1. Chapter 05: System Software

2. Competencies (Page 1 of 2)
Describe the differences between system software and application software
Discuss the four types of system software
Discuss the basic functions, features, and categories of operating systems
Describe Windows,
Mac OS, UNIX, Linux, and virtualization

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 device drivers, including Windows’ Add a Device Wizard and Update

4. Introduction
Computers are ubiquitous in our lives and we expect them to “be there when we need them”.
We give little thought to the processes and programs running behind the scenes to keep them functioning effectively.
Such programs (i.e. operating systems, utility programs, and device drivers) are the system software you learn about here.

5. System Software Handles the technical details
Includes the operating system, utilities, device drivers, and language translators
System software is not a single program but is a collection of programs that handles 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

6. Operating Systems
A collection of programs that handle technical tasks, including managing computer resources
Every computer has an operating system (OS), such as Windows 7 or Mac OS X
The OS provides the interface between the user and computer, and is required to run applications
Resources
Coordinate input and outputs such as keyboard, microphones, printers, mouse, storage devices, and memory
User interface (Key Term)
Primarily graphical user interface (GUI)
Use of icons (Key Term)
Applications
Word processing
Spreadsheets
Databases
Supporting multitasking (Key Term)
Windows most popular operating systems
Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows ME, Windows XP (Key Term), Windows Vista (Key Term)
MAC OS – designed to run Apple computers
Unix – used by powerful microcomputers, servers on the Web, and minicomputers in network environment
Linux – nonproprietary operating systems that run cross platform (Key Term)
New photo.

7. Functions of an Operating System
Manages computer resources
Coordinate memory, processing storage, and printers
Monitor system performance
Provide security
Start-up the computer
Provides user interface
Character-based interface
Graphical user interface (GUI)
Runs applications
Multitasking
Foreground and background applications

8. 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 (Key Term) – computer is already on and you restart it without turning off the power
Cold boot (Key Term) – starting a computer that has been turned off
Files (Key Term) – used to store data and programs
Folders (Key Term) – stores and organizes related files. May also house other folders

9. Categories of Operating Systems
Hundreds of operating systems
Three basic categories
Embedded operating systems (handheld)
Network operating systems (linked computers)
Stand-alone operating systems (desktop)
Operating system is sometimes called the software environment (Key Term) or platform
Most are proprietary operating systems– owned and licensed by a corporation
Non-proprietary – source code is available to the public
Called open source
Linux is an open source program
In certain situations, the desktop operating system (Key Term) may also be referred to as a client operating system (Key Term)
Network server (Key Term) – coordinates all communication between the other computers

10. More on Operating Systems
An OS is often called the 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

11. Windows
The most popular microcomputer operating system – over 90 percent of the market
Comes in a variety of different versions
Windows 7 provides several improvements over Windows Vista
Windows has over 90 percent of the market
More application programs are designed to run under Windows than any other operating system

12. Mac OS Mac OS X is designed to run on Apple computers
One of the most innovative operating systems, but not used as widely as Windows
Mac OS (Boot Camp) allows you to run both the Mac OS and Windows
First introduced in 1984
Provided one of the first GUIs
Powerful and easy-to-use operating system
Mac OS X, version 10.4 – also known as Tiger (Key Term), provides photo-quality icons and easy-to-use menus
Spotlight (Key Term) – advanced search tool
Dashboard widgets (Key Term) – collection of specialized programs that update and display information
One version of Mac OS (called Leopard) will include Boot Camp (Key Term) which allows Apple computers to run both Mac OS and Windows operating systems

13. UNIX and LINUX UNIX operating system LINUX is a version of UNIX
Originally designed to run on networked minicomputers
LINUX is a version of UNIX
Open source
Not proprietary
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

14. Virtualization
Ability to support multiple operating systems on a single physical machine
Virtualization software
Physical machine can be logically separated into separate and independent virtual computers called virtual machines
Host operating system
Guest operating system

15. Mobile Phone Operating Systems
Type of embedded operating system that is present in every smartphone
Some of the best known (with release dates):
Symbian (2009)
BlackBerry OS or RIM OS (1999)
iPhone OS (2007)
Android (2007)
Windows Phone 7 (2010)

16. Utilities Specialized programs to make computing easier
Most essential utilities
Troubleshooting or diagnostic programs
Antivirus programs
Uninstall programs
Backup programs
File compression programs
Utilities – specialized programs designed to make computing easier
Hard disk crashes
Antivirus programs
Computer freeze-ups
Decrease operation slow-downs

17. Windows Utilities Backup and Restore Disk Cleanup Disk Defragmenter
These utilities can be accessed from the System Tools menu

18. Backup and Restore Utility program included with many Windows versions
Makes a copy of all files or selected files that have been saved on a disk
Helps prevent against disk failure
If you backup (Key Term) your files, you have a copy of your data in case of a disk failure
Return

19. Disk Cleanup Identifies and eliminates nonessential files
Frees up valuable space and improves system performance
When you search the Web, a variety of programs and files are saved to your hard drive
Use disk cleanup (Key Term) to get rid of these unnecessary files
Files are stored and organized on a disk according to tracks and sectors
Tracks (Key Term) – concentric ring
Sectors (Key Term) – wedge-shaped sections of a track
OS tries to save a file on a single track across contiguous sectors. Often the file has to broken into small parts and stored wherever space is available and the disk over time becomes fragmented
Return

20. Disk Defragmenter Identifies and eliminates unnecessary fragments
Rearranges files and unused disk space to optimize operations
Speeds up file access
Disk Defragmenter (Key Term) should be run on your computer often
Some end-users run this utility program daily, while some run it once a week
Fragmented (Key Term) files - result of a file having to be broken apart into smaller parts so it can be stored wherever space is available
Return

21. Utility Suites A group of utility programs bundled for sale
Buying the package is more affordable
Popular suites
Norton System Works
McAfee Office
V Communications SystemSuite
Norton SystemWorks
AntiVirus
CleanSweep
Web Cleanup
GoBack Personal Edition
Norton Utilities
One button checkup (Key Term) - integrates several of the separate troubleshooting utilities
McAfee
Similar programs

22. 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
Device drivers are also referred to simply as “drivers” (Key Term)
Step-by-step guidance is offered by Windows in the form of wizards that assist with installing drivers e.g. “Add Printer Wizard” (Key Term)
Drivers can also be easily updated in Windows by utilizing the Windows Update (Key Term) functionality

23. Virus Protection and Internet Security
Internet Security Suite
Continually monitors your computer
VirusScan
Controls the frequency of searches for viruses
Quarantines or deletes infected files
Privacy Service
Helps protect your privacy online
Block websites, cookies, and ads

24. Careers In IT
Computer support specialist provide technical support to customers and other users
Resolve common networking problems and use troubleshooting programs to diagnose problems
Employers look for a bachelors degree, good analytical and communication skills
Computer support specialist can expect to earn $32K - $53K annually

25. A Look to the Future IBM's Aware Supercomputer
IBM’s Automatic Computing Initiative (ACI)
Handles time-consuming maintenance
Self-regulating and virtually invisible
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

26. Open-Ended 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. Discuss virtualization.
Have students turn to the end of Chapter 5 in their textbooks to view the same “Open-Ended” questions/statements

27. Open-Ended 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 a Device Wizard and Windows Update.
Have students turn to the end of Chapter 5 in their textbooks to view the same “Open-Ended” questions/statements