Computer Software & Operating Systems

OPERATING SYTEMS (os)

What is an operating system?

An operating system (OS) is the primary software that runs applications and manages all the hardware, memory and other software on a computer.

Software is a set of computer instructions that tells the computer how to work.

Why do you need an OS?

Allows the user to communicate with the computer.

In the most basic terms, an operating system allows you to communicate with a machine or a computer. We didn’t need this with a typewriter because we were able to control its functions, but this is a necessary part of a computer since we don’t speak computer!

Why do you need an OS?

Allows the user to communicate with the computer.

• Controls hardware and peripherals, i.e printer, keyboard, monitor

• Runs applications and software

• Provides a file structure for data management

• Responsible for security (user accounts)

• Schedules processes (updates, etc)

WORKSTATION OS

• Microsoft Windows

• Apple Macintosh

• Linux

mobilE OS

• Android (Linux)

• iOS (Mac)

• Chrome OS

• Windows Phone

• Blackberry

These are for specialized computers that handle requests.

• Mail server

• Web server

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SERVER os

​OTHER TYPES OF OPERATING SYSTEMS

An embedded operating system will only perform specific tasks. They typically implement higher level features and functions and are used in machines such as an ATM or a GPS system.

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An embedded operating system will only perform specific tasks. They typically implement higher level features and functions and are used in machines such as an ATM or a GPS system.

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Operating systems that are most commonly used to run multiple operating systems on a computer system at the same time.

Embedded OS

firmware

hypervisor

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a task that the operating system is NOT responsible for?

• Manages hardware such as a mouse.

• Keeps track of files and folders

• Supplies power to peripherals such as a printer.

• Secures the computer with user accounts and passwords.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is most commonly considered a mobile OS?

• Apple Macintosh

• Android

• Microsoft Windows

• Linux

Multiple Choice

Which type of operating system is permanently programmed into a hardware device?

• Embedded OS

• Firmware

• Mobile OS

• Hypervisor

Multiple Choice

Which is the most popular mobile OS out of the choices below?

• Chrome OS

• Blackberry

• Windows Phone

• Android

Multiple Choice

What is a server OS used for?

• Handling requests and supplying responses.

• Running multiple operating systems on a computer system.

• Performing one task, such as in an STM machine.

• Running a permanent system, like the timing controls in a washing machine.

comparing OPERATING SYTEMS

Microsoft Windows is arguably the most popular operating system. Because of this, it comes with large industry support. There are tons of applications and programs that are designed to work very well on Windows computers.

A possible downside to being so popular is that these operating systems can be a target for security exploitation. Attackers know that there are many, many people are using Windows and therefore are tempted to try to find a way in - in order to affect as many users as possible.

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Microsoft Windows

graphical user interface (GUI)

• A graphical user interface (GUI) uses interactive graphical elements such as windows, buttons, and icons.

• It allows users to interact through icons instead of text.

Many operating systems now use a Graphical User Interface, or GUI, which provides a simpler way to use the system. Each graphic is a “window” of sorts where the user can view the contents of the computer instead of having to type in commands to open and run programs.

​Apple Macintosh computers, or Macs, are also extremely popular. Their versions were first named after big cats, such as panther and mountain lion, and more recently after California landmarks.

Macs are easy to use and have really good security features. They are typically a lot more expensive than Windows systems.

10.3 - Panther

10.4 - Tiger

10.6 - Snow Leopard

10.8 - Mountain Lion

10.11 - El Capitan

10.14 - Mojave

10.15 - Catalina

Apple Macintosh OS

Linux

Linux kind of just does its own thing. It’s hard to compare Linux to Windows or Macs because it is very different, but still very popular! Linux is FREE and is an open source operating system. What that means is that anyone can view and change the source code to distribute their own individualized version! This is why there are so many different versions of Linux operating systems.

Because of the multitude of different versions, Linux has limited support and limited compatibility, but it has a huge user community who love to help each other out.

• All operating systems have and use different types of file systems.

• A file system is the method in which your files are stored.

  • Organizing files is important so that they can be easily retrieved when you need them.

• Each operating system has its own prefered file system.

A file system is a method of organizing files and retrieving them from storage.

file systems

FAT32 (File allocation table)

• Compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux

• Commonly used for USB and memory cards

• Memory limit of 16 terabytes =

  • 4,000,000 digital photos

  • 4,000 movies or 8,000 hours of HD video

  • 104 million document pages (Word, PDFs, PPT, etc) commonly

  • It’s equal to about 20,800 physical filing cabinets of paper!

ntfs (new technology file system)

Compatible with Windows only

Memory limit of 1 exabyte

1 exabyte = 1 million terabytes!

Each major operating system also has its own file system that can be used. NTFS is a Windows systems that comes additional features and more memory than FAT32. There really isn’t an actual memory limitation as this system holds up to 1 exabyte of memory. This is equal to 1 million terabytes which is a lot more than the 16 terabytes of FAT32!

ext4 (extended file system)

• Compatible with Linux only

• Memory limit of 1 exabytes

• 1 exabyte = 1 million terabytes!

hfs (hierarchical file system

• Compatible with Mac only

• Memory limit of 8 exabytes

• 8 exabytes = 8 million terabytes!

file systems of os

• Compression - takes up less space on your hard drive

  • Compression is important to be able to save and use less memory

• Encryption - protects confidential data from attackers

• Permissions - sets access rights for users (read vs write)

  • Encryption and permissions are important for security

• Journaling - keeps track of changes

  • Journaling is important in case you ever need to backup your system or revert to an earlier setup.

Multiple Choice

Which file system would be the best choice to use in a drive that will be used with both Windows 10 and macOS?

• Ext4

• FAT32

• HFS

• NTFS

Multiple Choice

Which OS is currently the most popular for desktops and laptops?

• Microsoft Windows

• Apple Mac

• Linux

• Penguin

Multiple Choice

What does GUI stand for?

• Gallery Used Ideas

• Gradual User Images

• Graphical User Interface

• Graphic Unity Icons

Multiple Choice

What is a disadvantage of a Mac OS?

• Poor security features.

• Not much memory.

• Too many different active versions.

• Computers that run Mac OS can be expensive.

Multiple Choice

Linux is an open source OS. What does "open source" mean?

• It means that it is free.

• It means that anyone can view, copy and then change the source code.

• It means that there are over 600 versions available.

• It means that it comes with unlimited support.

Multiple Choice

What feature of file system is responsible for keeping track of changes in the system?

• Compression

• Encryption

• Permissions

• Journaling

compatibility

​

Windows - Explorer

Mac - Finder

Linux - Nautilus, Dolphin, Thunar, Nemo

• Each operating system has its own way of storing and viewing files.

• A file manager is a program that allows you to view, open, move and rename files.

​file management

Windows - .exe

Mac - .dmg

Linux - doesn’t depend on the extension to open the file

There are also extensions that definitely can ONLY be used on specific systems, like .exe for windows and .dmg for macs. Linux, again does its own thing here, and uses the way the file is coded to decide which program or app to use to open the file instead of looking at the extension.

.pdf

.jpg

.mp3

.doc, .docx,

.pages

There are also extensions that definitely can ONLY be used on specific systems, like .exe for windows and .dmg for macs. Linux, again does its own thing here, and uses the way the file is coded to decide which program or app to use to open the file instead of looking at the extension.

all Operating systems

file types and extensions

​A file extension is the suffix at the end of a filename that indicates what the type of file is.

32-bit vs. 64-bit processor

A processor is the electronic part of a computer that executes the instructions that are passed to it by the operating system. It’s also called a CPU, or central processing unit.

• Operating systems each have their own procedures for processing information.

• Some systems may need more memory to open a file or run a program.

• Knowing what processor your computer has is important to make sure that your computer is strong enough to run the operating system!

32-bit vs. 64-bit processor

• A 64-bit processor is stronger than a 32-bit processor. It can store more values and information and handle more data at one time.

• A 64-bit processor has over four billion times the physical memory of a 32-bit processor.

• A 32-bit processor has a limit on the amount of memory that it can use.

• A 32-bit operating system can usually be run on a 64-bit processor but the reverse is not true. You won’t be able to run a 64-bit operating system on a computer with a 32-bit processor.

Multiple Choice

Which extension will only open on a Windows computer?

• .doc

• .dmg

• .exe

• .pdf

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a task for the processor?

• Schedules backups and updates.

• Translates between the operating system and the hardware.

• Manages the antivirus software.

• Determines how memory is used.

Multiple Choice

True of False: A 32-bit operating system can usually be run on a 64-bit processor but the reverse is not true.

• True

• False

software and applications

software and applications

• Keyboard

• Monitor

hardware

• Applications

• Programs

software

• Word Processing Software

• Spreadsheet Software

• Presentation Software

• Web Browser

productivity software

• Email Client

• Conferencing Software

• Instant Messaging Software

• Online Workspace

• Document Sharing

collaboration software

• Database Software

• Project Management Software

• Accounting Software

​​business software

​Types of software

Single or Cross Platform

• Cross platform applications work on multiple platforms. When this happens there are chances of compatibility issues.

cross-platform

• Single-platform software only works on one platform, such as only on Android phones, or only on Mac computers. There aren’t many examples of single-platform applications since a wider range of customers can be reached if an app works on more than one platform.

Single-platform

​A platform is an operating system such as Windows, Mac OS, Android or iOS.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is not interchangeable with the word “application”?

• App

• Hardware

• Program

• Software

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a disadvantage of a single-platform application?

• The performance of the application is not optimized for the platform.

• There are more bugs and issues with the application.

• There may be compatibility issues when a file is shared on the same platform.

• Exposure of the application is limited.

software licenses

Only grants one user the right to use the software package. You might be able to install the software on more than one machine, like if you have two computers, but it’s understood that the software belongs to you and you should be the only user.

single use

​Allows the user to install the program on multiple computers at the same time. This is useful for a business or across a corporation. Many schools sign up for site licenses as well so that all student computers can access the program.

group use/site license

Allows a certain number of people to use the same login information. For example, let’s say the license allows for up to three people to use the software at the same time. If three users log in, a fourth user will be denied and not be allowed to use the program. However, once one of the users logs off, that fourth user would be allowed to use the program.

concurrent license

​licensing

​A software license is a document that provides legally binding guidelines for the use and distribution of software.

product keys and serial numbers

Before installing software, it’s best to read all of the agreements, like licenses, and to read the instructions. Some software products include product keys or serial numbers. These are used to activate the product and can usually only be used once or a specific amount of times. This key certifies that the program is original and not someone trying to resell or redistribute the program.

open source vs. proprietary

Owned by an individual or company

EXAMPLES:

• MS Windows

• Skype

proprietary

available for anyone to access and modify.

EXAMPLES:

• Android

• Mozilla Firefox

open source

subscription vs one-time purchase

The user purchases the software and never pays a monthly fee.

one-time purchase

The user is charged every month to use their software.

subscription

Multiple Choice

Which type of software license allows a predetermined number of people to use the account at the same time?

• Single-use license

• Group license

• Site license

• Concurrent license

Multiple Choice

Max pays a quarterly fee (once every 3 months) for a cloud storage account. Which describes the type of software?

• Open-source, subscription

• Open-source, one-time purchase

• Proprietary, subscription

• Proprietary, one-time purchase

Multiple Choice

Which application delivery method is considered to be in a two-tier pattern in which the presentation is stored on your computer and the code and data are stored on a server?

• Local Installation

• Local Network Hosted

• Cloud Hosted

• n-tier

application security

Replace this with a sub-header that can be in multiple lines. ​

software updates

Software updates are one way to ensure that your apps are secure. Hackers can target computers that have not updated their software because they will be easier to gain access to.

​Can include:

• Security fixes

• New or improved features

• Speed up the app

patching operating systems

Updates can exist for a specific app that you have installed and these are still important but the most important software updates are the ones for your operating system. Remember that the operating system is the primary software that tells your computer how to work.

Patches are updates that address and fix security vulnerabilities within a program or product.

Multiple Choice

Which security method is used by companies to fix a flaw in their application?

• Software Update

• Full Backup

• Incremental Backup

• Antivirus Software

Multiple Choice

Which security method is used to protect your computer from threats and warns you of possible vulnerabilities?

• Software Update

• Data Backup

• Operating System Patch

• Antivirus Software

Multiple Choice

Which security method is used to protect your files and the state of your computer?

• Software Update

• Data Backup

• Operating System Patch

• Antivirus Software

Multiple Choice

From the following choices, which would be the most important update to download?

• Microsoft Word Update

• Chrome Browser Update

• Windows OS Update

• Skype Application Update

Multiple Choice

True or False: An incremental backup backs up all data on your computer.

• True

• False

browser configuration

• A downside to this feature is that cache can take up quite a lot of memory.

• If a website makes any major changes, you might end up viewing out-of-date information.

• You can clear your browser’s cache which would fix this error and would free up memory as well.

• Using cache is usually not a big security concern unless you are using a public or shared computer. It would be a good idea to clear the cache on a computer where someone else would have access to these shared files and data.

cache

Multiple Choice

A saved collection of data and files used to improve your browsing speed is called:

• client-side script

• proxy

• cache

• certificate

Multiple Choice

If you would like to ensure that your site history is not recorded, you can:

• clear your cache

• open a window in private browsing mode

• enable client-side scripting

• change your proxy settings

Multiple Choice

Which of the following can be used to filter which sites are allowed through to the browser?

• client-side scripting

• private browsing mode

• cache

• proxy settings

Multiple Choice

Which of the following will not increase your browsing speed?

• storing and using cache

• enabling client-side scripting

• using proxy settings

• using private browsing mode