Operating systems
GUI Breakdown: Shortcut Menu
A brief menu that appears when the user right-clicks certain items; this menu contains commands that apply specifically to the item that was right-clicked.
GUI Breakdown: Desktop
a graphical work space in which all of the computer's available resources can be easily accessed by the user.
The Rebel
Linux was developed in 1991 by Linus Torvalds with one simple yet profound philosophy in mind; that software should be license free and open source so that it can lead to better operating programs. This philosophy continues today in the most modern iteration of Linux, Ubuntu. It is named after the Southern African philosophy of ubuntu ("humanity towards others").
The Goliath
MS Windows runs on nearly 90% of all desktop and laptop computers currently in existence. The main reason for this level of proliferation (wide spread use) is due to its business philosophy envisioned by Bill Gates. Bill gates wanted to produce an operating system that could be installed on a wide variety of hardware platforms. He would, in the end, sell only software and make it as flexible as possible so that computer hardware companies could use it as the operating system.
The Come Back Kid
Mac OS in contrast funs on only 10% of computer systems in existence. The reason for this isolation is due to a Steve Jobs' insistence that hardware and software be developed together. Steve Jobs wanted to control every aspect of the computers design with one driving goal in mind, to make the end users experience as easy and intuitive as possible.
GUI Breakdown: Taskbar
A Windows screen element which includes the Start button and lists the programs currently running on the computer.
GUI Breakdown: Icons
A graphical screen element that executes one or more commands when clicked with a mouse or other pointing device.
GUI Breakdown: Screen Saver
A utility program that displays moving images on the screen if no input is received for several minutes; originally developed to prevent an image from being burned into the screen.
The Rebel's Strength and Weaknesses
Rebel Strengths: It's all free and open source! The most stable operating system available. Immune to all viruses. On line anonymity; your online activity stays private and untraceable to hackers. Rebel Weaknesses: Limited user base means limited support for issues. Installation can be complex (not a plug and play OS) Don't approach without learning a good deal about it first!
The Goliath's Strengths and Weaknesses
Some Strengths: Windows can be found in nearly every office, academic, and private setting imaginable. All hardware and software is designed for some version of windows. Is a vital operating system for office and educational applications Some Weaknesses: It is prone to system wide failure due to being designed for a wide variety of hardware configurations. 98% of computer viruses in existence are tailor made for Windows systems. Can be expensive when factoring in security software sold by Microsoft. Windows has made a reputation for being confusing and cumbersome to use and manage.
The Kid's Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths: Operating system is built for speed, graphics superiority, and stability. Virtually immune to all computer viruses. Free security updates. Weaknesses: Is cost prohibitive (these things aren't cheap!) Incompatible with some hardware and software.
What is an Operating System?
The master control program that provides an interface for a user to communicate with the computer; it manages hardware devices, manages and maintains disk file systems, and supports application programs. (The "interface" that the operating system uses is called a GUI, graphic user interface)
What are 3 different main types of operating systems?
The three operating systems are MS Windows, Mac Os, and Linux.
