on firmware

1. Android
2. iOS
3. Windows Phone

• Android is an open source, Linux-based mobile operating system designed by Google for smartphones and tablets.
  

• Windows Phone developed by Microsoft, is a proprietary mobile operating system that runs on some smartphones.