Operating Systems

An operating system (os) is a software program that enables the computer hardware to communicate and operate with the computer software. Without a computer Operating System, a computer would be useless.

Types of Operating Systems Unix: works like DOS in using commands that are word or letter based. Windows: Macintosh

Graphical User Interface (GUI) GUI works with a pointing device, usually a mouse to open files. It is easier to use because you click on the file or program instead to typing. GUI uses a visual background called a desktop.

Cursor In all operating systems there is a type of cursor. The cursor is the blinking line, arrow, or shape in the screen that tells you were the next character goes. The cursor for the mouse is an arrow. Please DO NOT change the mouse settings. If you have done this, change it back. I will be taking disciplinary action against this starting today!

Menu Button The menu button varies with operating system. –Windows it is the start menu –Macintosh it is the apple menu

Icon An icon is a tiny picture on the screen that represents a program, file, or folder. To view what an icon does without clicking it, hold your mouse over the icon and it will tell you. This is called a mouseover.

File Storage Both Windows and Macintosh use files and folders for storage. –A document is work that you do on a computer. –When you save a document, you get a file. –Files are stored in folders.

Multi-tasking When working on more than one thing, Windows uses a task bar at the bottom of the screen. When working on more than one thing on a Macintosh computer you use the application menu and choose from the list you have open.

Drives Everything on a computer is stored on a drive. A computer can have many drives. –PC (windows) drives are named after letters. For example, hard drive is usually the C drive and the CD-Rom is usually the D drive. –Mac- the drives are named names. The main drive is called the hard drive but you can rename it. Other Drives on the Mac stay hidden unless you store something on them.

Storage The computer uses files and folders to store things on. –Document: whenever you create or do work on a computer –File: when you save your document you create a file –Folders: more than 1 file can be saved in 1 folder

File Structure Drives –Inside drives are folders Inside folders are other folders –Inside these folders are files »Files are the most fundamental level of structure in a Mac or PC

Wallpaper Wallpaper is the background of the desktop. Remember we DO NOT change the wallpaper.

Settings The settings control things like the look of the screen, the way the keyboard and mouse function, speakers, the way you access folders, etc.

Control Panel The control panel is the directory of all the utilities and controls needed to run the computer. In this class, we will not be changing any settings in the control panel. This includes the mouse!!!!

Backing Up In all operating systems and computers it is important that you back up your information. To backup means you create an extra copy of a document, file, or program. Why would this be important?

Downloading When you get a file from someone else’s computer, you have downloaded the file. When you download files, you save them to your computer, a CD, floppy disk, or jump drive. Remember we are NOT downloading files on the computers at school unless I ask or approve you to do so.

Software Any programs that you have on your computer are software. You can get software from a variety of places. You can download it from the internet, buy it at the store, or it can come on your computer. You need to make sure the software you want to install is compatible to your operating system. Some software programs are only written for PC, some are only written for Mac, and some are written for both.