The ABC's of operating systems.
Users of computers mush have heard the term," operating systems". But how many are really aware of the exact tasks of the same. Do you all know that it is the most important component of your computer? Any laptop or desktop pc that you normally buy these days comes with Windows XP operating system and Macintosh computers with OS X. Various corporate servers use Linux or UNIX operating systems. An operating system is the initial thing to be loaded onto any computer.
Of late operating systems have even been made available in smaller computers too. Operating systems are even available in wireless access points and cell phones. The systems in these small devices are so advanced that are capable of actually running operating systems and applications. In any device that has an operating system, there is usually a way to make changes as to how the device works, thus changes and modifications can be done without taking the device apart. Operating systems cannot be seen in every computer. For example, the computer that controls the microwave oven doesn't need one as it has only one specific set of tasks to run in a hardware environment that never changes.
The purpose of operating systems is to organize and control hardware's and software's so that the device it operates in works in an adaptable and predictable manner. An operating system gives the capacity to give out a variety of purposes, interact with computer users in less complicated manners and keep up to date with requirements that keep changing with time.
The common operating systems used worldwide are Windows family developed by Microsoft, operating systems by Macintosh are developed by Apple and operating systems of the UNIX family (which was developed by many collaborators, corporations and individuals.) There are many other operating systems available in the market specially crafted for special-purpose applications like, robotics, manufacturing, real time control systems, mainframes, etc.
The basic tasks of operating system is to manage the hardware and software resources used by the system, and provide a stable, consistent method for applications to deal with hardware in less complicated, in-technical manners. This is the challenge faced by operating system developers to keep the operating systems flexible to run hardware from thousands of vendors manufacturing computer equipment with the ever changing technologies.
The operating system is also responsible to manage the processor, memory, devices, storage, application interfaces and user interfaces.
These are the basics of operating systems, the knowledge of which will benefit all users of computers and systems with operating systems, to help make wise choices in the future.
Of late operating systems have even been made available in smaller computers too. Operating systems are even available in wireless access points and cell phones. The systems in these small devices are so advanced that are capable of actually running operating systems and applications. In any device that has an operating system, there is usually a way to make changes as to how the device works, thus changes and modifications can be done without taking the device apart. Operating systems cannot be seen in every computer. For example, the computer that controls the microwave oven doesn't need one as it has only one specific set of tasks to run in a hardware environment that never changes.
The purpose of operating systems is to organize and control hardware's and software's so that the device it operates in works in an adaptable and predictable manner. An operating system gives the capacity to give out a variety of purposes, interact with computer users in less complicated manners and keep up to date with requirements that keep changing with time.
The common operating systems used worldwide are Windows family developed by Microsoft, operating systems by Macintosh are developed by Apple and operating systems of the UNIX family (which was developed by many collaborators, corporations and individuals.) There are many other operating systems available in the market specially crafted for special-purpose applications like, robotics, manufacturing, real time control systems, mainframes, etc.
The basic tasks of operating system is to manage the hardware and software resources used by the system, and provide a stable, consistent method for applications to deal with hardware in less complicated, in-technical manners. This is the challenge faced by operating system developers to keep the operating systems flexible to run hardware from thousands of vendors manufacturing computer equipment with the ever changing technologies.
The operating system is also responsible to manage the processor, memory, devices, storage, application interfaces and user interfaces.
These are the basics of operating systems, the knowledge of which will benefit all users of computers and systems with operating systems, to help make wise choices in the future.
Types of operating systems.
We all know that the operating system is the most important software running on your computer without which one cannot run even the application software's which are designed to communicate with the hardware through the operating system. Are you aware that there are many types of operating systems available in the market to suit various needs and machines?
The types of the operating systems can be classified as single program and multi tasking. A single program operating system allows only one program to run at a time. This was the operating system that was improved on to as multi-tasking operating systems as it was not practical to close one application to open another, example, close a word document to open power point, especially if you are required to copy some texts from word to power point.
Multi tasking operating systems enables a single user to have two or more applications open at the same time. It gives the computer the option to decide on how many time slices each program is allocated. The active program gets the most, and the rest is divided according to the factors of which programs are doing tasks although not active, and the last priority is given to programs and applications that are left open but are not doing anything.
Multi tasking operating systems can be divided into three general types depending on the type of computer and the type of applications that will be run. These are Real time operating systems, Single user-Multi tasking, Multi user operating systems
Real time operating systems (RTOS) are mainly used to control machinery, scientific instruments, industrial systems, etc. Here the user does not have much control over the functions performed by the RTOS.
Single user, multi tasking operating systems are the systems that allow a single user to run different applications at the same time. Windows of Microsoft and Macintosh of Apple are the most commonly used single user, multi tasking operating systems.
Multi user operating systems give access at the same time to the resources on a single computer to many users. Unix is one such operating system.
The most commonly used operating systems that fall under the above categories are, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP (Which is an upgrade of all the earlier and comes in two versions as Home and Professional. The professional version is the same as the home edition but has additional features, like networking and security features.), Windows Vista, Windows CE, Apple Macintosh, Unix, etc.
The types of the operating systems can be classified as single program and multi tasking. A single program operating system allows only one program to run at a time. This was the operating system that was improved on to as multi-tasking operating systems as it was not practical to close one application to open another, example, close a word document to open power point, especially if you are required to copy some texts from word to power point.
Multi tasking operating systems enables a single user to have two or more applications open at the same time. It gives the computer the option to decide on how many time slices each program is allocated. The active program gets the most, and the rest is divided according to the factors of which programs are doing tasks although not active, and the last priority is given to programs and applications that are left open but are not doing anything.
Multi tasking operating systems can be divided into three general types depending on the type of computer and the type of applications that will be run. These are Real time operating systems, Single user-Multi tasking, Multi user operating systems
Real time operating systems (RTOS) are mainly used to control machinery, scientific instruments, industrial systems, etc. Here the user does not have much control over the functions performed by the RTOS.
Single user, multi tasking operating systems are the systems that allow a single user to run different applications at the same time. Windows of Microsoft and Macintosh of Apple are the most commonly used single user, multi tasking operating systems.
Multi user operating systems give access at the same time to the resources on a single computer to many users. Unix is one such operating system.
The most commonly used operating systems that fall under the above categories are, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP (Which is an upgrade of all the earlier and comes in two versions as Home and Professional. The professional version is the same as the home edition but has additional features, like networking and security features.), Windows Vista, Windows CE, Apple Macintosh, Unix, etc.
Microsoft Windows operating systems.
Microsoft windows operating systems consists of a string of software operating systems updated to keep in line with new technologies and meet new and changing requirements of users. Microsoft released its first operating system in 1985 named 'Windows'. It was developed as an add-on to the MS-DOS operating system to meet the increasing need for a graphical user interface (GUI).
The earliest version of 16 bit windows operating system was thought to be just a graphical user interface. But in fact it already carried out many functions of typical operating systems by possessing their very own executable file format. It also provides its own device drivers for applications. Windows was also acceptable users to execute many graphical applications simultaneously (multitasking) unlike MS-DOS. 16-bit Windows versions comprises of Windows 1.0, Windows 2.0, Windows/286-Windows/386.
Windows/386 can also be categorized as an operating environment of Hybrid 16/32-bit. Windows3.0 and Windows 3.1 also falls under the category of Hybrid 16/32-bit operating environments. These operating systems had improved its design greatly because of loadable virtual device drivers and virtual memory, which provided facilities for sharing devices among multitasked DOS windows. Windows applications were now also able to execute in protected mode, making it possible to access many megabytes of memory and had no obligations like earlier systems to be involved in software virtual memory method.
Windows introduced for Workgroups 3.11 the 32-bit Windows operating system, with which it eliminated relying on DOS for file management. With this step, Microsoft released Windows 95 which supported lengthy file names. MS-DOS came inbuilt with Windows. Also the operating systems in this category were able to run 32-bit multitasked multi-threaded graphical programs, but as it was necessary to be compatible with 16-bit programs GUI components had to be 16-bit, not fully modified, resulting in low stability and performance. Three releases of Windows 95 (1995-1997), Windows 98 (1998), Windows 98 2nd edition (1999) and windows Me (2000) all falls under this category.
Windows NT operating systems falls under operating systems of 32-bit. These were distributed with higher reliability for business use. These were the first to put into practice the 'Windows 95' user interface and to include Windows 95's built-in 32 bit runtimes. Microsoft also introduced Windows XP which came in both home and professional versions, combining the consumer and business operating systems. It had enhanced user experience, stability and supported backward compatibility. The newest categories of operating system are 64-bit operating systems, in which the earlier versions supported Itanium. From Windows XP in 2005 Microsoft dropped its support for Itanium.
This is a simple brief of Microsoft Windows. Microsoft windows has more in-depth details for it has a greater history than can be covered in a few number of pages.
The earliest version of 16 bit windows operating system was thought to be just a graphical user interface. But in fact it already carried out many functions of typical operating systems by possessing their very own executable file format. It also provides its own device drivers for applications. Windows was also acceptable users to execute many graphical applications simultaneously (multitasking) unlike MS-DOS. 16-bit Windows versions comprises of Windows 1.0, Windows 2.0, Windows/286-Windows/386.
Windows/386 can also be categorized as an operating environment of Hybrid 16/32-bit. Windows3.0 and Windows 3.1 also falls under the category of Hybrid 16/32-bit operating environments. These operating systems had improved its design greatly because of loadable virtual device drivers and virtual memory, which provided facilities for sharing devices among multitasked DOS windows. Windows applications were now also able to execute in protected mode, making it possible to access many megabytes of memory and had no obligations like earlier systems to be involved in software virtual memory method.
Windows introduced for Workgroups 3.11 the 32-bit Windows operating system, with which it eliminated relying on DOS for file management. With this step, Microsoft released Windows 95 which supported lengthy file names. MS-DOS came inbuilt with Windows. Also the operating systems in this category were able to run 32-bit multitasked multi-threaded graphical programs, but as it was necessary to be compatible with 16-bit programs GUI components had to be 16-bit, not fully modified, resulting in low stability and performance. Three releases of Windows 95 (1995-1997), Windows 98 (1998), Windows 98 2nd edition (1999) and windows Me (2000) all falls under this category.
Windows NT operating systems falls under operating systems of 32-bit. These were distributed with higher reliability for business use. These were the first to put into practice the 'Windows 95' user interface and to include Windows 95's built-in 32 bit runtimes. Microsoft also introduced Windows XP which came in both home and professional versions, combining the consumer and business operating systems. It had enhanced user experience, stability and supported backward compatibility. The newest categories of operating system are 64-bit operating systems, in which the earlier versions supported Itanium. From Windows XP in 2005 Microsoft dropped its support for Itanium.
This is a simple brief of Microsoft Windows. Microsoft windows has more in-depth details for it has a greater history than can be covered in a few number of pages.
Open source operating systems.
We are now all aware that an operating system is the program that is initially loaded into the computer by a boot program. It manages all the other programs in a computer, called applications. These application programs make use of the operating system by making requests for services through a defined application program interface (API).
What does one mean by open source? Open source refers to programs where source code is made available to the public to use and also modify from the original design, free. Open source code is usually produced as a joint effort in which programmers' progress upon the code and share changes with the interested parties. These open source codes were born in technological community as an answer to proprietary software of ownership of corporations.
A certificate was given by the Open Source Initiative (OSI), indicating that source code of a computer program is accessible free by general public. Open Source Initiative has set down criteria's for a product to be accepted as 'OSI Certified'. These criteria's are as follows: The license holder or the author of source code may not collect royalties on the circulation of the program. The source code of the distributed program must be made available to the user. The license holder must permit alterations and derivations of the original work under the program's original name. No group, field or person can be denied rights to use to the program. The rights of the program shouldn't depend on the fact that the program is being part of a particular software distribution. The licensed software cannot put limitations on other software that is circulated with it.
Many open source operating systems are available for users. Linux is only one of the most common open source operating system available for use and modification. There are many open source operating systems available, namely, 'Kubuntu Linux', 'Ubuntu Linux', 'Suse Linux', 'Mandriva Linux', 'Debian Linux', 'Elive Linux', 'Austrumiis', 'Ubuntu Studio', 'JAD Studio', 'Fedora Linux', 'Sabayon Linux', 'Mepis Linux', 'Pardus', 'Slackware Linux', 'Dynebolic Linux', 'Dream Linux', 'Free BSD Unix', 'PC BSD Unix', 'DesktopBSD Unix', 'ReactOS', 'GNU-Darwin Linux', 'Haiku', 'AROS', 'Menuet', 'Minux3', 'Syllable', 'Geexbox Linux', 'XBox Linux', 'FreeVMS', 'JNode', 'BeleniX' (an OpenSolaris distribution), 'FreeDOS', etc.
Linux is the probably the best open source operating system available. FreeBSD is second only to Linux among open source operating systems in popularity and community size. The advantages of using open source operating systems is that it has a lower cost of ownership, reduced dependence on software vendors, easier to customize, higher level of security, etc.
What does one mean by open source? Open source refers to programs where source code is made available to the public to use and also modify from the original design, free. Open source code is usually produced as a joint effort in which programmers' progress upon the code and share changes with the interested parties. These open source codes were born in technological community as an answer to proprietary software of ownership of corporations.
A certificate was given by the Open Source Initiative (OSI), indicating that source code of a computer program is accessible free by general public. Open Source Initiative has set down criteria's for a product to be accepted as 'OSI Certified'. These criteria's are as follows: The license holder or the author of source code may not collect royalties on the circulation of the program. The source code of the distributed program must be made available to the user. The license holder must permit alterations and derivations of the original work under the program's original name. No group, field or person can be denied rights to use to the program. The rights of the program shouldn't depend on the fact that the program is being part of a particular software distribution. The licensed software cannot put limitations on other software that is circulated with it.
Many open source operating systems are available for users. Linux is only one of the most common open source operating system available for use and modification. There are many open source operating systems available, namely, 'Kubuntu Linux', 'Ubuntu Linux', 'Suse Linux', 'Mandriva Linux', 'Debian Linux', 'Elive Linux', 'Austrumiis', 'Ubuntu Studio', 'JAD Studio', 'Fedora Linux', 'Sabayon Linux', 'Mepis Linux', 'Pardus', 'Slackware Linux', 'Dynebolic Linux', 'Dream Linux', 'Free BSD Unix', 'PC BSD Unix', 'DesktopBSD Unix', 'ReactOS', 'GNU-Darwin Linux', 'Haiku', 'AROS', 'Menuet', 'Minux3', 'Syllable', 'Geexbox Linux', 'XBox Linux', 'FreeVMS', 'JNode', 'BeleniX' (an OpenSolaris distribution), 'FreeDOS', etc.
Linux is the probably the best open source operating system available. FreeBSD is second only to Linux among open source operating systems in popularity and community size. The advantages of using open source operating systems is that it has a lower cost of ownership, reduced dependence on software vendors, easier to customize, higher level of security, etc.
Comparison of operating systems (the ups and downs).
With the many types of operating systems available in the market a basic user of computer who is not too aware of the technical side of things can be bewildered when having to make decisions. If you settle for one thinking all operating systems are the same, you could be faced with difficulties if it doesn't meet your requirements. Unfortunately when this decision involves a business where computers are recognized as important tool to run the business, a wrong decision could delay and even bring down expected results from the business as a whole.
The most common for desktop use is the operating systems offered by Microsoft. They have a range of operating systems starting from MS-DOS to Windows95 and Windows NT. The advantage of using these operating systems is that there are a wide range of affordable application programs to use with them. Shortcomings are the lack of decent connectivity and interoperability. Windows95 and Windows NT have addressed the connectivity issue fairly well but these still lack in interoperability with other operating systems. This is to encourage users to stick to all Microsoft products, but limitations such as poor internet connectivity and low security may be expensive to sort out.
UNIX systems offer many advantages over Microsoft when it comes to connectivity. It offers excellent connectivity as it is the operating system of the internet and World Wide Web, which has always had to offer connectivity options. This is also a stable operating system with over 25 years of existence in the market as a reliable system. UNIX systems are scalable as UNIX technology has run on machines from basic to multimillion value super computers. These systems also support multi tasking and multi users. Thus file, print and remote access servers can be implemented using any UNIX based system.
BSD Systems is an open UNIX like solution. It offers all UNIX capabilities but for two shortcomings. One, they diverge from the mainstream UNIX capabilities and two they run only on x86 processors. This is less desirable for general business solutions but is commonly used for dedicated systems like routers. Its long development history and connectivity capabilities make them outstanding in dedicated communications systems. Linux is another open UNIX solution. Linux is portable; it can grow with you and the future. Also it has additional connectivity capabilities like TCP/IP connectivity, Drivers for many serial, ISDN and frame relay controllers, Appletalk for Mac/Linux connectivity, SAMBA for Microsoft Windows/Linux connectivity, IPX protocol support for Novell Netware/Linux connectivity
Other common platforms are MacOS and Novell Netware. Mac was developed as a workstation and for specific applications like graphics. It doesn't support interoperability and is not suitable as a general solution. Novell Netware was designed to make up for poor connectivity of early Microsoft products.
Make a wise choice when selecting a OS, keeping in mind your current needs, interoperability, support for different platforms and maintainability.
The most common for desktop use is the operating systems offered by Microsoft. They have a range of operating systems starting from MS-DOS to Windows95 and Windows NT. The advantage of using these operating systems is that there are a wide range of affordable application programs to use with them. Shortcomings are the lack of decent connectivity and interoperability. Windows95 and Windows NT have addressed the connectivity issue fairly well but these still lack in interoperability with other operating systems. This is to encourage users to stick to all Microsoft products, but limitations such as poor internet connectivity and low security may be expensive to sort out.
UNIX systems offer many advantages over Microsoft when it comes to connectivity. It offers excellent connectivity as it is the operating system of the internet and World Wide Web, which has always had to offer connectivity options. This is also a stable operating system with over 25 years of existence in the market as a reliable system. UNIX systems are scalable as UNIX technology has run on machines from basic to multimillion value super computers. These systems also support multi tasking and multi users. Thus file, print and remote access servers can be implemented using any UNIX based system.
BSD Systems is an open UNIX like solution. It offers all UNIX capabilities but for two shortcomings. One, they diverge from the mainstream UNIX capabilities and two they run only on x86 processors. This is less desirable for general business solutions but is commonly used for dedicated systems like routers. Its long development history and connectivity capabilities make them outstanding in dedicated communications systems. Linux is another open UNIX solution. Linux is portable; it can grow with you and the future. Also it has additional connectivity capabilities like TCP/IP connectivity, Drivers for many serial, ISDN and frame relay controllers, Appletalk for Mac/Linux connectivity, SAMBA for Microsoft Windows/Linux connectivity, IPX protocol support for Novell Netware/Linux connectivity
Other common platforms are MacOS and Novell Netware. Mac was developed as a workstation and for specific applications like graphics. It doesn't support interoperability and is not suitable as a general solution. Novell Netware was designed to make up for poor connectivity of early Microsoft products.
Make a wise choice when selecting a OS, keeping in mind your current needs, interoperability, support for different platforms and maintainability.
Apple’s Mac OS X etc.
Technology has never stood still and may never will. Apple software's keep up with this trend of change and keeping up with it may be a strenuous task, when not in touch with new updates frequently. If we don't keep up with technology, no sooner than later we will be left way behind.
Apple is an American multinational corporation with a focus on designing and manufacturing electronics and software's. Apples well known hardware products includes Macintosh computers, iPod, and iPhone. Similarly Apples best known software products include Mac OS X Operating System, iTune media browser, Final Cut Studio and iLife suite of multimedia and creativity software. Apple Inc. formerly known as Apple Computer, Inc. operates more than 200 retail stores in seven countries and an online store.
There are many news updates from Apple Inc, starting with its renaming in 2007, by dropping the word computer to imply the company's ongoing expansion into the electronic market as well as to keeping to their traditional focus on personal computers.
From the year 2005 to present Apple has kept the news aflame with new updates. In 2006 January, Apple announced its first laptop with an Intel microprocessor (15.4" widescreen), 'The MacBook Pro', which was targeted as per its name to professionals. Apple also started shipping the less expensive 'MacBook' (13.3" widescreen) for the consumer market. Throughout the year 2006, Apple shifted the entire Mac product line to Intel chips, maintaining the enclosure design while replacing its internal components. Gradually the Power Mac brand was replaced with Mac Pro as its successor. Apple also introduced 'Boot Camp', a new software that helps users to install Windows XP on their Intel Mac alongside its operating system, 'Mac OS X'.
Apple started turning a profit in 1997, after continuous losses in 1995 and 1996. The profit turn over accelerated between 2003 and 2005, this was evident to the market by its high rate of price increase in its Stocks. In this period (2003-2005), the price of a share of Apple's stock increased more than tenfold. By January 2006, Apples share of the market, exceeded that of Dell.
During 2007, with the announcement of the companies name change, announcements were also made of the iPhone and the Apple TV. Also in the same year, Apple indicated its willingness to sell music on the iTunes Store without digital rights management protection, if the major record labels would agree to drop the anti-piracy technology. By April 2007, Apple and record label EMI announced the removal of anti-piracy technology from EMI's catalog in the iTunes Store from May.
As you can see Apple grew in sudden spurts, by making the rights decisions at the right time. News about Apple Inc. new announcements and launches can be seen very regularly, as it keeps up its aim to catch the user market, and remain on top of its competitors
Apple is an American multinational corporation with a focus on designing and manufacturing electronics and software's. Apples well known hardware products includes Macintosh computers, iPod, and iPhone. Similarly Apples best known software products include Mac OS X Operating System, iTune media browser, Final Cut Studio and iLife suite of multimedia and creativity software. Apple Inc. formerly known as Apple Computer, Inc. operates more than 200 retail stores in seven countries and an online store.
There are many news updates from Apple Inc, starting with its renaming in 2007, by dropping the word computer to imply the company's ongoing expansion into the electronic market as well as to keeping to their traditional focus on personal computers.
From the year 2005 to present Apple has kept the news aflame with new updates. In 2006 January, Apple announced its first laptop with an Intel microprocessor (15.4" widescreen), 'The MacBook Pro', which was targeted as per its name to professionals. Apple also started shipping the less expensive 'MacBook' (13.3" widescreen) for the consumer market. Throughout the year 2006, Apple shifted the entire Mac product line to Intel chips, maintaining the enclosure design while replacing its internal components. Gradually the Power Mac brand was replaced with Mac Pro as its successor. Apple also introduced 'Boot Camp', a new software that helps users to install Windows XP on their Intel Mac alongside its operating system, 'Mac OS X'.
Apple started turning a profit in 1997, after continuous losses in 1995 and 1996. The profit turn over accelerated between 2003 and 2005, this was evident to the market by its high rate of price increase in its Stocks. In this period (2003-2005), the price of a share of Apple's stock increased more than tenfold. By January 2006, Apples share of the market, exceeded that of Dell.
During 2007, with the announcement of the companies name change, announcements were also made of the iPhone and the Apple TV. Also in the same year, Apple indicated its willingness to sell music on the iTunes Store without digital rights management protection, if the major record labels would agree to drop the anti-piracy technology. By April 2007, Apple and record label EMI announced the removal of anti-piracy technology from EMI's catalog in the iTunes Store from May.
As you can see Apple grew in sudden spurts, by making the rights decisions at the right time. News about Apple Inc. new announcements and launches can be seen very regularly, as it keeps up its aim to catch the user market, and remain on top of its competitors
Multi-user operating systems and the need to know.
We all now know that Operating Systems are the back bones of computers. Multi-user operating systems allow multiple users to use the resources on a single computer simultaneously or at different times. Linux, UNIX and Windows 2000 are few examples of multi user operating systems.
When using a multi user operating system, there are a few things you may need to know to make maximum use of its features even without the help of a technical assistant at home or office.
Let's take for an example a user of a UNIX multi user operating system. As intended, many users will all be sharing the same resources in a machine. Occasionally you may need to find out some very basic information like, whether the co-worker is logged on? Has a co-worker read the email you sent? How to find out if the co-worker has come to work if he never logs out? You can find out lots of basic data like the above and more about users and the system easily and without any special permission.
When you need to find out whether someone is at office or at a meeting or on leave what do you do? Some co-workers make it easy by setting their email and voice mail so anyone who tries to contact them will be sent the information automatically. But some leave you guessing more often than not. In UNIX there are many commands to assist you. For example, if you want to find out who is currently logged in to the system and even the time they had logged in you can use the 'who' command. On systems with many users, the 'who' command will output more data than can be processed. In these cases, the 'who' command can be used with the 'more' or 'grep' command to output specific information.
To find out what the other users are working on in their personal computers (PCs), you can use the 'ps' command. This will show you all the processes running on the system and will help you find out who is doing what. There is also a command called the 'finger command'. This is useful to find out who is logged in and how long a co-worker is idle. It can also show you when the other person last read his/her email. It will also show you what the other person is working on at that moment and the login name of the other person.
These are some basic things a user working on a multi user operating system needs to be aware of, as one cannot depend on a technical person always to be on hand when you may require important information urgently. In fact multi user operating systems are especially user friendly as there is no other system that would involve many users at the same time.
When using a multi user operating system, there are a few things you may need to know to make maximum use of its features even without the help of a technical assistant at home or office.
Let's take for an example a user of a UNIX multi user operating system. As intended, many users will all be sharing the same resources in a machine. Occasionally you may need to find out some very basic information like, whether the co-worker is logged on? Has a co-worker read the email you sent? How to find out if the co-worker has come to work if he never logs out? You can find out lots of basic data like the above and more about users and the system easily and without any special permission.
When you need to find out whether someone is at office or at a meeting or on leave what do you do? Some co-workers make it easy by setting their email and voice mail so anyone who tries to contact them will be sent the information automatically. But some leave you guessing more often than not. In UNIX there are many commands to assist you. For example, if you want to find out who is currently logged in to the system and even the time they had logged in you can use the 'who' command. On systems with many users, the 'who' command will output more data than can be processed. In these cases, the 'who' command can be used with the 'more' or 'grep' command to output specific information.
To find out what the other users are working on in their personal computers (PCs), you can use the 'ps' command. This will show you all the processes running on the system and will help you find out who is doing what. There is also a command called the 'finger command'. This is useful to find out who is logged in and how long a co-worker is idle. It can also show you when the other person last read his/her email. It will also show you what the other person is working on at that moment and the login name of the other person.
These are some basic things a user working on a multi user operating system needs to be aware of, as one cannot depend on a technical person always to be on hand when you may require important information urgently. In fact multi user operating systems are especially user friendly as there is no other system that would involve many users at the same time.
Structure of an operating system.
Internal structure of operating systems can differ. Structures of operating systems tend to differ depending on the arrangement of files, how hardware and applications are installed and controlled and how the user interacts with the system. When it comes to Macintosh, Windows, Linux, and other operating systems, their performance depends on it structure, as different operating systems were built with different concepts and uses in mind.
MS DOS has the simplest structure. It was written with the aim of providing more functionality in less space. It is not separated into modules. Though MS-DOS does have some structure, the interface of MS-DOS and the levels of functionality are not clearly separated. MS-DOS follows a layered approach. MS-DOS operating systems are divided into a number of layers; build one on top of the other. The bottom layer, layer 0, contains hardware and the highest layer is known as the user interface. Layers are chosen with modularity so that each utilizes services and operations of only the immediate lower-level.
UNIX operating systems has limited structuring. It has two separate parts as System programs & The Kernel. The UNIX operating system consists of everything below the system interface and above the physical layer (hardware). It provides a large number of functions for one level like file system, CPU scheduling, memory management and other operating system functions.
The modern operating systems implement kernel modules. This is structured using object-oriented approaches. Each core component is separate and talks to each other over known interfaces. Each core component is loadable as and when needed within the kernel. Overall it is similar to the layered architecture but with more flexibility.
Virtual machines are structured by taking the layered approach to the most logical conclusion. Virtual machines treat hardware's and the kernel of the operating system as though all are hardware. Virtual machines provide interfaces matching the underlying hardware. Operating systems generates the vision of multiple processes, all executing on its very own processor with its very own virtual memory. It is structured in a manner that the resources of the physical computer are shared to make the virtual machine. CPU scheduling creates the idea that users have their own processor. A normal user time -sharing terminal serves as the virtual machine operator's console.
These are some basic structures of operating systems. One can identify ways in which they are alike and differ according to the purpose it was built to serve. The architectures differ with technological advances, outdating techniques frequently.
MS DOS has the simplest structure. It was written with the aim of providing more functionality in less space. It is not separated into modules. Though MS-DOS does have some structure, the interface of MS-DOS and the levels of functionality are not clearly separated. MS-DOS follows a layered approach. MS-DOS operating systems are divided into a number of layers; build one on top of the other. The bottom layer, layer 0, contains hardware and the highest layer is known as the user interface. Layers are chosen with modularity so that each utilizes services and operations of only the immediate lower-level.
UNIX operating systems has limited structuring. It has two separate parts as System programs & The Kernel. The UNIX operating system consists of everything below the system interface and above the physical layer (hardware). It provides a large number of functions for one level like file system, CPU scheduling, memory management and other operating system functions.
The modern operating systems implement kernel modules. This is structured using object-oriented approaches. Each core component is separate and talks to each other over known interfaces. Each core component is loadable as and when needed within the kernel. Overall it is similar to the layered architecture but with more flexibility.
Virtual machines are structured by taking the layered approach to the most logical conclusion. Virtual machines treat hardware's and the kernel of the operating system as though all are hardware. Virtual machines provide interfaces matching the underlying hardware. Operating systems generates the vision of multiple processes, all executing on its very own processor with its very own virtual memory. It is structured in a manner that the resources of the physical computer are shared to make the virtual machine. CPU scheduling creates the idea that users have their own processor. A normal user time -sharing terminal serves as the virtual machine operator's console.
These are some basic structures of operating systems. One can identify ways in which they are alike and differ according to the purpose it was built to serve. The architectures differ with technological advances, outdating techniques frequently.
The future of operating systems.
Operating systems have evolved through the past years in a rapid manner. As the most important component in computers, changes in the operating systems have great consequences for users of computers. With the past changes in operating systems like the giant rise from command-line interface to the current graphical user interface, many common tasks became easier for the computer users.
Currently computer users are faced with difficulties when installing new hardware's and some software's because of technical issues. In this context one can expect to see many new wizards implemented with the operating system. Wizards are software's, which give automated step-by-step instructions to carry out a task which otherwise would be very complicated for a basic computer user to carry out without technical assistance. Existing operating systems do carry admirable wizards for uninstalling and installing software's and hardware's (e.g. Windows 95. In the near future wizards will be integrated into the operating systems, which could carry out tasks like automatically cleaning up systems, deleting unnecessary files and further simplification of installment procedures of software's and hardware's, which can produce reports on what and what not a device or system can do. Wizards may also exist which may ask what to do at the moment, and even glance at the software you are currently installing and give suggestions on programs and documents for successfully accomplishing the task.
Many users, who are not aware of technical issues, encounter problems with file transfers between platforms. In a few years time we can expect this task to be simplified and non technical by operating systems which can distinguish non-native file formats and perform translations automatically into a configuration supported by the native platform.
Work is in progress to put out Operating systems integrated with browser features. Microsoft's strategy called Active Desktop was to use the browser metaphor for searching hard drives and surfing the Net. The future holds a date where HTML with Active X controls and Java might become THE file standards on a desktop and applications, their associated documents will be called through these HTML files. This means that the Network User Interface may replace the Graphical User Interface. Thus in the future you can access the web directly from the Operating System without opening a separate Web browser.
These are just a few of the changes that can be experienced in the future. These changes are worked out with the aim of easing the life of the many types of users around the world. Be prepared for a new experience in the ever changing world of computers.
Currently computer users are faced with difficulties when installing new hardware's and some software's because of technical issues. In this context one can expect to see many new wizards implemented with the operating system. Wizards are software's, which give automated step-by-step instructions to carry out a task which otherwise would be very complicated for a basic computer user to carry out without technical assistance. Existing operating systems do carry admirable wizards for uninstalling and installing software's and hardware's (e.g. Windows 95. In the near future wizards will be integrated into the operating systems, which could carry out tasks like automatically cleaning up systems, deleting unnecessary files and further simplification of installment procedures of software's and hardware's, which can produce reports on what and what not a device or system can do. Wizards may also exist which may ask what to do at the moment, and even glance at the software you are currently installing and give suggestions on programs and documents for successfully accomplishing the task.
Many users, who are not aware of technical issues, encounter problems with file transfers between platforms. In a few years time we can expect this task to be simplified and non technical by operating systems which can distinguish non-native file formats and perform translations automatically into a configuration supported by the native platform.
Work is in progress to put out Operating systems integrated with browser features. Microsoft's strategy called Active Desktop was to use the browser metaphor for searching hard drives and surfing the Net. The future holds a date where HTML with Active X controls and Java might become THE file standards on a desktop and applications, their associated documents will be called through these HTML files. This means that the Network User Interface may replace the Graphical User Interface. Thus in the future you can access the web directly from the Operating System without opening a separate Web browser.
These are just a few of the changes that can be experienced in the future. These changes are worked out with the aim of easing the life of the many types of users around the world. Be prepared for a new experience in the ever changing world of computers.
