Chapter 8 Operating Systems and Utility Programs
CHAPTER 8 PRIMARY OBJECTIVES

• Identify the various types of system software
• Differentiate between an operating system and utility program
• Describe the features of operating systems
• Describe the functions of an operating system
• Identify and briefly describe popular operating systems used today
• Explain the startup process for a personal computer
• Discuss the purpose of the following utilities: viewer, file compression, diagnostic, disk scanner, defragmenter, uninstaller, backup, antivirus, and screen saver

SYSTEM SOFTWARE

• Consists of the programs that control the operations of the computer and its devices
• Operating System animation

OPERATING SYSTEMS

• A set of programs containing instructions that coordinate all activities among hardware resources
  • Allows you to run applications software
  • Some applications run on multiple platforms (cross-platform)
  • Kernel
  • Memory-resident
• User interfaces
  • Command-line interface

• Command language

• Graphical user interface (GUI)
• Menus
• Icons
• User Friendly
• Browser-like features
• Browser-like features

• Multiprocessing
• Multiprocessing
• Fault-tolerant

• Spooling print jobs
• Jobs placed in a buffer before sent to a printer
• Configuring devices
• Device drivers
• When you add a new device, a driver also must be present
• Plug and Play
• Interrupt request (IRQ)
• Monitoring system performance
• Performance monitoring software
• Administering security
• Logging on
  • User ID
  • Password
• Managing storage media and files
• File manager program
  • Formatting and copying disks
  • Displaying lists of files
  • Checking the amount of used and free space
  • Copying, renaming, deleting, moving, and sorting files

• Technical issues
  • Device dependent vs. device independent
  • Proprietary software
  • Downward vs. upward compatibility
• DOS
  • Several versions
  • Command-line and menu-driven
• Windows 3.x
  • Operating environment
  • Graphical user interface
  • Introduced in 1990
• Windows 95
  • True multitasking operating system
  • Improved graphical interface
  • Supports networking, Plug and Play technology, longer file names, and e-mail
• Windows 98
  • Upgrade to Windows 95
  • Includes Microsoft Internet Explorer
  • Better Internet and multimedia support
  • New features
• Windows 2000
  • Upgrade to Windows 98 and Windows NT
  • Graphical user interface
  • Microsoft: What’s This video
• Windows CE
  • Designed for use on wireless communications devices and smaller computers
  • Graphical user interface
  • Auto PC

• Voice commands

• Mac OS
  • Released in 1984 with the Macintosh
  • Can open, edit, and save files created in Windows and DOS
• OS/2
  • From IBM
  • Graphical user interface
  • Speech recognition
  • Support for multiple CPUs
• UNIX
  • Multi-user and multitasking
  • Many versions available
  • Command-line interface
• Linux
  • Free
  • Gaining in popularity
• NetWare
  • Widely used network operating system
  • Server portion resides on network server
  • Client portion resides on each client computer

STARTING A COMPUTER

• Booting
  • Cold boot
  • Warm boot (warm start)
  • Boot information is displayed

• Boot steps
  • Power supply sends a signal
  • CPU resets and finds BIOS
  • BIOS performs power-on self test (POST)
  • POST results compared to CMOS
  • BIOS finds boot program
  • BOOT program loaded and run
  • Operating system loads and finds hardware
• Boot disk
  • Used if hard disk will not boot
  • Contains small set of operating system commands
  • Can be created by a user

UTILITY PROGRAMS

• A type of system software that performs a specific task, usually related to managing a computer, its devices, or it programs
  • Built into operating system
  • Stand-alone
• File viewer
• File viewer
• File compression utility
• Diagnostic utility
• Disk scanner
• Disk defragmenter
• Uninstaller
• Backup utility
• Antivirus
• Screen saver

SUMMARY OF OPERATING SYSTEMS AND UTILITY PROGRAMS

• System software and operating systems
• Popular operating systems
• Starting a computer
• Utility programs

TECHNOLOGY TRAILBLAZERS

• Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs
  • Steve Jobs
    • Eccentric background
    • Motivational leader
  • Steve Wozniak
    • Technically savvy
• Marketed Apple in 1976
• Announced Macintosh in 1984

COMPANIES ON THE CUTTING EDGE

• Apple vs. IBM Compatibles - The Rivalry
• Apple Computer started in 1977
• Flexible, creative capabilities, user-friendly
• Advertised as "the computer for the rest of us"
• IBM compatibles started in 1981
• Known as "wintel" platform
• More applications available

Chapter 8 Complete