System Fundamentals Week 7 - CameronProvost/Tech-Journal GitHub Wiki

Basic Operating Systems Overview

An Operating system or OS is something all computers require to operate. There are many operating systems with the most popular being Windows, IOS, and Linux. Operating systems can be either graphic based interfaces or command based interfaces. GUI’s use graphics and a user controlled interface that is more friendly to the average user, while command based operating systems require the user to have a knowledge of commands to navigate the data. Files are what operating systems use to store and sort data, and those files can then also be organized in storage places called folders.

User Interaction With Operating Systems

In the normal GUI interface, upon unlocking the system the user will have access to a desktop. The desktop is a screen with icons that allows the user to easily navigate the system and the files it has. Each program and or file has an icon that the user can easily click on to open and view the data. The desktop can also be modified by the user to make tasks easier or to change the graphics if the user wants to customize things.

Overview of Popular Operating Systems

The most popular operating systems are Windows, IOS, and Linux. Linux being an open source free software which means it is the most customizable, and comes in many different forms. There are many different linux flavors created by people to cater towards the users intended uses of the system. Windows which has evolved over the years still looks pretty similar to its original form. Windows opens up to a desktop with a taskbar on the bottom of the screen. The desktop is intended to hold graphics that when clicked lead the user to their desired program, while other programs not on the desktop can be accessed through the task bar. IOS is the least customizable of the three main operating systems. Created by Apple, they try to prevent users from modifying their system as much as possible.

32 Bit VS 64 Bit Operating Systems

When determining what operating system to choose the user has to pick either a 32 bit or 64 bit system. This decision is determined by the processor that the system has. If the system has a 32 bit processor then the operating system should match, same if the processor is 64 bit.

Update Concerns

Updating Windows is very important because new vulnerabilities and bugs are found everyday. Keeping an operating system updated is crucial to making sure your system and data are protected and ensure they run smoothly.

Compatibility Concerns

When upgrading to a 64 bit operating system from a 32 bit system there are compatibility concerns when it comes to programs and files. Some programs may not be compatible for the upgrade so they will no longer work.

Corporate Operating System Needs

Corporate operating systems and employment are much more intensive than any other installation due to the bulk of systems. The systems also need to be uniform or different systems have different requirements. Disk imaging is common in the corporate environment where an exact image of a disk is taken and implemented into systems across the company. These companies also use an automated system to apply and install systems and changes to many systems at once.

Managing Windows Files and Folders

Managing files and folders on a system is essential to efficiently complete tasks and find files. Microsoft offers different systems to help stay organized and manage the data on a system effectively.

Introduction To Windows Control Panel Utilities

The Control Panel provides many tools to find, organize and make changes to different systems and programs. The control panel GUI allows the user to easily find the system they are trying to view or modify to help optimize their system.

Windows Registry

The windows registry holds lots of information about the system such as user information and the applications installed on the system. It also holds property information about folders and applications as well as stating what hardware the system has.

Editing the Windows Registry

Editing the windows registry is a great way to troubleshoot any issues the user may come across. All the programs and information about the hardware are located in the registry so a user can easily modify it to solve problems.

Backing Up Data

Backing up data is very important because in the event of a crash the backup will keep the data from being lost. Many people backup their data in a remote location like cloud storage. Data can also be backed up locally on an external drive or storage device.