OPERATING SYSTEM

operating system

(computer science) software that controls the execution of computer programs and may provide various services

Windows 10 Mobile

(formerly called Windows Phone) - is from Microsoft. It is closed-source and proprietary and it is integrated with Microsoft services such as OneDrive and Office, Xbox Music, Xbox Video, Xbox Live and Bing. It is also integrated with non-Microsoft services such as Facebook and Google accounts. Most Windows phone devices are made by Nokia, HTC and Samsung.

iOS

(previously known as iPhone OS) - is from Apple. It is closed-source and proprietary and is derived from OS X. The Apple iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, and second-generation Apple TV all use iOS. The more recent versions allow for the installation of third-party applications. In previous versions, you had to "jail break" your phone in order to install third-party apps. iOS smart phones are developed by Apple and manufactured primarily by Apple partners, such as Foxconn.

• Patches

- a patch is a file of programming code that is inserted into an existing program to fix a known problem, or bug. Patches are designed to provide an immediate solution to a particular programming problem. Patches are intended to be only temporary solutions until problems can be permanently repaired.

Service Packs

- is a collection of updates that is typically released after enough updates have accumulated to warrant the release. Service packs typically contain all previous updates, which include security patches, bug fixes, and new features.

Updates

- is a file or collection of software tools that resolves security issues and improves performance. Updates are released when necessary.

BlackBerry 10

- is from BlackBerry and is closed-source and proprietary. It runs only on phones and tablets manufactured by BlackBerry.

Android

- is from Google, is based on Linux and is open-source. its releases are named for sweet confections; for example, version 4.3 is Jelly Bean, 4.4 is KitKat, 5.x is Lollipop, and 6.x is Marshmallow. Releases prior to 2.0 were used exclusively on mobile phones. Android 2.x releases are used on phones and some tablets. Android version 3.0 is used on tablets only. At the time of this writing, the current Android version is 6.0. It has the largest install base in the world and runs on phones manufactured by a wide variety of vendors including Samsung, HTC, Google, Sony, Motorola and LG.

Important

- these updates include security and critical updates.

Recommended

- these updates include software updates and new or improved features. Depending on how you set up Windows Updates, recommended updates can be shown together with important updates, or with optional updates.

Mac OS X

A Popular Desktop Operating Systems. designed by Apple for Macintosh computers. Recent versions are: • Version 10.9 - Maverick • Version 10.10 - Yosemite • Version 10.11 - El Capitan

Linux

A Popular Desktop Operating Systems. is a free and open-source operating system. You can find it installed on supercomputers - such as those used by Google and NASA. But it is also installed on millions of home and business computers. Because anyone who uses it can modify it, it is very popular with programmers.

Windows

A Popular Desktop Operating Systems. its operating systems are designed by Microsoft. Recent versions are: • Microsoft Windows 10 • Microsoft Windows 8 • Microsoft Windows 7

UNIX

A Popular Desktop Operating Systems. was one of the earliest operating systems and was first designed for use on large mainframe computers and servers. Modern versions are available for desktop systems, and include a GUI; however, the GUI is separate from the operating system

Taskbar buttons

A button displays in the taskbar for each open application program, for some built-in Windows applications (such as Microsoft Edge or File Explorer), and for any applications which you have "pinned" to the taskbar. Click a taskbar button to activate a program or window.

Proprietary Software

All versions (including mobile versions) and editions of Windows, Mac OS X and UNIX

Check boxes

Allow users to turn one or more option choices on or off.

Clock, Language, and Region

Change the format of dates, times, currency, or numbers to reflect regional standards or languages.

Action Center

Click this button to open the Windows Action Center.

Start button

Click to start programs, open documents, find items on your computer, and get help. You also use the Start button to power down the system.

Appearance and Personalization

Customize your screen with screen savers, desktop backgrounds, and so on.

Notification area

Displays the time and date and provides quick access to items such as the volume control or a wireless network connection. It can also display information about the status of the power level of a laptop battery or whether operating system updates are available. You can also control which icons are visible.

Command buttons

Enable a user to either save (and apply) or abandon configuration setting choices. For example, after you select the options you want to enable, you would click Save changes to keep your changes, or you could click Cancel to discard the changes you made.

administrator accounts.

Enables you to make changes to the system that will affect other users. Administrators can change security settings, install and uninstall software and hardware, and create or make changes to other user accounts on the system.

standard user accounts

Enables you to use most of the capabilities of the computer. You can use most programs that are installed on the computer and change settings that affect your user account. However, you can't install or uninstall some software and hardware, you can't delete files that are required for the computer to work, you can't access other users' files stored on the computer, and you can't change settings that affect other users or the security of the computer.

Radio buttons

Force a user to select one option out of a group of options. When you select a radio button, any previously selected radio button within the same group is automatically unselected.

User Accounts

In addition to managing communication, devices, and file storage, an operating system keeps track of who is using the computer. This is accomplished through ______

Open-Source Software

In contrast to the restrictive licensing terms of proprietary programs, an _______ software license makes the source code of the software freely available. Users are permitted to study, change, and distribute the software to anyone for any purpose. Most _________ software is distributed freely without charge, although open-source software does not necessarily need to be free. It is considered open-source because the source code is freely available.

compiling

In order to prepare a program to be installed and used on a computer, the source code is converted into an executable format through a process called _____

Desktop Operating Systems

Is an operating system that is used on desktop and laptop computers. it is a large and robust program. It offers many features, and provides a great deal of power and control over how the computer runs.

signing out of your account or locking your computer

It is considered best practice to protect your computer and documents if you are going to be away from the system for any length of time. Two recommended practices are _______&_______ whenever you are away so that other people passing by cannot see or access any of your files.

Open-Source Software

Linux, FreeBSD, Open BSD, and ReactOS are examples of ______ operating systems. Mobile operating systems based on Linux (for example, various versions of Android) are open-source, but are often bundled with a substantial amount of proprietary software as well.

Account Types

Operating systems allow for the creation of different types of user accounts. In Windows, there are two readily-available account types: standard user accounts and administrator accounts.

Operating System Updates

Operating systems are routinely updated for the purposes of increasing security, fixing bugs and adapting to new hardware and technology standards. Updates can be released in various forms. These include: • Patches • Updates • Service Packs

Show Desktop

Point at this button to make all open windows transparent so you can see the Desktop for a moment, or click it to instantly minimize all open windows on the Desktop. You can restore all the windows to their previous state by clicking it again.

Programs

Provides access to system management tasks such as installing and uninstalling programs.

Ease of Access

Provides options for changing accessibility specifications, such as turning on voice recognition or altering visual displays.

System and Security

Provides options for firewall settings, power options and file history (backups).

User Accounts

Provides options for setting the computer up to be used by more than one person.

Hardware and Sound

Set up or modify devices such as printers, speakers and monitors.

Network and Internet

Set up or modify how your system connects to a network or the Internet, and to share files with others.

• Knoppix • Ubuntu • Gentoo

Some popular distros are:

Desktop icons

The "shortcuts" you can click to open frequently used programs, folders, or files.

Mouse pointer

The arrow that follows the movement of the mouse (or touchpad) and highlights icons on the screen when you point to them.

Shut Down

The computer closes all files and programs, closes the operating system and turns off the power

code

The individual lines of instruction are referred to as

Taskbar

The long horizontal bar at the bottom of the screen that includes three main sections: the Start button and search box; the middle section (which displays the buttons for open programs and files); and the notification area (which includes a clock and icons that communicate the status of certain programs and settings). The taskbar is an integral part of Windows' multitasking feature.

closed-source

The software is released only in a compiled form and the source code is not released or made available.

Installed Themes

Themes that are created by computer manufacturers or non-Microsoft providers. Not every system includes this.

High Contrast Themes

Themes that are designed to improve computer performance or to make items easier to see. These themes do not include transparency effects.

Windows Default Themes

Themes that are included with Windows 10. The Windows 10 and Flower themes include a Desktop background slide show. You can go online to Microsoft.com to browse, download and install additional themes.

My Themes

Themes you have customized, saved or downloaded. When you make changes to a theme, the new settings appear in this section as an unsaved theme.

Security updates critical updates

There are different kinds of updates: that protect against security vulnerabilities and viruses and spyware. Other updates correct errors that are not related to security, or they enhance functionality and improve performance.

Important Recommended Optional

There are three categories for updates:

Hibernate

This option is found on laptops only. When you click it, the computer writes your open files and programs to a storage location and then turns off the system. Hibernate mode uses no power. It is useful if you will not be using your laptop for an extended period of time, but you do not want to close your documents. By default, this option does not appear in the Power menu, but you can customize the operating system to include this option.

Radio buttons Check boxes Command buttons

Three other types of menu options used in Windows:

distros

Versions of Linux are called distributions - or "______" for short.

true

Windows 7 and 8 users often configure their systems to automatically install critical updates and then decide whether to install feature updates on a case by case basis

Restart

Windows closes all open files and programs, exits the operating system and restarts the computer without turning off the power. Sometimes when a computer starts to behave strangely or seems to get "lost" or "stuck" restarting it will make it run properly again. Restarting clears the memory and reloads the operating system, but does not cause the computer to perform the start-up tests again.

Mobile operating systems

are optimized for touch screen technology, small screen size, fast file transfer, and accessing cellular networks. Even though they run on small devices and are streamlined so that they do not use excessive battery power or system resources, they can accomplish an amazing array of tasks including phone calling, video calling, streaming audio and video, Internet browsing, texting, connecting to Wi-Fi, and pairing with Bluetooth devices.

Profile-specific settings

are settings tied to an individual user's profile. These affect only one user account on the system. Items such as background pictures, screen savers, themes and sound schemes, or whether to display file name extensions in File Explorer are examples of it

profile

is a collection of settings that make the computer look and function in a particular manner. it includes settings for elements such as the Desktop background, lock screen, screen saver, pointer preferences, date and time format, and so on.

Task View

is a new view in Windows 10 that shows small windows of all your running applications in the middle of the screen and displays a command for creating virtual Desktops. -shows small windows of your running applications and a New desktop icon

program

is a sequence of instructions that guides the computer through the performance of a specific task or sequence of tasks.

app

is a software designed to perform a single function. -are small, and light-weight and are designed primarily for use on mobile touch-screen devices.

application program

is software designed to perform a variety of functions. -are large and usually require a fair deal of system resources (such as RAM and processing power). They are designed to be used with a mouse and keyboard.

Control Panel

is the area in Windows where you can access features to customize settings for devices on your system

Sleep

leaves the computer on, but puts it into a mode where it uses less power than when it is awake. The screen turns off and often the computer fan stops. Windows puts your work into memory. It is useful when you won't be using your computer for a short period of time.

software

refers to any program that makes a computer run - including operating systems and application programs.

Screen resolution

refers to the degree of clarity with which text and images appear. Screen resolution is measured by the number of pixels (or dots) the screen can accommodate, and the measurements are given as width by height. For example, a resolution of 1024 x 768 displays 1024 pixels horizontally on the screen and 768 pixels vertically.

Cortana

the Windows 10 personal assistant

Optional

these updates include software that you can install manually, such as new or trial Microsoft software or optional device drivers from Microsoft partners.

Proprietary Software

they are owned by an individual or a company, usually the person or company that created it. The owner sells an executable copy of the software to users for use on their own systems, and includes a license with the program. The owner also controls how the software can be used, if and how the source code can be inspected and/or modified, and under which conditions (if any) it can be redistributed

operating system

• manages hardware devices, and • controls communication among hardware devices, and • controls communication between application programs and hardware devices, and • manages files stored on the computer.