Operating Systems

Operating System (OS) The software that manages the sharing of the resources of a computer. Examples of Operating Systems ◦ Windows ◦ Mac ◦ Linux

Operating System Software Master controller for all activities that take place within a computer; primary purpose is to help the computer system monitor itself in order to function efficiently. Interacts with application software, device drivers, and hardware to manage a computer’s resources. Ensures that input and output proceed in an orderly manner.

Platform Underlying hardware and software of the computer system. Two popular platforms ◦ PC ◦ Mac

Multitasking Running more than one program at a time. Making sure that the instructions and data from one area of memory don’t interfere with memory allocated for other programs.

GUI (Graphical User Interface) A type of user interface that features on- screen objects, such as menus and icons, manipulated by a mouse. Abbreviation is pronounced “gooey”.

Definitions Program ◦ Set of detailed, step-by-step instructions that tell a computer how to solve a problem or carry out a task. Application Software ◦ Set of computer programs that help a person carry out a task.

Basic definitions Drive ◦ A location on a network that is set aside for the collection of data. Folder ◦ The subdirectory or subdivision, of a drive that can contain files or other folders. File ◦ A named collection of data that exists on a storage medium.

Desktop Desktop ◦ The main working space on your computer screen Icon: an image that represents an executable file ◦ are pictures of the menu item you are choosing – an executable program or shortcut to a file.

Desktop Task Bar -The bar located at the bottom of the desktop is called the Task Bar. It allows you to The Taskbar enables users to quickly and easily locate and launch programs they may be interested in running through Start, see any program that is currently open, display the time and/or date Status Bar – Sits on top of the Task Bar; displays page number, word count, zoom

Navigating Windows The path to get to your Student drive (H: drive:) ◦ My Computer > H: drive What is the path to get to the shared drive: ◦ My Computer > Shared on SyracuseJr (S:)

Navigating Windows The root of a drive is the beginning A file is a collection of data or information that has a name, called the filename. Almost all information stored in a computer must be in a file Files are created when a document is saved

Navigating Windows Folders - a way to organize files into logical and manageable groups In graphical user interfaces such as Windows and the Macintosh environment, a folder is an object that can contain multiple documents. Folders are used to organize your documents.

Navigating Windows Creating, deleting, and renaming a folder

Navigating Windows Users can also right click to create, delete, or rename folders Files and folders can be moved by: ◦ Dragging and dropping ◦ Cutting and Pasting

Print Screen Print Screen allows you to print something that normally could not be printed Take a picture of what is on your screen To take the picture: ◦ Press the “Print Screen” button on your keyboard To paste and print the picture: ◦ Open Word  Right click and paste File/Office Button - Print

Print Screen

Resources M. Guyman – Pleasant Grove High – 2003 Parsons, June Jamrich, and Dan Oja. Computer Concepts. Boston: Course Technology -Thompson Learning, 2002.