Computing Essentials 2008

Chapter 5: System Software

• System Software (121)
o System software works with end users, application software, and computer
hardware to handle the majority of technical details.
o It is a collection or a system of programs that handle hundreds of technical details
with little or no user intervention.
o There are four types of programs that makeup system software

Operating systems - coordinate computer resources, provide an interface
between users and the computer, and run applications.

Utilities - perform specific tasks related to managing computer resources.

Device drivers - specialized programs that allow particular input or output
devices to communicate with the rest of the computer system.

Language translators - convert the programming instructions written by
programmers into a language that computers understand and process.
• Operating Systems (123)
o An operating system is a collection of programs that handle many of the technical
details related to using a computer.
o An operating system is the most important type of computer program.
o Functions

Managing resources - memory, processing, storage, and devices such as
printers and monitors.

Provide user interface – How the user interacts with the computer. Almost
all newer operating systems use a graphical user interface (GUI).

Running applications - load and run applications such as word processors
and spreadsheets. Most operating systems support multitasking, or the
ability to switch between different applications stored in memory.
o Features

Booting – The process of starting up or restarting the operating system.
• Warm boot – occurs when the computer is already on, and you
restart it without turning off the power.
• Cold boot – is starting the computer when it is turned off.
• Desktop – A place which provides access to computer resources.

Icons—graphic representations for a program or function.

Pointer—controlled by a mouse and changes shape depending upon its
current function.

Windows—rectangular areas for displaying information and running
programs.

Menus—provide a list of options or commands.

Dialog boxes—provide information or request input.

Help—provides online assistance for operating system functions and
procedures.

File management system
• Files are used to store data and programs.
• Folders store related files. They can contain other folders for
organizational purposes.
o Categories (124)

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Computing Essentials 2008
Chapter 5: System Software

Embedded operating systems are used for handheld computers and
smaller devices like PDAs. The operating system programs are
permanently stored on ROM,

Network operating systems (NOS) are used to control and coordinate
computers that are networked or linked together. Typically located on one
of the connected computers’ hard disks, called the network server, this
computer coordinates all communication between the other computers.

Stand-alone operating systems, also called desktop operating systems,
control a single desktop or notebook computer. Often desktop computers
and notebooks are part of a network and are referred to as the client
operating system.
o Software environment, or platform (125)

Almost all application programs are designed to run with a specific
platform.

Windows, Mac OS, and Linux are operating systems commonly used by
individuals.
o Microsoft’s Windows (125)

The most popular microcomputer operating system today with over 90
percent of the market.

More application programs are developed to run under Windows than any
other operating system.

Next version: Vista
• Advanced system security to guard against malicious files and
programs, including spyware.
• Three-dimensional workspace capable of displaying transparent
cascading windows.
• New file system called WinFS (Windows Future Storage) that
keeps track of files stored on your computer system so that it is
possible to locate files based on a description of their content.
o MAC OS (127)

One of the first GUIs, making it easy even for novice computer users to
move and delete files.

Designed to run with Apple computers.

Not nearly as widely used as the Windows operating system.

Fewer application programs have been written for it.

One of the most innovative operating systems.

It is popular with professional graphic designers, desktop publishers, and
many home users.

Mac OS X, Tiger
• Spotlight is an advanced search tool that can rapidly locate files,
folders, email messages, addresses, and much more.
• Dashboard Widgets are a collection of specialized programs that
will constantly update and display information.
• Next version: Leopard
o Unix (127)

Originally designed to run on minicomputers in network environments.

Now, it is also used by powerful microcomputers

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Chapter 5: System Software

There are a large number of different versions, Linux is one of these
versions

Linux
• Open source operating system
• Invented at the University of Helsinki by Linus Torvalds in 1991.
• One of the most popular and powerful alternatives to the Windows
operating system.
• Modifications and improvements to the OS is encouraged.
• Utilities (128)
o Specialized programs designed to make computing easier.
o Essential programs:

Troubleshooting or diagnostic programs that recognize and correct
problems, ideally before they become serious.

Antivirus programs that guard your computer system against viruses or
other damaging programs that can invade your computer system.

Uninstall programs that allow you to safely and completely remove
unneeded programs and related files from your hard disk.

Backup programs that make copies of files to be used in case the originals
are lost or damaged.

File compression programs that reduce the size of files so they require less
storage space and can be sent more efficiently over the Internet.
o Window Utilities

Backup is a utility program included with the many versions of Windows
that makes a copy of all files or selected files that have been saved onto a
disk. It helps to protect you from the effects of a disk failure. (Figure 5-10
on page 129 illustrates the Backup utility)

Disk Cleanup is a trouble-shooting utility that identifies and eliminates
nonessential files. This frees up valuable disk space and improves system
performance. (Figure 5-11 on page 130 illustrates the Disk Cleanup
utility)

Disk Defragmenter is a utility program that locates and eliminates
unnecessary fragments and rearranges files and unused disk space to
optimize operations.
o Utility Suites

Combine several programs into one package.

Buying the package is less expensive than buying the programs separately

The three best-known utility suites are McAfee Office, Norton
SystemWorks, and V Communications SystemSuite.

Norton SystemWorks
• Norton AntiVirus is a collection of antivirus programs that can
protect a system from over 21,000 different viruses, quarantine or
delete existing viruses, and automatically update its virus list to
check for the newest viruses.
• Norton CleanSweep is a collection of programs that guide you
through the process of safely removing programs and files you no
longer need.

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Computing Essentials 2008
Chapter 5: System Software
• Web CleanUp is a collection of programs that check your
computer system for unnecessary files, including temporary files
created by application programs, cache files, history files, and
cookies.
• Connection Keep Alive prevents dial-up Internet connections
from timing out by simulating online user activity during periods
of inactivity.
• GoBack Personal Edition will restore system configurations, help
to locate lost files, and repair damaged files.
• Norton Utilities is a collection of several separate troubleshooting
utilities. These programs can be used to find and fix problems,
improve system performance, prevent problems from occurring,
and troubleshoot a variety of other problems.
• Device Drivers (133)
o A program associated with every hardware device on a computer.
o Work with the operating system to allow communication between the device and
the rest of the computer system.
o The operating system loads all of the device drivers into memory.
o Whenever a new device is added to a computer system, a new device driver must
be installed before the device can be used.
• Making it Work for You (134)
o Virus and Internet Security
o Walks the student through installing McAfee
o It discusses the Internet Security Suite which includes

VirusScan

PersonalFirewall

PrivacyService
• Careers in IT (137)
o Computer Support Specialists

provide technical support to customers and other users.

manage the everyday technical problems faced by computer users.

resolve common networking problems and may use troubleshooting
programs to diagnose problems.

Degrees in computer science or information systems may be preferred.
• A Look to the Future (137)
o Autonomic computing (Self-healing computers)
o Computers may becoming too complex for humans to oversee.
o IBM announced plans to make self-repairing, self-updating, and self-protecting
computers.

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