1. Describe system software. Discuss each of the four types of system programs.
  2. System software is not a single program but is a collection of programs that handles hundreds of technical details
  3. Operating systemscoordinate computer resources
  4. Utilitiesperform tasks related to managing the computer resources
  5. Device driversprograms that allow devices to communicate with the computer system
  6. Language translators converts programming instructions into a language the computers understand
  7. Define operating systems. Describe the basic features and the three categories of operating systems.
  8. Operating systems collection of programs that handle technical tasks or referred to as software environment or software platform some OS’ are designed to run only on specific platforms.
  9. Embedded OS – used for handheld devices
  10. Network operating systems (NOS) – control and coordinate networked computers. OS is stored on the network server
  11. Stand-alone – or desktop operating systems control a single desktop computer
  12. What are mobile operating systems? Describe leading mobile operating systems.
  13. Mobile operating systems also known as mobile OS are embedded OS
  14. Android – owned by Google
  15. iOS - formerly iPhone OS, iPadand iPhone
  16. Windows Phone 8 – introduced by Microsoft to support a variety of devices including smartphones
  17. What are desktop operating systems? Compare Windows, Mac OS, Linux and Chrome OS. Discuss virtualization.
  18. Desktop operating systems are Operating systems commonly used by individuals
  19. Windows– most widely used
  20. Windows 7 – traditional user interface. Released in 2009
  21. Windows 8 – integrated desktop and mobile. Released in 2012
  22. Uses tiles to display active content linked to applications.
  23. Tiles can be accessed through the start screen
  24. Can still get the traditional desktop, Windows RT , to run on the tablet
  25. More application programs are designed to run under Windows than any other operating system
  26. Mac OS – powerful and easy to use
  27. Mac OS – not as widely used as Windows, designed to run on a MAC
  28. Mac OS X – most widely used MAC OS; has two versions.
  29. OS X Mountain Lion – released in 2012
  30. OS X Mavericks – released in 2012
  31. UNIX – network; originally designed for Web
  32. UNIX – originally designed to run on minicomputers but now is used in network environments
  33. Used by powerful microcomputers and by servers on the Web
  34. There are a large number of different versions of UNIX
  35. LINUX – nonproprietary; free from the Web
  36. LINUX – operating system that is an extension of UNIX versions
  37. Free distribution of the operating system code – Open source
  38. Google’s Chrome OS is based on Linux
  1. Virtualization – supporting multiple OS that operate independently by running virtualization software, Each OS is known as a virtual machine
  1. Discuss utilities. What are the most essential utilities? What is a utility suite?
  2. Utilities – specialized programs designed to make computing easier
  3. Troubleshooting programor diagnostic program recognize and correct problems
  4. Antivirus programguard your computer against viruses
  5. Backup program makes copies of files to restore if the originals are damaged
  6. File compression programreduces the size of the file requiring less storage space
  7. Utility Suites combine several programs into one package
  1. Explain the role of device drivers. Discuss the Add a Device Wizard and Windows Update.
  2. Device drivers - programs that work with the operating system to allow communication between device(s) and the rest of the physical system. Device drivers are also referred to simply as “drivers”
  3. Step-by-step guidance is offered by Windows in the form of wizards that assist with installing drivers “Add a Device Wizard”
  4. Drivers can also be easily updated in Windows by utilizing the Windows Update functionality