C O M P U T E R T E C H N O L O G Y
( S 1 O B J 2 2 - 3 A N D O B J 3 - 2 )
SOFTWARE
SOFTWARE CATEGORIES
• There are two main type of software categories
• Operating Systems Software • Application Software
• Each serve a different but important part in the
UNDERSTANDING
OPERATING SYSTEMS
OPERATING SYSTEM’S JOB
• Booting: the sequence of events that occurs when
you turn the computer on and when it becomes ready to process data.
• During this process, the computer does several things:
• It runs a self-tests to make sure everything is working correctly. • It checks for peripheral devices (a device connected to the
computer that expands the computer’s input, output or storage capabilities).
OPERATING SYSTEM SOFTWARE
FOR PERSONAL COMPUTERS
•
The Operating System is the master controller on
your computer. Computers cannot function
without an operating system.
•
The OS manages the computer's memory,
TYPES OF OPERATING SYSTEMS
• Operating systems usually come preloaded on a
computer when you buy it.
• Most people use the operating system that comes
with their computer, but it is possible to upgrade or even change operating systems.
• The three most common operating systems for
personal computers are Microsoft Windows, Mac OS
WINDOWS OPERATING SYSTEM
CHARACTERISTICS
• Almost 90% of the operating system market share • Introduced in 1995
• Pros:
• Compatibility: Almost every application, driver or game will
work on Windows.
• Ease of use: Much easier to use than Linux
• Software Selection: Windows has the largest selection of
software available
• Cons:
• Security: More vulnerable to virus attacks
• Slower: Windows requires a lot of computer resources
(memory, processor, disk space), and thus, runs slower.
• Price: Costs over a hundred dollars. Software available for
MAC OPERATING SYSTEM
CHARACTERISTICS
• MAC OS has the first ever successful graphical-based operating system, released one year before Windows. • Pros:
• Viruses: Macs get fewer viruses—(mostly because of Window superior market)
• Reliability: Mac OSX is very stable. When an application crashes, only
the application is affected, thus it keeps working without the entire system crashing.
• Speed: The system manages its resources more effectively
• Cons:
• Expensive: MAC OSX costs more than Windows. Also MAC computers
cost more than a comparable PC.
• Only available on Apple computers: If you already have a computer,
you cannot install MAC OS on it unless it's an Apple
• Compatibility: Fewer programs and games run on MAC than its
LINUX OPERATING SYSTEM
CHARACTERISTICS
• Smaller Operating System than Windows or MAC OS, but growing • Pros:
• Cost: Linux is F-R-E-E. You can download it, install it, use it, and customize it FREE! • Variety: To use Linux, additional software needs to be bundled with it. Several
hundred bundles (called "distributions" or "distros") exist. The most popular ones include Ubuntu, Mint and Fedora. The good thing is, with so many different ‘distros,’ there is always one to suit your needs!
• Reliability: Can often be used for months without needing to be rebooted. • Cons:
• Complicated: Linux requires advanced computer knowledge in order to get it to work.
• Compatibility: Does not have as many programs or games as Windows, although some distros allow you to run Windows software
• Vendors: You won't find a lot of vendors selling Linux computers. Usually, you'll just end up buying a Windows computer, reformatting the hard drive, and installing Linux yourself.
GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE
• Modern operating systems use Graphical User
Interface, or GUI (pronounced gooey)
• An interface allows you, the user, to communicate
with your computer.
• GUI lets you use a mouse to click on icons, buttons
and menus
• Icon: An image (graphic) that represents an executable file. • Menu: A dropdown list or table of executable options
• Before GUI, computers used command-line
interface which meant the user had to type every single command and the computer would only display text.
Command-Line Interface vs.
Graphical User Interface
GUI has made computers much easier to use!
WYSIWYG
• WYSIWYG ( /ˈwɪziwɪɡ/ WIZ-ee-wig)is an acronym for
What You See Is What You Get. The term is used in
computing to describe a system in which what you see displayed on your screen during editing
appears in a form close to its appearance when printed or displayed as a finished product, which might be a printed document, web page, or slide presentation.
• This was not possible with a command-line
• Operating Systems for mobile devices generally
aren't as fully-featured as those made for desktop or laptop computers.
• You can still do a lot of things on your mobile device
including: watching movies, browsing the internet, managing your calendar, playing games, and
more…
Operating Systems for
Mobile Devices
OPERATING SYSTEMS
FOR MOBILE DEVICES
• Mobile devices such as phones, tablet computers,
and mp3 players run operating systems that are designed specifically for mobile devices.
• Examples of mobile operating systems include
UNDERSTANDING
APPLICATIONS
WHAT IS AN APPLICATION OR APP?
• An application (or app) is software designed to
help the user perform specific tasks.
• Applications for desktop or laptop computers are
sometimes called desktop applications or
application software.
• Applications for mobile devices are called mobile
apps.
• When you open an application, it runs inside the
operating system until you close it.
• You can have more than one application open at
APP VS. APPLICATION
• Remember:
•
Mobile Apps are simple applications that
can be downloaded from the Internet
cheaply or even for free. Many apps are
available for mobile devices and even
some TVs.
•
Desktop Applications are more
full-featured software that allow you to run
complex software like a word processor,
spreadsheet, computer game, or web
browser.
Click below to watch a short video clip about Computer Applications
COMMON APPLICATION SOFTWARE
Application Software Categories
Category Example Possible uses for this software
Word Processing MS Word Writing a letter, creating a
report…
Presentation MS PowerPoint Creating a presentation (slide
show) about a specific topic.
Spreadsheet MS Excel Calculating a set of numbers,
creating charts…
Database MS Access A collection of information
organized to provide efficient retrieval
Desktop
Publishing MS Publisher Creating flyers, catalogues and posters
Web Browsers Internet Explorer, Firefox Viewing a web page
Image Editing Photoshop, Paint Sketching, shrinking and
re-coloring images
Accounting Quicken, Sage Keeping track of money coming
