WIXLIB

Utility ProgramsOperating Systems continued.

Types of Operating SystemsA device-dependent program is one that runsonly on a specific type of computer. Proprietary software is privately owned andlimited to a specific vendor or computermodel. The trend today is towards deviceindependent operating systems that run oncomputers provided by a variety ofmanufacturers. The three basic categories that exist todayare stand-alone, server, and embedded.

Types of Operating Systems

Stand-Alone Operating SystemsA stand-alone operating system is acomplete operating system that works on adesktop computer, notebook computer, ormobile computing device. Some are client operating systems that workin conjunction with a server operatingsystem, with or without a network. Examples of stand-alone OSs are WindowsVista, Mac OS X, UNIX, and Linux.

Windows VistaWindows Vista WAS Microsoft’s fastest,most efficient operating system to date,offering quicker program start up, built-indiagnostics, automatic recovery, improvedsecurity, and enhanced searching andorganizing capabilities. Windows 7, more recently, is a muchbetter build than the previous WindowsVista.

Windows VistaWindows Vista comes in multiple editionsincluding: Home Basic, Home Premium,Ultimate, and Business. Each offers more system functionalitythan the previous editions.

Windows VistaWindows Firewall is used to secure thenetwork connection from hackers. Windows Messenger users can send andreceive instant messages. Windows Media Player allows users to listento music and watch movies. Windows Sidebar is a vertical bar on the edgeof the desktop where users can placegadgets, or widgets, which are mini-programswith minimal functionality, such as calendars,clocks, and contact lists.

Windows Vista

Mac OS XApple’s Macintosh operating systemhas set the standard for operating systemease of use and has been the model formost of the new GUIs developed for nonMacintosh systems. The latest version, Mac OS X, is amultitasking operating system availableonly for computers manufactured byApple. (10.6.6 is the latest version)

Mac OS X Includes features from previous version ofthe OS, such as large photo-quality icons,built-in networking support, email, chat,and so on.

UNIXUNIX is a multitasking operating systemdeveloped in the early 1970s by scientistsat Bell Laboratories. Bell Labs was prohibited from activelypromoting UNIX, but licensed it for lowfees to numerous colleges. Several versions exist, each are slightlydifferent. Some versions have a command-lineinterface, but most have a GUI.

LinuxLinux, introduced in 1991, is a popular,multitasking UNIX type operating system. Linux is not proprietary software, like theother OSs discussed thus far. Instead it isopen source software, which means its codeis provided for use, modification, andredistribution. Many programmers have donated time tomodify and redistribute Linux to make itthe best possible version of UNIX.

LinuxLinux is available in a variety of forms,known as distributions, some commandline, some GUI. The two most popular GUIs are GNOMEand KDE. It can be downloaded for free from theWeb, purchased from companies such asRed Hat or IBM, or included with booksin the form of an optical disc.

Server Operating SystemsA server operating system is an OS that isdesigned specifically to support anetwork, and typically resides on a server. Many stand-alone OSs discussed functionas clients and work in conjunction with aserver OS.

Windows Server 2008 Windows Server 2008 is an upgrade toWindows Server 2003 and includesfeatures from previous versions as well as: Improved Web server managementEnhanced server securityNetwork Access ProtectionProtection against malicious software attacksShares many technologies with WindowsSupports clients with various OSs

Windows Server 2008 Windows Server 2008 family includesmany editions to meet the needs of all sizesof business. StandardEnterpriseDatacenterServerServer for Itanium-Based SystemsMost feature virtualization, which is thepractice of sharing or pooling resources tosplit one physical server into multiple virtualservers.

UNIXIn addition to being a standard OS, UNIXis also a server OS capable of handling ahigh volume of transactions in a multiuserenvironment. It is known as a multipurpose operatingsystem because it is both a stand-aloneand a server OS.

Linux Linux is also a multipurpose OS capableof functioning as a server.

Solaris Solaris, a version of UNIX developed bySun Microsystems, is a server operatingsystem designed specifically for ecommerce applications.

NetWareNovell’s NetWare is a server operatingsystem designed for client/servernetworks. It has a server portion on the networkserver and a client portion on each clientcomputer.

Embedded Operating Systems An embedded operating system is onmobile devices and money consumerelectronics and resides on a ROM chip.

Windows Embedded CEWindows Embedded CE is a scaleddown Windows OS designed for use oncommunications, entertainment, andcomputing devices. Devices include VoIP telephones, industrialcontrol devices, digital cameras, point-of-saleterminals, automated teller machines, digitalphoto frames, fuel pumps, security robots,handheld navigation devices, media players,ticket machines, and computerized sewingmachines.

Windows MobileWindows Mobile is an operating systembased on Windows Embedded CE thatincludes functionality, programs, and auser interface designed for specific typesof smart phones and PDAs. Users have access to all the basicpersonal information manager functionssuch as contact lists, schedules, tasks,calendars, and notes.

Palm OSPalm OS runs on smart phones and PDAsallowing users to manage schedules andcontacts, phone messages, notes, task andaddress lists, and appointments. Many devices allow users to connectwirelessly to the Internet, browse theWeb, send and receive e-mail messages,text messages, and instant messages andso on.

iPhone OSiPhone OS, developed by Apple, is anoperating system for the iPhone and iPodtouch, Apple’s smart phone and touchscreen portable media player. These devices are multi-touch, whichmeans they recognize multiple points ofcontact, allowing users to pinch-to-zoom.

BlackBerryThe BlackBerry operating system runs onhandheld devices supplied by Research InMotion. They provide all of the personalinformation management functions of theother embedded OSs.

Embedded Linux Embedded Linux is a scaled-down LinuxOS designed for smart phones, PDAs,portable media players, Internettelephones, and many other types ofdevices and computer requiring anembedded operating system.

Symbian OS Symbian OS is an open source multitaskingOS designed for smart phones.

Utility ProgramsA utility program, also called a utility,is a type of system software that allows auser to perform maintenance-type tasks,usually related to managing a computer, itsdevices, or its programs. Utility programs are built-in to manyoperating systems or can be purchasedseparately.

Utility Programs Functions providedinclude: managingfiles, searching forfiles, viewing images,uninstalling programs,cleaning up disks,defragmenting disks,backing up files anddisks, setting upscreen savers,securing a computer,etc.

File ManagerA file manager is a utility that performsfunctions related to file management, such asdisplaying a list of files on a storage medium,organizing files in folders, copying renaming,deleting moving and sorting files and folders,and creating shortcuts. A folder is a specific named location on astorage medium that contains relateddocuments. A shortcut is an icon on the desktop or ina folder that provides a user with immediateaccess to a program or file.

File Manager The file manager that comes withwindows is called Explorer.

Search UtilityA search utility is a program that attemptsto locate a file on your computer based oncriteria you specify. The criteria may include a word or wordscontained in a file, date of creation ormodification, size of the file, location, filename, author, and other properties. Search utilities typically use an index, whichstores a variety of information about the file,including its name, date created andmodified, and author to quickly locate thefile.

Search Utility In Windows, Explorer and the Start Menucontain a search box where you enter thesearch criteria.

Image ViewerAn image viewer isa utility that allowsusers to display, copy,and print thecontents of a graphicsfile, such as a photo. Windows Photo Galleryallows you to manageand edit photos.

UninstallerAn uninstaller is a utility that removes aprogram, as well as any associated entriesin the system files. When you install a program, the OSkeeps record of it. The uninstaller deletes these files andfolders when a program is uninstalled. In Windows, this is done through theControl Panel: ‘Uninstall a program’.

Disk Cleanup A disk cleanup utility searches for andremoves unnecessary files, includingdownloaded program files, temporaryInternet files, deleted files, and unusedprogram files.

Disk DefragmenterA disk defragmenter is a utility thatreorganizes the files and unused space on acomputer’s hard disk so that the operatingsystem accesses data more quickly andprograms run faster. It attempts to place data in sectors that arecontiguous (next to each other) whenpossible, a process known asdefragmenting. When contents of a file are scattered acrossnoncontiguous sectors, the file is fragmented.

Backup and Restore UtilitiesA backup utility allows users to copy, orback up, selected files or an entire harddisk to another storage medium such asan external hard disk. Many backup programs compress, orshrink the size of, files during the backupprocess, requiring less storage. A restore utility, reverses the processand returns the backed up files to theiroriginal form.

Screen SaverA screen save is a utility that causes adisplay device’s screen to show a movingimage or blank screen if no keyboard ormouse activity occurs for a specified time,waking when input is detected. Originally developed to prevent aproblem called ghosting, in which imagescould be etched permanently on amonitor’s screen.

Personal FirewallA personal firewall is a utility thatdetects and protects a personal computerfrom unauthorized intrusions, monitoringall transmissions to and from a computer. Without a firewall, the computer isvulnerable to attacks from a hacker,someone who tries to access a computeror network illegally. Windows has a built in firewall,calledWindows Firewall.

Antivirus ProgramsA computer virus is a potentiallydamaging computer program that affects,or infects, a computer negatively byaltering the way the computer workswithout the user’s knowledge orpermission. Once inside, a virus can spread anddamage your files and operating system,while other viruses can be harmlesspranks.

Antivirus ProgramsMalware (malicious software) is softwarethat acts without a user’s knowledge anddeliberately alters the computer’soperations. A worm copies itself repeatedly, forexample, in memory or over a network,using up system resources. A Trojan horse hides within or lookslike a legitimate program such as a screensaver.

Antivirus ProgramsAn antivirus program protects acomputer against viruses by identifyingand removing any computer viruses foundin memory, storage, or incoming files. They require regular updates to protectusers against newly discovered and newlycreated viruses. Three popular types are McAfeeVirusScan, Norton AntiVirus, andWindows Live OneCare.

Spyware and Adware RemoversSpyware is a program placed on a computerwithout the user’s knowledge that secretlycollects information about the user. Adware is a program that displays an onlineadvertisement in a banner or pop-upwindow on Web pages, e-mail, or Internetservices, and sometimes contains spyware. Spyware removers and adware removersare programs that detect and delete spywareand adware, respectively.