An Operating System is the software that is installed on the computer so that you can look at files, open windows, move the mouse, connect to the network and all the things that programs such as Word and Excel rely on to be able to work. Without an operating system, the computer will turn on, but you wonÕt be able to do anything with it.
There are many different types of Operating Systems. The most popular operating systems are Microsoft Windows (Windows 98, 2000, XP, etc.) and Mac OS (Mac OS 8, 9, X, etc.). These are usually included in the price of the computer. You pay for the OS (operating system) separately when you want an upgrade, or newer version. There are also free operating systems, such as Linux. Linux is very powerful, but lacks some features and is not as easy to use as Windows or Mac OS. If you build your own computer out of parts from a store such as FryÕs or Best Buy, then you will have to install your own operating system, but itÕs not very hard to do so.
Below we will compare Mac OS X (on all the iMacs and other Apple computers at BSUSD) with Microsoft Windows 2000 (on all the IBM-Compatible Personal Computers, or PCÕs).
Try to answer these questions, or fill in the blanks, with the information weÕve learned in class.
| Question |
Mac OS X |
Windows 2000 |
| Where do you go to save your files? (10 points) |
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| After youÕve just logged in, how do you open (or run) a program? Use Microsoft Word as an example. (12 points) |
Method 1: Method 2: Method 3: |
Method 1: Method 2: Method 3: |
| Question |
Mac OS X |
Windows 2000 |
| How do you switch to a running program? (10 points) |
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| How do you hide a program? (10 points) |
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| How do you quit a program? (10 points) |
Method 1: Method 2: |
Method 1: Method 2: Method 3: |
| How do you Logout? (10 points) |
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| How do you shut down the computer? (10 points) |