Scribd
Upload
34 views

Computerbasics Operatingsystems

This document provides an overview of operating systems, including their functions and history. It discusses how operating systems control hardware, run programs, and organize files. A table then lists important operating systems like MS-DOS, Windows 95, Windows XP, Mac OS X, and others, noting the year released and a brief description of each. Overall, the document serves as a basic introduction to operating systems, their roles, and some of the major systems that have been developed over time.

Uploaded by

Abdul Zamane Rachide Ussuale
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
34 views

Computerbasics Operatingsystems

This document provides an overview of operating systems, including their functions and history. It discusses how operating systems control hardware, run programs, and organize files. A table then lists important operating systems like MS-DOS, Windows 95, Windows XP, Mac OS X, and others, noting the year released and a brief description of each. Overall, the document serves as a basic introduction to operating systems, their roles, and some of the major systems that have been developed over time.

Uploaded by

Abdul Zamane Rachide Ussuale
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

84 Computer Basics Training

Lesson 3-3: Operating Systems


Figure 3-57
MS-DOS is a text-based
operating system from the
Stone Age.
Figure 3-58
Introducing… the Start
menu! Microsoft Windows
95 was a very popular
operating system that
features long file names,
better performance, and a Figure 3-57 Figure 3-58
easy-to-use interface.
An operating system is a software program that loads automatically and controls just about
everything on your computer. Here’s what an operating system does:
• Controls Your Computer’s Hardware
Windows controls the different devices of your computer system. It’s what makes your
printer print, what makes graphics and text appear on your monitor, and what makes your
mouse point and click.
• Runs Your Computer’s Programs
An operating system is what runs all your programs. Without an operating system, your
word processor, Web browser (Internet), and games wouldn’t work. An operating system
lets your programs talk to your hardware, so, for example, your word processor can print
things to the printer.
C:\> • Organizes Files
A command prompt is An operating system stores information in files and folders on your computer’s local disk,
where you type just like you store files and folders in a filing cabinet.
commands in MS-DOS. An operating system is like an orchestra conductor who makes sure all the parts of your
computer—your hardware and programs—work together. Operating systems have been
around for a long time—here’s a brief history of the various operating systems out there:

Table 3-2: Types of Operating Systems


Operating System Released Description
MS-DOS 1980 MS-DOS stands for Microsoft Disk Operating System.
MS-DOS was one of the earliest PC operating systems
that displayed boring lines of text on the screen instead
of icons and pictures. You performed tasks in MS-DOS
by typing text commands. MS-DOS file names could
only be eight characters long.
Windows 3.1 1992 Windows 3.1 was the first successful operating system
for the PC that featured a GUI (Graphical User
Interface) that used easy to use pictures instead of hard­
to-remember MS-DOS commands. Technically
speaking, Windows 3.1 was not a true operating system,
since it still required MS-DOS to operate.

© 2008 CustomGuide Inc.


Chapter Three: Understanding Software 85

Operating System Released Description


Windows 95 1995 The incredibly successful successor to Windows 3.1,
Windows 95 was a true operating system (no more
MS-DOS). It featured long file names, better
performance, and a greatly improved interface.
Windows 98 1998 Very similar with Windows 95, Windows 98 included
several new and improved features. More importantly,
Windows 98 came with support for many of the new
hardware devices out there.
Windows ME 2000 Windows ME was the successor to Windows 98. ME
stands for Millennium Edition or Mistake Eternal,
depending on who you talk to. Windows ME was very
similar to Windows 95 and 98 but it included new
multimedia features, new utilities and lots of new bugs.
Windows NT 1993 Windows NT (stands for New Technology) was a
powerful 32-bit operating system that was faster, more
secure, and much more stable than Windows 95 or 98.
Windows NT was designed for use in large companies
where stability and security were especially important.
Windows 2000 2000 Windows 2000 was the successor to Windows NT.
Windows 2000 includes the best features of Windows
98 (easy Plug and Play hardware installation) and
Windows NT (security and stability). Windows 2000 is
still widely used in many businesses.
Windows XP Home 2001 Windows XP (stands for eXPerience—huh?) Home is
designed for home and consumer computing and is the
successor to Windows ME. Windows XP has the same
technology found in Windows NT and 2000, so it’s much
more stable than earlier versions of Windows.
Windows XP Professional 2001 Windows XP Professional is the business edition of Quick Reference
Windows and is the successor to Windows NT and
Windows 2000. An Operating System…
Windows CE / Pocket PC Varies Windows CE (stands for Consumer Electronics) is the • Loads automatically and
operating system made by Microsoft used to power controls just about
handheld computers or PDAs (Personal Data everything on your
Assistants). computer.

Palm OS® Varies The Palm OS is another operating system that can be
found on handheld computers or PDAs.
UNIX Varies UNIX is an older, very powerful operating system that
can run on a computer, mainframe, or network. UNIX
features great performance, security, and reliability.
Linux Varies Linux is a newer UNIX-base operating system that is
available for FREE on the Internet. Linux is becoming a
popular alternative to Microsoft Windows.
Mac OS X 2001 Mac OS X is the latest operating system for Macintosh
computers.

Your Organization’s Name Here

You might also like