New Perspectives on Computer Concepts 2011 Instructor’s Manual1 of 20

Computer Concepts

Chapter Four: Operating Systems and File Management

A Guide to this Instructor’s Manual:

We have designed this Instructor’s Manual to supplement and enhance your teaching experience through classroom activities and a cohesive chapter summary.

This document is organized chronologically, using the same heading in bluethat you see in the textbook.Under each heading you will find (in order): Lecture Notes that summarize the section, Figures and Boxes found in the section (if any), Teacher Tips, Classroom Activities, and Lab Activities.Pay special attention to teaching tips, and activities geared towards quizzing your students, enhancing their critical thinking skills, and encouraging experimentation within the software.

In addition to this Instructor’s Manual, our Instructor’s Resources CD also contains PowerPoint Presentations, Test Banks, and other supplements to aid in your teaching experience.

For your students:

Our latest online feature, CourseCasts, is a library of weekly podcasts designed to keep your students up to date with the latest in technology news.Direct your students to where they can download the most recent CourseCast onto their mp3 player. Ken Baldauf, host of CourseCasts, is a faculty member of the Florida State University Computer Science Department, where he is responsible for teaching technology classes to thousands of FSU students each year. Ken is an expert in the latest technology and sorts through and aggregates the most pertinent news and information for CourseCasts so your students can spend their time enjoying technology, rather than trying to figure it out. Open or close your lecture with a discussion based on the latest CourseCast.

Table of Contents

Chapter Objectives / 2
Section A: Operating System Basics / 3
Section B: Today’s Operating Systems / 5
Section C: File Basics / 8
Section D: File Management / 10
Section E: Backup Security / 14
Glossary of Key Terms / 19

Chapter Objectives

Students will have mastered the material in Chapter Fourwhen they can answer the following questions:

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  • What are system resources?
  • How do multitasking, multithreading, and multiprocessingwork?
  • What is a memory leak?
  • When do users interact with the operating system?
  • How do GUIs differ from command line interfaces?
  • What happens during the boot process?
  • Which operating systems are typically used on personal computers,on servers, and on handheld devices?
  • What is a virtual machine?
  • Do operating systems put limits on the names that can beused for files?
  • What is a file specification or path?
  • What is a native file format?
  • Are there guidelines for managing files so that they are easyto locate and back up?
  • What happens behind the scenes when a computer stores afile?
  • How do I devise a backup plan?
  • What is the best backup device?
  • How does backup software work?
  • How do restore points, bare-metal restore, disk imaging,virtual machines, boot disks, and recovery disks relate tobackup?

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READING ASSIGNMENT FASTPOLL T/F QUESTIONS:

040100 An operating system manages a computer’s resources such as the processor, RAM, and storage space. (Answer: True) (185)

040200Multithreadingprovides process and memory management services thatallow two or more tasks, jobs, or programs to run simultaneously. (Answer: False) (186)

040300 GUI stands for “graphic usability icons.” (Answer: False) (189)

040400 A bootstrap program is a popular type of application software. (Answer: False) (192)

040500 During a computing session, the operating system is executed from RAM. (Answer: True) (193)

040600 The Windows kernel is the same as the Mac OS kernel. (Answer: False) (195)

040700 Macs featured a graphical user interface before PCs. (Answer: True) (198)

040800 Boot Camp is a dual boot utility for Macs. (Answer: True) (199)

040900 Mac files have a data fork and a resource fork. (Answer: True) (200)

041000 Fedora, Mandrivia, and SUSE are Linux distributions. (Answer: True) (201)

041100 A disk partition is basically a folder. (Answer: False) (205)

041200 A file specification is also called a path. (Answer: True) (206)

041300 Windows Explorer is a file management utility. (Answer: True) (216)

041400 Disks are formatted into tracks and sectors. (Answer: True) (218)

041500 Time Machine is synchronization software used for backup on Macs. (Answer: True) (226)

041600 To repopulate a new hard disk from an incremental backup, you have to first restore a full backup. (Answer: True) (228)

041700 A boot disk contains a complete copy of your computer’s hard disk as it existed when the computer was new. (Answer: False) (229)

SECTION A: OPERATING SYSTEM BASICS

SECTION A OPENER QUESTION:

042100 A computer handles many tasks simultaneously. Which one of the following refers to the processor’s ability to handle multiple tasks, rather than the operating systems ability to do so?

a.Multi-core

b.Multitasking

c.Multithreading

d.Multiprocessing

(Answer: a)

Operating System Activities (184)

LECTURE NOTES

  • Students have difficulty understanding operating systems and their functions. Explain that a computer purchased without an operating system is nothing more than a box with hardware components. The operating system software makes the connection with the hardware to display the Windows desktop.
  • Stress that the operating system software does not have the capability to create a letter or a spreadsheet. It is the controller of the hardware and the application environment.
  • Use Figure 4-6 to introduce the Control Panel. The Control Panel presents a good overview of the tasks of an operating system.

FIGURES

  • Figure 4-1, Figure 4-2, Figure 4-3, Figure 4-4, Figure 4-5, Figure 4-6

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES

  • Assign a Project: Have students perform an Internet search and see what information they can find about operating systems. What operating systems are available? Can they find good descriptions of how operating systems work? What are the pros and cons of each type of OS?
  • Quick Quiz:
  1. The ______interacts with application software, device drivers,and hardware to manage a computer’s resources. (Answer: operating system)
  2. Within a single program, ______allows multiple parts, or threads, to run simultaneously. (Answer: multithreading)
  3. True/False: An operating system’s multiprocessing capability supports a division of labor among all the processing units. (Answer: True)

User Interfaces (189)

LECTURE NOTES

  • Show as many different operating systems as you can, focusing on the user interface.
  • Show how to perform a typical task in a command-line OS and how to perform the same task in a GUI.
  • Demonstrate how to display a list of files, start a program, or copy a file.
  • Use the demonstration computer to show how Windows or Mac OS use the various desktop elements like icons, windows, and menu bars to facilitate the user experience.
  • Discuss the ways in which the myriad options available to a user of a given application are presented via these mechanisms, and discuss how the user is, to a large degree, allowed to work the way he or she wants to, because of the many different ways that exist to perform a function.

FIGURES

  • Figure 4-7, Figure 4-8, Figure 4-9, Figure 4-10, Figure 4-11, Figure 4-12

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES

  • Class Discussion: After outlining the characteristics of each OS, ask students to debate the merits of two or more operating systems.
  • Quick Quiz:
  1. A(n) ______is the combination of hardware and software that helps people and computers communicate. (Answer: user interface)
  2. A(n) ______user interface requires users to type commands. (Answer: command-line)
  3. True/False: All of the popular operating systems use graphical user interfaces. (Answer: True)

The Boot Process (192)

LECTURE NOTES

  • Review the six major events that occur during the boot process.
  • Discuss why the operating system cannot simply be left in memory, even with the advent of EEPROM.

FIGURES

  • Figure 4-13

TEACHER TIP

If possible, use a classroom computer to demonstrate the boot process.

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES

  • Assign a Project: Use Windows Task Manager to view a list of the processes that are being executed by the microprocessor on the computer in your classroom.
  • Quick Quiz:
  1. The ______provides essential operating system services, such as memory management and file access. (Answer: kernel)
  2. True/False: A GUI provides a way to point and click a mouse to select menu options and manipulate graphical objects that are displayed on the screen. (Answer: True)
  3. ______provides process and memory management services that allow two or more tasks, jobs, or programs to run simultaneously.

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  1. Multitasking
  2. Multithreading
  3. Networking
  4. Multiprocessing

New Perspectives on Computer Concepts 2011 Instructor’s Manual1 of 20

(Answer: a.)

SECTION B: TODAY’S OPERATING SYSTEMS

SECTION B OPENER QUESTION:

042200 Today’s popular operating systems include Windows, Mac OS, Linux, Android, and Google Chrome. Each has strengths as weaknesses that are important to understand. Which of the following statements is correct?

  1. Google Chrome is built on the Windows kernel, so it is ideal for netbooks because it has good resistance to malware.
  2. If you don’t like the user interface for Windows but want to run the vast variety of Windows software, you can install Linux.
  3. Linux and Mac OS have a reputation for being more stable than Windows.
  4. Windows includes software called Boot Camp that allows PCs to boot into different operating systems, such as Mac OS, Linux, Chrome, and Android.

(Answer: c)

Microsoft Windows (194)

LECTURE NOTES

  • Discuss Figure 4-15.
  • Explain that Windows has a long history as a leading operating system.
  • Review the changes that have occurred in operating systems over time and discuss the impact these changes have had on personal computing.

FIGURES

  • Figure 4-14, Figure 4-15, Figure 4-16

TEACHER TIP

Discuss the prevalence of Windows with students. Note that more than 80% of all PCs are running Windows. Is this a good thing? Many computer viruses take advantages of weaknesses in the Windows operating system that are not a threat to computers running UNIX or Linux.

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES

  • Class Discussion: Ask students to discuss their experiences with Microsoft Windows. Why do they think Windows is so popular? What are the strengths and weaknesses of Windows in their opinions? What are their opinions about the Vista software? Do they like/dislike it and why?
  • Quick Quiz:
  1. Microsoft Windows is installed on more than ______% of the world’s personal computer. (Answer: 80)
  2. True/False: The number and variety of programs that run on Windows are unmatched by any other operating system. (Answer: True)
  3. True/False: Windows has been criticized for two major weaknesses: reliability and security. (Answer: True)

LAB ACTIVITY

The New Perspectives Lab “Managing Files” deals with issues that relate to this section of the textbook. You might want to go through the lab during class time if you have a computer with a projection device. Or, assign this lab for students to do outside of class.

Mac OS (197)

LECTURE NOTES

  • Compare Mac OS vs. Windows.
  • Ask students whether they use the Mac or Windows OS. Discuss the differences from a user perspective.
  • Introduce the dual boot. A major recent innovation has been the ability of the Mac OS X on an Intel Mac to run both software designed for the Macintosh and software designed for Windows. What are the implications of this development? Do you expect it to have a significant impact in this area?

TEACHER TIP

For emphasis, as an in-class demonstration, set up two computers side-by-side and run the Mac OS on one and Windows on the other. Let students explore each to determine their opinions of the operating systems.

FIGURES

  • Figure 4-17, Figure 4-18, Figure 4-19, Figure 4-20

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES

  • Class Discussion: Ask students to identify themselves as Mac or PC users. Divide students into groups according to their responses and ask them to debate the pros and cons of each system.
  • Quick Quiz:
  1. ______refers to the ability to work with products designed for prior-generation hardware or software. (Answer: Backward compatibility)
  2. True/False: Mac OS X has a reputation for being a difficult-to-use operating system. (Answer: False)
  3. True/False: Mac OS X on an Intel Mac offers the ability to run Windows and Windows application software. (Answer: True)

UNIX and Linux (201)

LECTURE NOTES

  • Explain that Linux is a free operating system.
  • Visit a Linux Web site, or if you have access to a computer running Linux, show students how to perform some tasks. Use it as a jumping-off point for a discussion of open source programming.

FIGURES

  • Figure 4-21

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES

  • Quick Quiz:
  1. True/False: UNIX and Linux are the same operating system. (Answer: False)
  2. True/False: Linux is designed for mainframes. (Answer: False)
  3. True/False: UNIX developed a good reputation for dependability. (Answer: True)

DOS (202)

LECTURE NOTES

  • Describe DOS.
  • While discussing operating systems, distinguish between desktop and server operating systems. The charts below emphasize the unique features of the different types of operating systems available:

DESKTOP OS / OUTSTANDING FEATURES
DOS / One of the first operating systems; command-line user interface
Mac OS / Designed by Apple computers; graphical user interface
Windows 95 / Features multitasking and networking capabilities
Windows 98 / Similar to Windows 95, but with increased disk and memory management
Windows Me / Similar to Windows 98, but with more features for the home user, including multimedia support
Windows 2000 / Increased security features; ability to support specialized applications
Windows XP / Redesigned structure and interface, improved safety and recovery tools, greater support for multimedia and networking
Windows Vista / Enhanced security, more flexible file management, more powerful search capabilities, and live icons that show document thumbnails
SERVER OS / OUTSTANDING FEATURES
Linux / Variation of UNIX; used as a server OS for microcomputers and minicomputers; available as freeware
Novell / Developed for microcomputer networks; typically used by network managers
UNIX / Designed as a minicomputer OS, now popular for all sizes of network and Web servers; makes use of both command-line and graphical interfaces

TEACHER TIP

If possible, demonstrate DOS on a classroom computer. Ask students their thoughts about DOS. Does this operating system seem like a foreign concept to them or are they familiar with it?

FIGURES

  • Figure 4-22

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES

  • Assign a Project: Have students search the Web for information about DOS and report their findings. Can they find good reasons to be familiar with DOS?
  • Quick Quiz:
  1. DOS stands for ______. (Answer: Disk Operating System)
  2. True/False: DOS is still a relevant, frequentlyused operating system. (Answer: False)

Handheld Operating Systems (202)

LECTURE NOTES

  • Explain the physical limitations of PDAs that dictate the features of their operating systems.

TEACHER TIP

If you have a PDA, use it to demonstrate the operating system. What features are similar to those of Windows and Mac OS? Which features are different?

FIGURES

  • Figure 4-23

SECTION C: FILE BASICS

SECTION C OPENER QUESTION:

042300 Suppose a friend sends you a file called Twain.dll. From the file name, what can you deduce?

  1. That it is a word processing document, probably about Mark Twain.
  2. That you should be able to open it using Microsoft Word.
  3. That the file extension makes it a virus.
  4. That it is a support program file, perhaps part of the device driver for your scanner.

(Answer: d)

File Names and Extensions (204)

LECTURE NOTES

  • Review the rules for naming files.
  • Discuss different file extensions.
  • Show the Open and Save As dialog boxes in applications such as Microsoft Word, Paint, WordPad, and PhotoShop. Click the Files of type list arrow to show the formats the application can open and which ones they can save. Some applications convert file formats when you use the Save As command and choose a different file type.

TEACHER TIP

File naming conventions differ by operating system. Have students start by learning the conventions only for the operating system they use in your school labs, then build on their knowledge for other operating systems. Trying to memorize rules for all the operating systems at one time may be difficult for a novice user.

TEACHER TIP

Finding files with specific names and specific folder locations is difficult for students. Have students save a file in Microsoft Word and then try to find the folder location. Most students do not look at the Save In drop down box when saving files.

FIGURES

  • Figure 4-24, Figure 4-25

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES

  • Group Activity: Divide the class into two groups and challenge the groups to list as many file extensions as they can think of or find on classroom computers. Which group can list the most?
  • Quick Quiz:
  1. A(n) ______is an optional file identifier that is separated from the main file name by a period. (Answer: file extension)
  2. True/False: Each operating system has a unique set of file-naming conventions. (Answer: True)
  3. True/False: Reserved words cannot be used as file names. (Answer: True)

File Directories and Folders (205)

LECTURE NOTES

  • Directories and subdirectories are a troublesome concept for many students. To explain, use the cardboard box analogy: each directory is a box; each box has a name. Boxes can contain papers (files) or folders (subdirectories).
  • Once students understand the idea of directories, explain that files are not physically stored in a structure that reflects the directory tree.
  • Although some people like to use a directory analogy in which each directory is like a slice of a pie or disk, the files in a directory are not necessarily stored in a certain physical area of the disk. The directory structure is a logical model that helps us think about the organization of files on a disk.
  • Describe file specifications.

TEACHER TIP

File size becomes especially important when disk space is limited. The file date becomes important when you are tracking work and want to make sure you have the most recent copy of a file. Compare file sizes of Word documents to Paint files and explain why the sizes vary.