Operating System
An operating system is a software program that enables the computer hardware to communicate and operate with the computer software’s. Without a computer operating system, a computer would be useless and won't be able to operate. Most computers used a Microsoft Windows operating system. Other operating systems can be used like Linux and Mac OS that is used on Apple computers. Operating systems do many tasks for the computer. Firstly operating systems does memory management for the computer. Memory management means that the operating system keeps record of were recorded data and programs stored in main storage (Hard Drive). Another feature that the operating systems allows computers to do is that it provides the computer with a human computer interface. A human computer interface is how the user interacts or communicates with the computer. Most systems use a Graphical User Interface (GUI) but some computer use Command Line Interface (CLI). The most common GUI interface is Windows Icons Menus, Pointer (WIMP); WIMP is used with Microsoft Windows operating system.
Another feature that the operating system has which is vital for the computer is error reporting. Error Reporting is a feature on operating system that tells the user if there are any problems with the computer system. There are many other operations the computer carries out but these are the main ones. The most effective filing system is a hierarchical filing system. In this system you have a folder that can hold files or sub-directories which can in turn store files or sub-directories. The advantages of hierarchical filing systems are that you can have different files with the same filenames in different folders and you can organise your files so that related files are in the same sub-directory.
Another feature that the operating system has which is vital for the computer is error reporting. Error Reporting is a feature on operating system that tells the user if there are any problems with the computer system. There are many other operations the computer carries out but these are the main ones. The most effective filing system is a hierarchical filing system. In this system you have a folder that can hold files or sub-directories which can in turn store files or sub-directories. The advantages of hierarchical filing systems are that you can have different files with the same filenames in different folders and you can organise your files so that related files are in the same sub-directory.
MS-DOS - CLI
MS-DOS
MS-DOS was made by Microsoft and it was the first ever operating system for computers. MS-DOS was very different to the operating system that we use nowadays. The first difference is that MS-DOS was not GUI it was CLI. This means users had to write there command and users couldn't just click icons. MS-DOS was originally made for IBM business and personal computers. There were many updates and versions for MS-DOS.
Linux - CLI
Linux
Linux is an operating system that was designed to provide personal computer users a free or very low-cost operating system. Linux is a CLI operating system meaning that users have to type the commands. Linux has a reputation as a very efficient and fast-performing system. It is not popular with regular computer users but its popularity is growing.
Microsoft Windows - GUI
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows was an operating system designed and produced by Microsoft. Similar to other operating systems, Windows makes a computer systemuser-friendly because of its GUI design. GUI providing a graphical display and organizing information so that it can be easily accessed. The operating system utilizes icons and tools that simplify the complex operations performed by computers. Estimates suggest that 90% of personal computers use the Windows operating system.
Mac OS - GUI
Mac OS
Mac OS is the computer operating system for Apple Computer's of personal computers and business computers. A popular feature of its latest version, Mac OS X, is GUI because of it the desktop interface has some 3-D appearance characteristics. OS X has a modular design intended to make it easier to add new features to the operating system in the future. It runs UNIX applications as well as older Mac applications.
Windows 7 EnterptiseCompatibility - Our School uses Windows 7 because it is compatible with a wide range of software. Our school has more than 80 software installed on the computers at this time and we are always increasing our softwares. We need these software as there are different subjects needing different software and as our school offers a wide range of subject; we need a wide range of software. So Windows 7 is best the choice because nearly all software are compatible with it. Windows 7 can run older software from previous Windows operating system but Mac OS X cannot. Windows 7 can run a virtual version of Windows XP, so people who prefer the XP version of the Windows operating system can still use it.
Security – Security is always a weakness for all Windows operating systems. Security is a major problem in Windows 7 because it is very common among users. So virus for Windows has been increasing. Our school need security because having a virus on the school server can shut our school down because of our reliance on computers. Windows 7 has tries to deal with this problem by putting software utilities such as Bit Locker and Microsoft Windows security essential, but security is still not perfect. Other security software are compatible with Windows 7 as well e.g. McAfee. Cost – Our school does not have unlimited money, as we are on a limited budget. So Windows based computers are very attractive to us. Windows is cheaper that Mac OS X because Windows 7 operating system is used by many computers manufactures. So it has a wide range of selections from cheap to expensively priced computers. Computers at our school are used a lot on a daily bases, so we need an operating system with a lot of high performance and useful utilities. Windoows provide that a lot of utilities e.g. Disk Clean-up. Design – Windows operating systems traditional design was totally changed with Windows 7, so people are not use to the new design, when they first use Windows 7. This can cause an issue at our school as it will decrease efficiency of students because student will have to take time to get use to the new design. In the long term this can be seen as an advantage as when the students get use to Windows 7, it will increase productivity. It can increase productivity because it is easier to use and more organised. It provides better multi-tasking by putting in features such as 'Arrow' and 'split screening'. Built in applications and Features – Firstly our school has a lot of software and files students use on a daily bases, so need to find these files quicker. The windows 7 enterprise offers a finder on the start menu. The finder is very convenient and easy to use, it can be found easily. Secondly utilities are a main factor in any operating system. Windows 7 enterprise offers countless amounts of utilities and these are utilities are regularly used at our school. | Mac OS XCompatibility – Mac OS X is not compatible with all the software we need. Mac OS X has software compatible with it but not all the software we need are compatible. This can prove to be a major disadvantage as we will need to buy new software to provide for all the subjects if we use Mac OS X. Mac OS X does not have the same amount of software as Windows 7 because it is not as common as Windows 7. Another reason that the Mac OS X does not have much software compatibility is because software on the Mac OS X has totally different coding to Windows 7. So small software companies choice to make there software on Windows rather than Mac because of Window's popularity. Mac OS X can run Windows operating systems on Mac but windows cannot run Mac OS X.
Security – Mac OS X is more secured than Windows 7 because less people uses it compare to Windows 7. This can be a great advantage for our school because we will have a more secured server. Another reason why Mac OS X is more secured that Windows 7 is that it is always updating. All of these features will make our school server a lot more secured. Cost – Mac OS X can only be installed on an Apple computer, so there is not much choice for computer. Apple computer are more expensive than windows based computers as windows based computer are varied in price. An Apple computer is usually priced between £600 to £1500. Compared to windows based computer priced between £150 to £1500. Our school has to buy more than 80 computers at one time, so this can be very expensive. Mac OS X has utilities but they are not a lot of them. Design – The Mac OS X’s design is very good looking and easy use, Mac’s operating systems have always been better designed than windows operating systems. With Windows 7 Microsoft have has tried to make a similar design to the Mac. Mac OS X’s taskbar is called the Mac Dock and Mac Dock is still better than Windows 7’s taskbar in my opinion. It will defiantly benefit our school to get a Mac so people can experience the new Mac OS X layout. As Mac OS X will increase our students productivity and efficiency. Built - In Applications and Features – As I mentioned earlier our school has a lot of program and files students use on a daily bases, so need to find these files quicker. The Mac OS X offers a searcher called Mac’s Finder. Mac’s Finder is located on just on the left hand side so it can be conveniently used and found. Mac’s Finder is better than Windows 7 search bar in my opinion. They have the same features but Mac’s Finder can be more conveniently used and found. Mac OS X doesn’t have the same amount of utilities but all there utilities are very useful. One of the most important utility in Mac OS X’s backup utility called the Time Machine. Time machine stores all the files ever used on the computer and shows them anytime categorically. Windows 7 has a backup utility as well but is not as good as the time machine. It is not as good as time machine because in the Windows 7’s backup utility, user has to physically store everything. Windows 7’s backup utility is known as Windows Back-up. |
Advantages and Disadvantages of Windows 7 Enterprise And Mac OS X
Windows Advantages - Faster in booting up system and installation.
Already existing features have been upgraded.
Better customization options have been added.
Spports handwriting and touch recognition.
Upgrade in security by the add of BitLocker.
There is a better looking design and more organised design.
It is made for business use so it supports wide range of business softwares.
Windows Disadvantages - Need to upgrade some computer components e.g. RAM to use new features.
More expansive than previous Microsoft operating systems.
Some peripherals are no compatible with Windows 7 e.g. older HP printers.
Some older feature are removed from Windows 7 .
Mac OS X Advantages - Easier to use for the new computer users.
Art and video editing is easily to do on Mac OS X than on Windows 7.
Mac OS X has a very time efficient and good design.
More stable than Windows due to Apple’s tighter control over their database.
You have almost complete access to the enormous library of free open source applications.
Mac OS X Disadvantages - More expensive upfront than Windows based computers.
Less support. You have to go to Apple for all your hardware problems.
Less hardware choices than Windows.
Already existing features have been upgraded.
Better customization options have been added.
Spports handwriting and touch recognition.
Upgrade in security by the add of BitLocker.
There is a better looking design and more organised design.
It is made for business use so it supports wide range of business softwares.
Windows Disadvantages - Need to upgrade some computer components e.g. RAM to use new features.
More expansive than previous Microsoft operating systems.
Some peripherals are no compatible with Windows 7 e.g. older HP printers.
Some older feature are removed from Windows 7 .
Mac OS X Advantages - Easier to use for the new computer users.
Art and video editing is easily to do on Mac OS X than on Windows 7.
Mac OS X has a very time efficient and good design.
More stable than Windows due to Apple’s tighter control over their database.
You have almost complete access to the enormous library of free open source applications.
Mac OS X Disadvantages - More expensive upfront than Windows based computers.
Less support. You have to go to Apple for all your hardware problems.
Less hardware choices than Windows.