SCL Assignment

SCL QUESTION 3

What is an Operating System?

An operating system is the most important software that runs

on a computer. It manages the computer's memory, processes,

and all of its software and hardware. It also allows you to

communicate with the computer without knowing how to speak the

computer's "language." Without an operating system, a

computer is useless.

The Operating System's Job

You've probably heard the phrase boot your computer, but do you know what that means? Booting is the

process that occurs when you press the power button to turn your computer on. During this process (which may

take a minute or two), the computer does several things:

Š It runs tests to make sure everything is working correctly.

Š It checks for new hardware.

Š It then starts up the operating system.

Once the operating system has started up, it manages all of the software and hardware on the computer.

Most of the time, there are many different programs running at the same time, and they all need to access your

computer's Central Processing Unit (CPU), memory, and storage. The operating system coordinates all of

Page 1

Watch the video (2:13). Need help?

Windows 7 startup screen

©1998-2013 Goodwill Community Foundation, Inc. All rights reserved.this to make sure that each program gets what it needs. Without the operating system, the software wouldn't even

be able to talk to the hardware, and the computer would be useless.

Types of Operating Systems

Operating systems usually come preloaded on any computer that you buy. Most people use the operating

system that comes with their computer, but it is possible to upgrade or even change operating systems.

Modern operating systems use a Graphical User Interface, or GUI (pronounced "gooey"). A GUI lets you use

your mouse to click on icons, buttons, and menus, and everything is clearly displayed on the screen using a

combination of graphics and text.

Each operating system's GUI has a different look and feel, so if you switch to a different operating system it may

seem unfamiliar at first. However, modern operating systems are designed to be easy to use, and most of the

basic principles are the same.

Windows 7, after starting up

Page 2

The three most common operating systems for personal computers are Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac OS X,

and Linux.

The Windows, OS X, and Linux logos

©1998-2013 Goodwill Community Foundation, Inc. All rights reserved.Before GUIs, computers had a command-line interface, which meant the user had to type every single

command to the computer, and the computer would only display text.

Microsoft Windows

Microsoft created the Windows operating system in the mid-1980s. Over the years, there have been many

different versions of Windows, but the most recent ones are Windows 8 (released in 2012), Windows 7 (2009),

and Windows Vista (2007). Windows comes preloaded on most new PCs, which helps to make it the most

popular operating system in the world.

If you're buying a new computer or upgrading to a newer version of Windows, you can choose from several

different editions of Windows, such as Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate.

Apple Mac OS X

Mac OS is a line of operating systems created by Apple Inc. It comes preloaded on all new Macintosh

computers, or Macs. All of the recent versions are known as Mac OS X (pronounced Mac O-S Ten), and their

specific version names are Mountain Lion (released in 2012), Lion (2011), and Snow Leopard (2009). Apple

also offers a version called Mac OS X Server, which is designed to be run on servers.

According to StatCounter Global Stats, Mac OS X users account for 7.5% of the operating systems market as of

January 2013 - much lower than the percentage of Windows users (over 90%). One reason for this is that Apple

computers tend to be more expensive. However, many people prefer the look and feel of Mac OS X.

Linux

Linux (pronounce LINN-ux) is a family of open source operating systems, which means that they can be

modified and distributed by anyone around the world. This is very different from proprietary software like

Windows, which can only be modified by the company that owns it (Microsoft). The advantages of Linux are that it

is free, and there are many different distributions (or versions) that you can choose from. Each distribution has

a different look and feel, and the most popular ones include Ubuntu, Mint, and Fedora.

Linux is named after Linus Torvalds, who created the Linux kernel in 1991. The kernel is the computer code

that is the central part of an operating system.

According to StatCounter Global Stats, Linux users account for less than 1% of the operating systems market as

of January 2013. However, most servers run Linux because it's relatively easy to customize.

Mac OS X Lion

Page 5

©1998-2013 Goodwill Community Foundation, Inc. All rights reserved

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF OS

Some of the advantages owned by Mac OS:

1).Mac OS is not easily affected by the virus.

Designed with security oriented, Mac OS isn't plagued by constant attacks from PC viruses and malware. However there will also slow you down with constant security alerts and other interruptions.

2).High Performance.

Particularly on Mac OS X — with the latest Intel processors and other best innovation, a Mac can do all the things that only a Mac can do — with stunning speed.

3).User-friendly

With the look of the GUI is very attractive, making Mac OS as one of a lot of interest in particular OS by the graphic designer and for those just learning the computer.

Lack of reply owned by Mac OS:

1). Mac could not be assembled on its own because Apple does not give license to other companies to create hardware that can use the Mac OS

2.) Software on Mac OS is not so complete

The influence of the dominance of Microsoft Windows over the years make the user has been very familiar and reluctant to adapt to the latest OS. The same rationale be breeding grounds of the latest applications with a system requirement of Windows.

3).It Costs Dearly

4.) Only useful for graphic designers

5.) can not be used at the same time

6.) the software is incomplete and does not match play games because it looks less good

 LINUX

ADVANTAGES

Freedom!  Most Linux distros are free..... users do not need to pay for a copy, but this is only one aspect of freedom enjoyed by Linux users! In addition, Linux distros can be freely downloaded and legally installed on as many computers as you want and freely (and legally) given to other people. Because most distros are open source, you have access to the source code and can customize Linux to be whatever you want it to be; you can even create your own distro if you like!

Linux is easy to install!  In many instances, it is actually easier to install Linux to your computer than Windows. Click here to learn more about how to download and install Linux to your computer [1].

Linux is very stable!  Linux systems rarely crash, and when they do, the whole system normally does not go down. The "blue screen of death" familiar to Windows users is not a worry for Linux users.

Linux is less vulnerable to computer malware!  Because most computer malware are designed to attack Windows (often through Active X which is not typically found in Linux) the odds are considerably less for Linux to be infected with a virus than Windows [2]. The same holds true with spyware, trojans, and worms. While Linux malware does exist, they are relatively few in number and none have become widespread so far [3]. While Linux is very secure by its nature, users should still employ good sense while surfing the Internet; click here to learn more [4]. As long as Linux users download and install only from their distro's official software repository, then security is greatly increased. One nice security feature In Linux is that files must be made to be executable by someone with administrator privileges, which requires a password. So even if a Linux virus is loaded on a Linux computer, it will not be able to run without the user who has administrator privileges intentionally making it executable. Another important aspect of Linux security is the fact that it is open source. Because the programing code is available for anyone to view, there are many eyes constantly examining it, which makes it highly difficult for malware to be hidden within the code [5]. Also, security patches normally come much quicker to Linux than other operating systems because so many people are contributing to it. Here are some resources with more information about Linux security and why Linux computers are much less likely than Windows to ever become infected with a virus:

Linux typically does not slow down over time!  Unlike Windows, Linux does not easily become bogged down with spyware, viruses, trojans, etc., which can greatly reduce a computer's performance. Also, because Linux does not have a registry like Windows, it is not plagued with registry errors which can slow down a computer over time. Finally, the hard drives on Windows (especially Windows XP and older) computers need to be defragmented on a regular basis in order to maintain faster performance, due to being formatted in NTFS. On the other hand, because Linux is normally formatted in a different way using ext4 among others, there is no need to defragment a Linux hard drive.

Linux can breathe new life into old computers!  If you have an older computer (especially Pentium III or later) laying around, you can install Linux and in essence have a new computer. In many cases Linux will run faster and you can do all of the basics such as browse the Internet, email, play games, and create and edit documents, spreadsheets, and PowerPoint presentations. It should also be mentioned that Linux runs great on newer computers as well.

With Linux, you have so many choices in a wide variety of distros!  Linux comes in all sizes and flavors, which offers a wide variety from which to choose the distro which will best suit your needs. Another advantage of this variety is the innovation that is taking place in the Linux world because it is open source. You can learn more about different Linux distros by going to distrowatch.com.

With many Linux distros, you have access to free software which numbers in the thousands!  Popular distros such as Ubuntu, PCLinuxOS, andOpenSUSE offer excellent software repositories within their package managers where virtually any type of software can be downloaded and installed to your Linux system for free. This includes just about anything you can imagine, such as games, educational software, office suites, and much more! Some smaller distros, such as Peppermint OS, Lubuntu, Bodhi Linux, and Puppy Linux are based on Ubuntu and as a result have access to Ubuntu's software repositories. One very nice aspect of these repositories is that the software found in them has already been tested for compatibility and safety. For example, the thousands of free and open source software found in the Ubuntu Software Center has been tested and examined by Ubuntu, so a user can be confident that the software will be compatible with Ubuntu and will not include malware.

 DISADVANTAGES

Many Windows programs will not run in Linux.  iTunes, Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer and many other Windows programs will not run natively in Linux. The good news is that there are decent ways around most of these problems. For example, music libraries can be managed with an iPod using programs such as Amarok,Banshee, or Rhythmbox in Linux. Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome are outstanding Internet browsers which can be used in the place of Internet Explorer. It is also possible to run iTunes in Linux using Wine, VirtualBox, or Parallels, though it is difficult to have good results. LibreOffice and OpenOffice are excellent office suites which can be used in the place of Microsoft Office, but while overall compatibility in both suites is good with Microsoft Office formats, it is not perfect. Click here to learn more about Linux equivalents to software commonly used in Windows [14].

There is a smaller selection of peripheral hardware drivers for Linux.  There is a smaller selection of peripheral hardware drivers (for printers, scanners, and other devices) in Linux as compared to Windows, though many new Linux hardware drivers are constantly being added. Closely related to this issue is the fact that not all Linux distros work with all sets of computer hardware, so a person may need to try more than one distro to find one which works well with his/her computer. When it comes to printers, some manufacturers offer better Linux support than others; for example, HP offers excellent printer support for Linux.

There is a learning curve for people who are new to Linux.  Despite this, most Linux distros, especially the major ones, are very intuitive and user-friendly. Also, the desktop environments in Linux are in many ways similar to Windows in their appearance. One thing which should be emphasized is that there is also a learning curve for Windows XP users who switch to Windows 7 or Windows 8. 

2...

COMPARISON BETWEEN ANDROIDS AND WINDOWS IN SMARTPHONE

ANDROID            WINDOWS 8

l Android is currently sitting at version 4.2, which is another iteration of the popular Jelly Bean OS. Jelly Bean built upon the work done by 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, with everything being much smoother with 'Project Butter', and the introduction of Google Now.

Pretty much every OEM has placed a skin over the top of Android, take a look at HTC's Sense, Samsung's Touchwiz or Huawei's Emotion UI.

That said, nigh on every version builds on the use of multiple home screens populated with widgets, and apps being kept tidy in a 'drawer'.

                l Microsoft's offering bases itself around a system of 'LiveTiles'. These are used in a similar way to widgets on Android, providing information at a quick glance. Users of Windows Phone 7, or Windows 8 on tablets or desktops will feel right at home.

In terms of user customisation, much like iOS, Windows Phone 8 is relatively closed. Live Tiles can be resized, so that more important tiles can take up more screen real estate, and the tile colour can be any of 20 variations. It is also possible to change the lock screen, to bring up photos, or widgets and notifications.

l Android's camera app is one that gets a lick of paint with each UI that is placed over the top. Also, with the incredible variation in Android devices, each camera is different, the HTC One being most notable for camera tech with UltraPixel and HTC Zoe, or there is Samsung with Burst Mode found on the Galaxy S3 or S4. That said, there is an underlying theme that graces Android's camera and gallery app. Photo filters are common place, even the basic Android devices offer Sepia, Monochrome and Negative effects. Gallery apps are a little more varied, however most can pull down images from the cloud, from Picasa/Google+ web albums, with some going so far as Facebook albums too.          

l Being a unified OS across all devices, Windows Phone 8 camera settings are common. Pinch to zoom has been brought in, and the ability to take photos by tapping the screen making the app feel a little more natural. There is also the idea of 'lenses', that allow you to use camera tools that you have downloaded, rather than via a separate app.

l Playing catch up in the media department, Google has launched its Play Books, Play Magazines, Play Movies and Play Music apps. Whilst nowhere near as popular as the iTunes version, media downloading is now a lot easier on Android devices.

Downloading apps is also very easy, as Google's rebranded Play Store has become a very attractive and very functional marketplace, with different sections and lists of apps for you to peruse. Auto updating is available, and disable-able too.

                l The Windows Phone 8 and BlackBerry app stores are far less populated in comparison to both the Google and Apple offerings, although we would be doing them a disservice by calling their offerings sparse (BB10 has 120,000apps compared to iOS' 900,000), especially given that the Microsoft OS has Xbox compatibility.

Since Android 2.2 Froyo, apps to microSD has been a standard feature, alongside its long supported media storage feature. App installation on microSD is also supported via Windows Phone 8, with standard microSD support also being available in BB10.

l Android has supported NFC for a while. Android Beam has been used on devices to share data since Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Certain manufacturers have taken it a little further, with Samsung adding it's S title to create S Beam. Google's wallet application is also likely to make use of NFC as mobile payment becomes increasingly popular.  

l Windows Phone 8 also packs in NFC support, with its very own Microsoft Wallet app to rival Google's version, and BlackBerry has long had NFC in its handsets so it's no surprise BB10 also makes use of the technology.

l Android has had its notifications bar longer than Apple, so it has come on in leaps and bounds. Jelly Bean also brings in expandable notifications, showing more information about the top event, as well as being able to swipe to dismiss.

Many custom UI's include access to the quick settings (Touchwiz has gotten this nigh on perfect) in the notifications bar. Android also include a Power Control widget that can be placed on home screens, giving quick access to a lot of important settings.

               

l Notifications aren't something that ever made it over to Windows Phone 8, however there are strong suggestions that there is a notifications centre making it over in Windows Phone 8.1. Notifications are viewable from the lock screen.

l There has been no such problems for mapping on Android, given that Google has managed to port across its Google Maps desktop browser application so successfully.

Google maps provides one of the most comprehensive mapping apps available, as well as being able to provide information through its Local app, and sat-navving via the Navigation app. Google's recent acquisition of Waze is going to throw in user based traffic updates as well.

               

l icrosoft has also got a decent map app. Bing maps brings over many features that were prevalent throughout Nokia phones of old, including Nokia's turn-by-turn directions from Nokia Drive. Other useful features include downloading maps for offline use, pinning favourite locations and Local Scout (similar to Google's Local).

l Since Ice Cream Sandwich, Google has mobilised its Chrome browser, which now interestingly sits alongside the native Android Internet app. We've not understood why both browsers are run side by side, but it provides a little choice. Google bookmarks can be synced across, and incognito browsing is available too.            

l Internet Explorer is available on Windows Phone 8 devices, with the version being nearly identical to IE10, even if it looks a little different. Internet Explorer is a very accomplished mobile browser overall, and comes with the Do Not Track feature by default, as well as SmartScreen phishing protection.

l Google's multi-tasking has been handled for a long time through the long press of the home button, if the device has one, or through the dedicated button on total touch screen devices. This brings up a quick window of what was last on the app whilst you were using it, and can be swiped to dismiss.

l Windows Phone 8 has a similar method of bringing up its multi-tasking window. Long pressing the back button brings up the multi-tasking screen, allowing users to flick across to the app they wish to use.

l Android Jelly Bean has been around for two years now, available on devices from multiple OEMs, and with devices now being launched 4.1 or 4.2. There is a lot of talk of Android 4.3 Jelly Bean also being released at some point this year, and rumours of the Key Lime Pie (Android 5.x) also being launched this year.

It is available on the highest end devices, from a variety of OEMs, such as the five star HTC One, and at the bottom end of the market on devices such as the LG Optimus L3 2.

               

l Windows Phone 8 is also available on devices from different OEMs, with Nokia Lumia devices being the most talked about. HTC, Samsung and Huawei also have their own devices out and about.

Talk of Windows Phone Blue, or 8.1 has also been bandied about, with an expected release alongside Windows 8.1. Current devices span the market, again from a variety of OEMs, with the high end Nokia Lumia 925, or the low end Lumia 520.

 

Android Jelly Bean Advantages

Android is an open type of system that is generally a Linux based platform, and the 4.1 and 4.2 Jelly Bean versions are no exception. One of the biggest advantages this Android version has going for it, and that Android in general holds, is that it is extremely and very easily customizable. Each smartphone that runs on the operating system comes with a specific user interface that is generally easy to use and allows you to customize the look of your device with a variety of skins or themes, wallpapers and the ability to create widgets based on the apps you have on your phone.

The notification bar on the Jelly Bean operating system has also been redesigned so that it is more noticeable and attractive. You no longer need to swipe over the top bar to bring the screen down, which is what longtime Android users have had to do. In addition, Jelly Bean has support for more languages in its keyboard. Some of the newest supported languages include Arabic, Hindi and Persian.

Google Now is included in Android’s Jelly Bean powered smartphones. This app is generally like the Siri voice assistant feature that has appeared in Apple devices since the iPhone 4S. It does everything Siri does and more.

Windows Phone 8 Advantages

Windows Phone 8 has advantages as well. The user interface is simple and clean and boasts a great metro look that includes live tiles and the ability to customize your home screen with apps of your choice and making them the size of your choice from small, medium and large. Windows Phone 8 is easy to use and a refreshing change from the other, older operating systems found in smartphones.

Another advantage Windows Phone 8 holds over Android’s Jelly Bean is that phones that run on it consume considerably less battery power. In general, Windows Phone provides enough juice to last the user all day and sometimes into the next. This is largely due to the fact that it is easy to close apps that are running in the background and the phones run on a dual-core processor instead of quad-core processors that have to work twice as hard.

While the Windows Phone Store still has a great ways to go before it can compete in terms of the number of apps available – it currently has 125,000 while Android’s Google Play is home to 650,000 – all of the most essential apps are already available. Apps like Facebook, Skype, WhatsApp Messenger, Evernote and Angry Birds are all in the Windows Phone Store.

Windows Phone 8 also integrates its People Hub with the most popular social networking websites and email hosts. The integration is quite gorgeous and installation of apps such as Facebook, for instance, are not necessary as it is already built into the phones. All of your updates are updated on the home screen, which is something that cannot be done in Jelly Bean.