Assessment 2 & 3 – Operating Systems

Stuart Matthews
Assessment 2 & 3 – Operating Systems

An operating is the main software component of a computer system. It is responsible for the management of activities and the sharing of computer resources. The operating system acts as a base for all other software on the computer and is responsible for controlling and operating all hardware. The operating system is the link between software and hardware and allows the user to use the computer. Operating systems allow the user to interact with them by the use of commands or a GUI (graphical user interface). GUI’s are commonly a display of icons and graphics navigated by a mouse.
The control panel on windows allows the user to setup how the hardware and software operates on the computer. The way the computer looks can be changed by using Colour Management and Display settings or the software supplied by the graphic card provider.
Fonts can be added, removed and edited for use in software programs operating on the computer like word processing, drawing and video software.
The user can setup how they interact with the computer by changing settings for the keyboard, mouse and any game controllers connected to computer. Different settings allow user to change the speed the mouse moves across the screen and how fast double clicks should be registered.
Power options allow the user to setup how hardware on the system operates and when display and hard drives should be shut down to save power. Screen savers can also be setup to protect display hardware.
Printers and scanners can be setup and allow the user to select print properties and how the computer interacts with the hardware. The user can view printer queues change printer setting and display printer preferences.
Programs and features allow the user to quickly view all software installed on computer and add or remove programs and software.
Most operating systems have their own security software built in and settings for these can be found in the control panel. User can see and change setting for firewalls, anti-virus programs and spy-bot programs.
Many programs allow the user to interact with speech; the operating system allows the user to setup how hardware like microphone and speakers interact with software.
Software on the computer is started by clicking on the icon in the operating system which then runs the software selected.
Memory must also be managed by the operating allowing multiple programs to be run at once without using memory already used.
Device drivers are used to allow the operating system and computer interacts with a hardware device. As each device is different a device drivers is usually included with a hardware device which means that a program can interact with it. Without a device driver the program couldn’t interact with the device.
Operating Systems usually include software for networking making it easier for the user to connect several computers together allowing sharing of files and folders.
Different operating systems available include Windows, OSX and LINUX. Most handheld devices like mobile phone and media players have an operating system installed.