Lesson 8 Looking Atoperating Systems

Looking at Operating Systems Lesson 8

Unit 2

Lesson 8 Looking atOperating Systems

Objectives
In this lesson, you will look at the operating system and how it affects what you can do on the computer. On completion, you should be familiar with:
o what an operating system is
o identifying different operating systems
o how operating systems interact with other computers / o capabilities and limitations of operating systems
o common problems related to operating systems
Skills
1-3.1.1 Identify the purpose of an operating system
1-3.1.2 Identify different operating systems
1-3.1.3 Identify that a computer user may interact with multiple operating systems while performing everyday tasks
1-3.1.4 Identify the capabilities and limitations imposed by the operating system including levels of user rights (administrative rights, etc.) which determine what a user can and cannot do (install software, download files, change system settings, etc.)
1-3.1.5 Identify and solve common problems related to operating systems

Looking at Operating Systems

1-3.1.1 1-3.1.2 1-3.1.3 1-3.1.4 1-3.1.5

An operating system or environment is a collection of programs designed to control the computer’s interaction and communication with the user. It performs two important functions:

· manages the input devices (keyboard and mouse), output devices (monitor and printer), and storage devices (hard, flash, and optical drives)

· manages the files stored on the computer and recognizes the file types to complete tasks

Every computer requires an operating system to function. A computer must load the operating system into memory before it can load any application program.

Examples of operating systems include DOS, Windows, Unix, Linux, and the Mac OS.

DOS was the original operating system for the PC; it stands for Disk Operating System. It was text-based software and required single line commands to perform functions for managing files.

With the exception of a system using the Unix operating system, all other computers use a graphical operating system like Windows or Mac OS. This is the standard for operating systems and the display capabilities make working with design elements on the screen much easier.

The graphical user interface (GUI), also known as “gooey,” enables you to use a pointing device to point and select functions. Many of these functions or commands appear as buttons or have a picture or symbol, known as an icon, to represent the task. Software vendors design their programs to use the same buttons, symbols, or pictures for commonly used functions (such as copy, paste, bold, save, print, and so on) to reduce time needed to learn new software.

Microsoft Windows Vista

Vista is an operating system for PCs. Windows products include a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) screen display, which provides an instant preview of what is available. The following is an example of the first screen you will see when you start the computer and the operating system loads into memory.

Mac OS

This operating system is designed for Apple Macintosh computers. It uses the graphics interface so that working on the computer will be much easier and faster. This was one of the original graphic user interface systems and set the standard for true WYSIWYG programs. Newer versions of the Macintosh operating systems use Unix as its underlying structure, providing a very secure and stable operating environment.

Unix

This operating system was released in the early 1970s by programmers for programmers. The system was designed with portability in mind for multiple uses and users. The main drawback to this operating system is that it is based on one-line commands controlling the functions. This system is very popular with universities and scientific or research organizations.

Linux

This operating system is based on Unix with a graphical user interface. This system is readily available and very popular for use with high-end servers, and also with entrepreneurial software developers.

Handheld Operating Systems

These operating systems work with a PDA device; the options for each system vary depending on the type of handheld device.

Embedded Operating Systems

These operating systems manage and control operations for the specific types of equipment for which they are designed, such as a vehicle, a machine that controls robotic manufacturing, or a piece of medical equipment. When turned on, the embedded operating system follows a process similar to those used in typical computing devices, but it recognizes the purpose of the specialized equipment.

Some manufacturers are embedding a modified version of Windows for their programs so they simulate a PC environment, such as with point of sale systems used in restaurants and retail stores.

Using Different Operating Systems

As noted, a computer may have an OS other than Windows installed. Many organizations recognize that not all users at one site will use the same operating system or computer type. Consequently, operating systems are designed to interact with each other to share data or communicate.

An organization will have a network system to manage and control the resources and data for that network that may be a combination of one or more servers with varying operating systems, as well as devices to secure these servers and the data stored there. One of the network operating systems will be set to identify the hardware that a person is using as well as this person’s rights to network access. This can be internal during business hours, or external if the person has remote access to the network. For example, John Smith uses a PC notebook at work to log on to the network and the Internet to view his messages. At home, John uses a Mac notebook to access the Internet and then the company’s network via remote access. The company’s network recognizes the user as John Smith and enables him to access his messages at home, even though he uses a different operating system there. He will also be able to work on documents on the home notebook, even though they were created or modified on the PC notebook at work.

John may also be a sales person who travels a lot and uses a PDA to send and receive messages. All messages are processed through the network, even when he is working on the PDA in a remote location. John needs to identify himself to the network and, once logged on, can interact with the network as if he were in the office.

Equipment with embedded operating systems interact with larger systems that may also have network operating systems installed. Take the example of someone who takes their vehicle to the dealership for maintenance. The mechanic will connect the vehicle’s operating system to a computer that is connected to a server at the vehicle vendor’s head office. Updates can then occur between the server and the vehicle’s operating system.

Identifying Capabilities and Limitations

Operating systems have advantages and disadvantages; how applicable these are depend on the type of system you have and what your requirements are. Following are some examples of capabilities and limitations with operating systems:

· You can save files using names that are up to 255 characters long, enabling a detailed description of a file’s contents.

· If you are using a PC, you cannot include certain characters (\ / : * < > ? |), whereas on an Mac only the colon cannot be used in file names.

· You can open two or more programs at the same time; the only restriction is the amount of RAM available to process changes to files in each program.

· You can customize an operating system to your preference by changing the background, the color, or the screensaver. On a network environment, your customization options may be restricted; for example, you may not be allowed to change system settings as this could lead to hardware problems, or you may have to adhere to company standards for colors, background picture, and so on. In some school environments, the network is set to provide a standard format for the operating system so that any custom changes revert to default when the computer is shut down.

· On a stand-alone computer, you may be able to install programs or download items from the Internet. In an organization, you may not have access to perform such tasks. (You may also be restricted from activities on a stand-alone computer if you do not have administrative rights for that computer.)

· Your access to files that could modify part or all of a network could be restricted. For example, you may be able to view the contents of folders for other departments but you cannot move or delete any of these files. You can make a copy of the file to your own folder but you cannot do anything to the original.

Common Issues with Operating Systems

Some aspects of every operating system can give rise to problems. These may include:

· Incompatibility between a software application and the operating system may prevent software programs from working. For example, you may be able to install and use older software on newer operating systems, but you cannot run a software program designed for a newer operating system on a system with an older operating system.

· An error message may appear indicating that a device does not work, usually because the operating system cannot identify the hardware. Many hardware vendors provide newer versions of drivers or the installation files so the new operating system can recognize your device.

· Problems with operating system files can arise from power failures, shutting down the computer incorrectly, installing too much software on your system or installing it incorrectly, a virus infecting your system, or a conflict between the software and the operating system. Operating system files have specific tasks built into the setup for each device or software program. Never delete any program files from the folders where they reside. If you see an error message indicating that a file is missing or corrupted, you will need to reinstall the software for that file.

· If your system displays many error messages or requires you to restart the computer several times, you should check with someone who is experienced with computers to reinstall or upgrade the operating system on your system. This is also true if the computer asks you to start the operating system in “safe” mode; this is an indicator that there is something wrong with the operating system and it may need to be installed again.

· The operating system or an application program may fail after an update. In the case of the operating system, you may need to uninstall the update to the operating system to see if the problem still exists. You may need an IT specialist to assist with the latter.

· If you see an error message indicating you do not have access to a particular PC, drive, software program, file, or folder, it generally means that the login ID you have used is incorrect, or that network restrictions have been placed on your ID. For example, you may only have three attempts to enter the password correctly; after that, you will need to contact the network administrator to reset the password or unlock your account.

Summary
In this lesson, you looked at the operating system and how it affects what you can do on the computer. You should now be familiar with:
þ what an operating system is
þ identifying different operating systems
þ how operating systems interact with other computers / þ capabilities and limitations of operating systems
þ common problems related to operating systems

Review Questions

1. An operating system is a collection of programs designed to control the computer’s interaction and communication with the user.

a. True b. False

2. An example of interaction between operating systems is the transfer of data between a notebook and a PDA.

a. True b. False

3. If you changed the background color yesterday and it is the original color again today, why did the color not remain with the preference you chose?

a. You do not have rights to change the background color.

b. The computer was set to revert to the original color when it was shut down.

c. You cannot change anything in the operating system.

d. Any of the above

e. a or c

4. It is crucial that you do not change any of the operating system files without working with an IT specialist.

a. True b. False

5. What should you try if you cannot open an application program after updating Windows?

a. Uninstall the Windows update

b. Uninstall the application program

c. Make sure the file is valid

d. Any of the above

e. a or c

Looking at the Windows Desktop Lesson 9

Lesson 9 Looking at theWindows Desktop

Objectives
In this lesson, you will be introduced to the Windows desktop and how to navigate around in Windows. On successful completion, you will be familiar with:
o how to start and exit Windows
o what the Windows desktop is
o how to use the Start button / o how to use the taskbar
o how to manipulate windows
Skills
1-3.2.1 Shut down, restart, log on and log off the computer
1-3.2.2 Identify elements of the operating system desktop
1.3.2.3 Manipulate windows
1.3.2.4 Start and run programs

Looking at the Windows Desktop

1-3.2.1 1-3.2.2 1-3.2.3 1-3.2.4

Once Windows loads, the desktop will look similar to the following screen. You will notice several objects or icons on the desktop that will vary from one system to another depending on how the system was set up.