Chapter+2+Using+System+Software

=Students can contribute here!= Pick a topic or two and give us some bullet point information on the following topics.

What are the three categories of system software?

 * 1) Operating System
 * 2) Utility Programs
 * 3) Device Drivers

What is a computer platform?
Platforms include a computer's architecture, operating system, programming languages.It is some sort of combination of hardware architecture and framework software, which allows software to run.

What are the 4 types of operating systems? Can you describe or list an example of a computer system that uses each of these 4?

 * Real-time O/S: One function robotics like air conditioning, coffee maker ~ 90% of the world's computers.
 * Single-User, Single-task: as in older mobile phone systems, one function at a time e.g can't phone call and play games etc.
 * Single-user, Multi-task: as in newer "smart" phones such as androids, whereby a single machine may carry out various tasks at once like internet browser and phone call.
 * Multi-user, Multi-task: Network systems such as software used globally at the same time. ATM machines for instance may be used all over by various individuals at same time.

List the most common operating systems used on personal computers today.

 * Microsoft Windows
 * Mac
 * Linux

List the most common operating systems used on smartphones today.

 * Apple iO/S
 * Google Android
 * RIM's Blackberry OS
 * Nokia Symbian
 * Windows Phone 7

What are the 5 things that an operating system is responsible for handling?

 * 1) Provides a user interface (command prompt, menu shell, GUI)
 * 2) Manage processor (CPU)
 * 3) Manage memory and storage (RAM, Drives)
 * 4) Manages hardware and peripheral devices (plug and play devices, device drivers, printers, scanners)
 * 5) Coordinate application sofrware with the CPU (API - Application program interface)

What are the steps involved in the Boot process for a PC?

 * 1) the basic input/output system (BIOS) is activated
 * 2) a power-on self-test (POST) checks attached hardware
 * 3) the operating system loads onto RAM
 * 4) configuration and cuztamization settings are checked

Describe how an operating system helps a user keep a system organized (file management).
A logical file hierarchy.

What type of utility programs are used on a PC? Give some examples of each type.
generally utility programs are used for system maintenance and file compression, for example,
 * Backup & Restore utility- allows you to create a back up copy of the data on your hard drive
 * Ease of Access Center- a technological aid in adjusting your pc's settings
 * Task Scheduler-allows you to schedule tasks to automatically run at pre determined settings
 * System Restore- lets you roll your system settings back to a specific date
 * file compression utiity- takes out redundancies in a file to reduce the file size