Operating System Paper

1462 Words3 Pages

Operating System Paper

Introduction

Operating Systems have come a long way since the times of a separate windows system and Disk Operating System (DOS). Now, both systems are combined which made DOS obsolete. According to Capron (2001), “An operating system is a set of programs that lies between applications software and computer hardware; it is the fundamental software that controls access to all other software and hardware resources” (p. 65). Operating systems have three main functions: to manage computer resources, to establish user interface and to execute and provide services for application software. The computer would just be useless machine with no direction or purpose without an operating system. According Nickerson (2001), “The most important system software is the operating system because without it computers would be extremely difficult to use” (p. 31).

Operating System Compatibility in the Workplace

Watts-Smith and Cheng (2004) define compatibility as, “The ability of all hardware and all software in one unit, such as a computer, to work together without difficulty” (no pg.). As with a perfect world, there is no such thing as a perfect computer or software. There will always be compatibility issues with their set of patches and service packs to assist in the smooth operation of a computer information system. In the case of operating systems, upgrades always bring their host of compatibility problems or issues. While most compatibility issues go relatively unnoticed to the average computer user, the ones that are noticeable are extreme in nature. Too many times, previous programs which worked smoothly with the previous operating systems develop problems in speed, memory or even overall usability wh...

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...merica's critical resources. Retrieved Nov 14, 2004, from http://www.advantor.com/plus.html.

Capron, H. L. (2000). Computers: Tools for an information age. 6th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Microsoft (2001, Oct 25). How to troubleshoot program compatibility issues in windows xp. (2001). Retrieved Nov 14, 2004, from MicrosoftTechNet Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/support/troubleshoot.mspx.

Nickerson, R.C. (2001). Operating systems and programming. [UOP Custom Edition Series]. Information Technology. (pp. 27-60). Boston, MA: Pearson custom publishing.

Watts-Smith, A. & Cheng, N. (2004). Compatibility: As in component compatibility or software compatibility. The Computer Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 14, 2004, from Cheap Computer Information Center Web site: http://www.cheap-computers-and-cheap-laptops.com/compatibility.html.

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