Chapter 7A - Operating system basics. In this lesson you will learn about the types of operating systems and the services they provide. Then you will learn about some of the enhancements you can make to your OS using utility software. | McGraw-Hill Technology Education Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Chapter 7A Operating System Basics Functions of Operating Systems Provide a user interface Run programs Manage hardware devices Organized file storage Teaching Tip File and folder storage is covered in chapter 6. Types of Operating Systems Real-time operating system Very fast small OS Built into a device Respond quickly to user input MP3 players, Medical devices Types of Operating Systems Single user/Single tasking OS One user works on the system Performs one task at a time MS-DOS and Palm OS Take up little space on disk Run on inexpensive computers Types of Operating Systems Single user/Multitasking OS User performs many tasks at once Most common form of OS Windows XP and OS X Require expensive computers Tend to be complex Teaching tip It is true that multi-tasking operating systems are complex. However both XP and OS X make the multitasking process painless for the user. Types of Operating Systems Multi user/Multitasking OS Many users connect to one computer Each user has a unique session UNIX, Linux, and VMS Maintenance can be easy Requires a powerful computer Teaching tip Multi-user Multitasking OS's are found on supercomputers, mainframes and minicomputers. Through Linux, a PC can also support user sessions and terminal connections. Multi user/Multi tasking OS Providing a User Interface User interface How a user interacts with a computer Require different skill sets Providing a User Interface Graphical user interface (GUI) Most common interface Windows, OS X, Gnome, KDE Uses a mouse to control objects Uses a desktop metaphor Shortcuts open programs or documents Open documents have additional objects Task switching Dialog boxes allow directed input Insider information The first commercial GUI was the Xerox Star. Teaching Tip There are several types of dialog boxes. Any errors are displayed in a dialog box. This box is system modal - it requires a response . | McGraw-Hill Technology Education Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Chapter 7A Operating System Basics Functions of Operating Systems Provide a user interface Run programs Manage hardware devices Organized file storage Teaching Tip File and folder storage is covered in chapter 6. Types of Operating Systems Real-time operating system Very fast small OS Built into a device Respond quickly to user input MP3 players, Medical devices Types of Operating Systems Single user/Single tasking OS One user works on the system Performs one task at a time MS-DOS and Palm OS Take up little space on disk Run on inexpensive computers Types of Operating Systems Single user/Multitasking OS User performs many tasks at once Most common form of OS Windows XP and OS X Require expensive computers Tend to be complex Teaching tip It is true that multi-tasking operating systems are complex. However both XP and OS X make the multitasking process painless for the user. Types .
