1. 5 SYSTEM SOFTWARE CHAPTER
System software handles behind the scenes activities that we don't usually think about
These include tasks such as:
Loading and running programs
Coordinating networks that share resources
Organizing files
Protecting computers from viruses

2. Competencies (Page 1 of 2)
Describe the differences between system software and application software
Discuss the four types of system software
Discuss operating systems
Describe Windows, Mac, OS, UNIX, & Linux
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3. Competencies (Page 2 of 2)
Describe the purpose of utilities and utility suites
Identify the five most essential utilities
Discuss Windows utility programs
Describe the device drivers, including printer drivers
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4. System Software Handles technical details
Works with end users, application software, and computer hardware
Four types of programs
Operating system
Utilities
Device drivers
Language translators
System software is not a single program but is a collection of programs that handle hundreds of technical details
End-users focus on application programs more than the system software, but it is important to understand how system software works
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5. Operating Systems A collection of programs that handle technical tasks
Every computer has an operating system
Performs three types of functions
Manages computer resources
Provides user interface
Runs applications
Resources
Coordinate input and outputs such as keyboard, microphones, printers, mouse, storage devices, and memory
User interface
Primarily graphical user interface (GUI)
Use of icons
Applications
Word processing
Spreadsheets
Databases
Supporting multitasking
Windows most popular operating systems
Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows ME, Windows XP
MAC OS – designed to run Macintosh computers
Unix – used by powerful microcomputers, servers on the Web, and minicomputers in network environment
Linux – non-proprietary operating systems that run cross platform
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6. Features of an Operating System
Booting
Features in common with application software
Icons
Pointers
Windows
Menus
Dialog boxes
Help
Booting is the process of starting a computer
Warm boot – computer is already on and you restart it without turning off the power
Cold boot – starting a computer that has been turned off
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7. Categories of Operating Systems
Hundreds of operating systems
Three basic categories
Embedded – hand-held
Network OS – linked computers
Stand-alone OS – desktop
Operating system is sometimes called the software environment or platform
Most are proprietary – owned and licensed by a corporation
Non-proprietary – source code is available to the public
Called open source
Linux is an open source program
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8. More on Operating Systems
OS often called software environment or platform
Operating systems commonly used by individuals
Windows – most widely used
Mac OS – powerful and easy to use
UNIX – network; originally designed for Web
LINUX – non proprietary; free from the Web
Note that LINUX is easier to learn; easily transfer to UNIX
UNIX originally designed as cross-platform to help “integrate” the Web
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9. Windows
The most popular microcomputer operating system – over 90 percent of the market
Comes in a variety of different versions
Windows XP is the latest version
Windows has over 90 percent of the market
More application programs are designed to run under Windows than any other operating system
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10. Mac OS An operating system designed to run on Apple computers
Not used as widely as Windows
Mac OS X is the latest version
First introduced in 1984
Provided one of the first GUIs
Powerful and easy-to-use operating system
Mac OS X provides photo-quality icons and easy-to-use menus
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11. UNIX and Linux Unix operating system Linux is a version of UNIX
Originally designed to run on minicomputers on a network
Used by powerful microcomputers
Linux is a version of UNIX
Not proprietary
Open source
UNIX
Used by powerful microcomputers and by servers on the Web
There are a large number of different versions of UNIX
LINUX
One of the most popular and powerful alternatives to the Windows operating system
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12. Utilities Specialized programs to make computing easier
Most essential utilities
Troubleshooting (diagnostic)
Antivirus
Uninstall
Backup
File compression
Utilities – specialized programs designed to make computing easier
Hard disk crashes
Antivirus programs
Computer freeze-ups
Decrease operation slow-downs
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13. Windows Utilities Backup Disk CleanUp Disk Defragmenter
These utilities can be accessed from the System Tools menu
Backup – makes a copy of all files or selected files
Disk CleanUp
Used to improve system performance
Identifies and eliminates unneeded files on the hard disk
Disk Defragmenter
Locates and eliminates unnecessary fragments
Rearranges files and unused space
Speeds up file access
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14. Backup Utility program included with many Windows versions
If you backup your files, you have a copy of your data in case of a disk failure
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15. Disk CleanUp Identifies and eliminates nonessential files
When you search the Web, a variety of programs and files are saved to your hard drive
Use disk cleanup to get rid of these unnecessary files
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16. Disk Defragmenter Identifies and eliminates unnecessary fragments
Disk Defragmenter should be run on your computer often
Some end-users run this utility program daily, while some run it once a week
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17. Utility Suites A group of several utility programs bundled for sale
Buying the package is economical
Popular suites
McAfee Office
Norton System Works
V Communications SystemSuite
Norton Utilities
AntiVirus
CleanSweep
Web CleanUp
Connection Keep Alive
GoBack Personal Edition
McAfee
Similar programs
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18. Device Drivers
Specialized programs that allow communication between a device and the computer
Loaded into memory each time a computer is started
When a new device is added, new device drivers must be installed
Device drivers - programs that work with the operating system to allow communication between device(s) and the rest of the physical system
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19. A Look to the Future IBM's Aware Supercomputer
IBM concentrating research efforts on eLiza
Handles time-consuming maintenance
Autonomic computer
Self-maintaining servers
Self-repairing
Self-updating
Self-protecting
Computers may be able to fix themselves in the future
Autonomic computing is a system that allows machines to run with little human intervention
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20. Discussion Questions (Page 1 of 2)
Describe system software. What are the four types of system programs?
What are the basic functions of every operating system? What are the three basic operating system categories?
Explain the differences and similarities between Windows, Mac OS, and Linux.
Have students turn to the end of Chapter 5 in their textbooks to view the same “Open-Ended” questions/statements
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21. Discussion Questions (Page 2 of 2)
Discuss utilities. What are the five most essential utilities? What is a utility suite?
Explain the role of device drivers. Discuss the Add Printer Wizard and Windows Update.
Have students turn to the end of Chapter 5 in their textbooks to view the same “Open-Ended” questions/statements
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