Operating Systems Operating Systems Operating systems provide a

Operating Systems

Operating Systems Operating systems provide a software interface that allows the user to control hardware components of a computer and its peripheral devices (printers etc).

Microsoft Windows The Windows family of operating systems are used on the majority of personal computers. l Windows operating systems are manufactured by Microsoft. l Popular versions of Windows used today are Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP. l

Versions There have been several versions of Windows for various types of computers and devices over the years. l The Windows Mobile operating system is used in PDA’s and Smartphones. l Windows Server versions are used for various types of servers. l

Apple The Macintosh (Mac) operating system is manufactured by Apple and is used on Apple notebooks and desktops. l Apple also manufactures the i. Phone operating system for its portable devices, such as the i. Phone, the i. Pod Touch, and the i. Pad. l

Unix and Linux Unix is an older operating system used in many server environments. l Linux is a popular “Unix-like” operating system that has open source code. This means that individuals have access to the code and the ability to further develop the operating system. l

Linux Continued When referring to versions of the Linux operating system, the term “distribution” is used. l There are several distributions of Linux available as a free download or inexpensive purchase. This makes the Linux operating system a popular choice for inexpensive computers. l

Understanding Be sure to familiarize yourself with different versions of operating systems and their manufacturers. l It is important to understand which operating system will be the most efficient and cost effective when configuring a computer. l