Define what an Operating System does ?
An operating system (OS) is a set of programs that manages computer hardware resources, and provides common services for application software. The operating system is the most important type of system software in a computer system.
It also allows the user to change settings (Screen Resolution, Size, Mouse size,speed,colours, Creating and interting files into a folder)
It also allows the user to change settings (Screen Resolution, Size, Mouse size,speed,colours, Creating and interting files into a folder)
It starts with the user sending information to the application,the application then sends information to the Operating System then the operating sends a signal to the Hardrive and it sends it back to the user.
What are the main functions and services of an OS ?
The basic functions that an Operating System should provide include :
•Memory Management
•CPU and Process Management
•Information And Storage Management
•I/O Management
•Network Management
•Memory Management
•CPU and Process Management
•Information And Storage Management
•I/O Management
•Network Management
What is the difference between each a command line and gui interface?
A Graphical User Interface (GUI) is used when you can see pictures. You can programme the computer through the graphical interface. Windows XP and Mac OS use GUI rather than CUI
The Command User Interface (CUI) is when you have to use commands to interact with your computer. This means DOS and some versions of Linux do not have graphic interface because you have to send commands to access parts of the computer.
The Command User Interface (CUI) is when you have to use commands to interact with your computer. This means DOS and some versions of Linux do not have graphic interface because you have to send commands to access parts of the computer.
Difference between MAC And Windows
Differences with Windows and Mac OS X "OS X is a BSD Unix based operating system with a GUI which is more user friendly than Windows for many users. The OS allows for permissions based accounts, and has better access controls to limit the spread of malicious software (yes, there are viruses and proof of concepts which target Apple software), and protects the system folder from write actions unless a user has administrative privileges. The ease of use is often cited as a primary reason for educational institutions and art related business to defer to Apples.
Windows is prevalent in business environments, and has differing architectures based upon which flavour is installed (there are vast differences between 3.11, 95, 2000, XP, Vista, and 7) and the variations would best be researched on a product information site. Because of the popularity of Windows, malware and viruses are numerous, and an antivirus program is often the bare minimum that a user must use to protect their computing resources and data." (2)
Windows is prevalent in business environments, and has differing architectures based upon which flavour is installed (there are vast differences between 3.11, 95, 2000, XP, Vista, and 7) and the variations would best be researched on a product information site. Because of the popularity of Windows, malware and viruses are numerous, and an antivirus program is often the bare minimum that a user must use to protect their computing resources and data." (2)
Mac OSSecurity :
OS X has considerably fewer viruses developed for it as there is only a small amount of computers running the operating system, which is why it doesn't seem that valuable for hackers to develop a virus for. Less viruses for the operating system, allows Apple to stay on top of the most harmful ones and patch the vulnerabilities through software updates. As there is no need for anti-virus software (as a 'common' virus would not harm the mac) this means macs can still have their optimized performance without risking security. This is a huge strength of using the operating system, and a major selling point of the operating system. Advantage : No 3rd party viruses as less people use MAC OS. Disadvantage :The operating system isn’t affected by nearly as many issues as Windows, but people do debate Mac OS X should be tested as much as Windows. Interface : Mac has introduced the Launchpad which displays all the application icons. Launchpad has used the same interface as the iPads and iPhone where you can swipe to the next screen and drag icons into another icon to create a folder. This is much easier to navigate and use then previous interfaces. Disadvantage : As all third-party apps include the full screen mode that is used on MAC OS, desktop space will be needed for small single-window apps like iChat or Twitter you will have to move all the open icons to make space for full screen mode. Built-in software : Mail, iTunes, the Safari browser, iMovie video capturing all come with Mac OSX Software like photoshop, mircosoft office, safari, garageband are all things that are already on MAC Os when you get it, which is a plus. The downside of it is to get MAC Os you have to have a Mac first of all and they are roughly £900-£1500 which is expensive. The features on MAC Os are presented differently as to windows windows present each programme as an icon whether as MAC Os present their programmes on a thing called a 'dock'. This is something at the bottom where all the applications are together and has easy access to. Disadvantage:Ms Office will need to be purchased as an extra. Third Party Applications : Users are able to download MS Office on MAC OS. But you can download Windows on a MAC Disadvantage : Less people use MAC OS therefore there aren’t many designed applications for the users. Search : Spotlight is used to search things on MAC OS; it is always at the top right of the screen where ever you are. Spotlight intuitively finds possible choices grouped by category (documents, music, pictures, etc.) and often finds your quest before you finish typing. Back Up : You just launch Backup and Restore, then choose a destination for the backup. It is easy and straightforward to back-up files. |
Windows 7Security :
Windows is the target of multiple viruses and malicious malware software that is harmful to your computer. The reason for this is that there are hundreds of thousands of viruses for windows because of the large number of users it has, this has made it a bigger target for hackers. This is a negative point about the operating system. 3rd party anti-virus software is recommended for users of windows, even though there is anti-virus software built-in, it is not as strong as another type of anti-virus software e.g. Kaspersky. This need for an anti-virus package also affects the performance of a system, which is why Macs may seem overall faster. Windows 7 Enterprise edition features enhanced drive encryption. Disadvantage : More viruses as more people use Microsoft Interface : Windows 7’s interface hasn’t really changed as MAC OS has. But you get to see the page in a smaller view by hovering the mouse over the folder or icon which is on the bottom taskbar without pressing on the icon. Disadvantage :When you make the page smaller and move it to the corner it automatically resizes it and places it in the corner. Users may not want that to auto size so time will be spent trying to move it away from the corner so it doesn’t resize. Built-in software : Internet Explorer, Calculator, Games and some Windows Versions come with MS Office installed already. Disadvantage : The use of third-party programs for many services is recommended. Third Party Applications : More people use windows therefore there is more people designed applications for Windows Users Disadvantage : You cannot download MAC OS software on Windows other than Safari and I-tunes. Search : Windows 7 has introduced a new way of searching, simply go to the taskbar and type in what you are looking for and it will bring everything up. Disadvantage : Apple’s OS goes the extra mile by letting you preview files from within Spotlight. Lion also works faster and lets you extend your searches to the web. Whereas Windows does not let you preview files. Back Up : Time Machine is a great feature in Mac OS X .It lets you back up your entire system (documents, photos, files, etc.), and it’s easy to restore files by going back in time. The first time you connect a hard drive to your Mac, it will ask you if you want to use it as a backup drive with Time Machine. |
Overall MAC OS is better than Windows 7 because of MAC OS is cheaper and you get a better quality for cheaper and MAC OS is much faster than Windows. The reason why schools have chosen Windows Enterprise is because you can put it on more computers with having one license whereas you can't do have an OS on more than one mac which would be more expensive to buy individually. Also you may not be able to block certain sites on Mac Os which you can easily on Windows.
The reason why schools have chosen to use Windows 7 Enterprise is because more people use Windows rather than MAC and it is easier to use programmes that are needed for school such as MS Office on Windows than MAC. It is also more complicated to use for students as they may of have first learnt how to use a computer using Windows rather than MAC, it will be more simple to operate than MAC OS. Also more people use Windows and there are more software's which are designed for schools on Windows Enterprise. It also has more features that the older versions of windows as on Windows Enterprise the school can block social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook and other sites which are not necessary at school . Also users without admin access cannot download programmes or change settings which could lead to viruses/hackers. Having Windows 7 enterprise edition is much better than Windows Home edition because you will have to install it on each system but whereas Windows 7 Enterprise you can download it and change files remotely which is quicker and less time consuming. Schools are also more likely to run the Enterprise edition of Windows 7 as it is more suited for educational institutions. The reason being it is easy to install compared to a non enterprise edition of Windows 7 over a network, and is less time consuming than having the Home edition of Windows which would require individual installation on each computer. Administer accounts and user accounts are all easier to manage over the network as well; this allows for user files/and or accounts settings to be to remotely managed.
The enterprise edition also has more features than the other editions, such as software restriction. This is useful because it allows the administrators to limit what software the students can access. This is also beneficial for security reasons, as it doesn't allow any malicious software to be installed on the system or the network.