An operating system (abbreviated OS) is essentially the path through which a computer accesses files, games, the Internet, and all vital stored information. The OS is the most important program on a computer because it runs all of the other programs. The major operating systems are Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and Unix. The operating system is essential to the computer, and so extreme care should be taken when choosing an operating system.
Consider Its Use
Consider what operating system will be used for. If the OS is for a business, an operating system that can handle important business data should be selected. If the OS is for a college student, one might consider an OS that is optimal for gaming, yet still has a nice word processor. Finally, if the operating system were for a new computer user, then a user-friendly, simple OS would be best. Knowing this, one must also consider what software is available for the operating system. Some software is only available on certain computers. This often leaves Macintosh OS X, Linux, and Unix in the dark because most of the computer market runs on Microsoft operating systems. Most computers come standard with a certain operating system (Apple computers have Mac OS X and most PCs have Windows XP). Therefore, it is sometimes important to consider the OS even when selecting a computer.
Security
Security is the biggest priority for many computer users, especially businesses. Some OS have stronger security than others. Macintosh has been called "the iron man of operating systems" because of its ability to keep hackers out, while Windows has been criticized for being easy to hack. Do not let security completely deter you, however. Most operating systems can be "hardened" and with constant security updates, made safer from hackers.
Pros and Cons of The Big Four
Every operating system has its positive and negative elements. There is no perfect operating system. Keeping this in mind, consider the most common operating systems (Mac OS X, Windows, Linux, and Unix). Mac OS X is great for keeping out hackers and for graphic design. However some problems are the fact that certain software is not available for Macs. If the OS is for a college student who would rather play Half-Life 2 than study, then Mac OS X is not the best choice. Windows is very good for compatibility, since most consumers use Windows. Windows also comes with applications like Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Internet Explorer. Unfortunately, Windows is weak against viruses and can get bogged down easily. Unix is good for networks, especially if for businesses. Unix has also been around for almost 30 years, so it is quite dependable. One drawback of Unix is the cost, which can sometimes be a bit expensive. Unix is also complicated, which can confuse beginners. The final OS, Linux, is free and completely customizable. However, one major drawback is the extreme scarcity of applications for Linux. Microsoft and other software developers are often very reluctant to release their products for Linux.
Conclusion
Whatever operating system one chooses, it needs to be the system that will best fit the needs of the consumer. All operating systems have good and bad elements. Understanding how each system works, and the system's pros and cons is a must for anyone deciding on a computer and OS. An OS selection based on research and understanding will certainly yield the highest satisfaction.
Josef Delinga loves writing about computers and CEOs, especially Steve Jobs and Apple Computers.
Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains is very generic accounting application... Read More
... Read More
The first thing that you will notice about Linux Red... Read More
Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains, former Great Plains Software Dynamics/eEnterprise... Read More
Handling character strings in Java is supported through two final... Read More
Have you noticed WordPerfect is gearing up for a comeback... Read More
Whether you are a small consultancy firm, a medium sized... Read More
As of now - Great Plains Dynamics/eEnterprise is transformed/renamed into... Read More
If you feel intimidated when someone tries to teach you... Read More
While I was in college, if you would have asked... Read More
If you copy something from a Web site or elsewhere...... Read More
Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains is very popular ERP platform... Read More
IntroductionDuring the early years of our modern computer era, very... Read More
It's all about turn times in the eMedia industry! The... Read More
When it comes to screenplay software each screenwriter needs to... Read More
FTP stands for "file transfer protocol". FTP is basically a... Read More
The java programming language is becoming more and more popular... Read More
Microsoft Business Solutions Small Business Manager is Great Plains Dexterity... Read More
The term "document management" and "paperless office" is the subject... Read More
This article is the third of a series of articles... Read More
We all take the computer for granted. I mean, all... Read More
Just stress testing one of the latest Linux distributions. Been... Read More
Once upon a time not so long ago, there was... Read More
Accounts payable is just one area of office management where... Read More
Looks like Microsoft Great Plains becomes more and more popular,... Read More
Bill of Lading is required report for Logistics and Freight... Read More
Upgrading. Downtime. Maintenance. Hardware obsolescence. Implementation issues. The litany of... Read More
Lotus Domino/Notes ? Microsoft Great Plains tandem as ERP with... Read More
eStore Advantage allows front-office applications to communicate with back-office business... Read More
So, you've bought a new Macintosh, and now you may... Read More
IntroductionPHP can be used for a lot of different things,... Read More
Microsoft Great Plains, former Great Plains Software Dynamics, eEnterprise has... Read More
You would like to protect your documents, wouldn't you? Reasons... Read More
Once upon a time not so long ago, there was... Read More
Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains was historically designed to serve... Read More
Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains is very good fit for... Read More
Several software companies design programs for preventive maintenance. Most of... Read More
Looks like Microsoft Great Plains becomes more and more... Read More
Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains, Navision, Axapta, Solomon and CRM... Read More
Microsoft Great Plains is now targeting large and midsize businesses... Read More
Heard about the Quark "killer"?Adobe InDesign CS2. Will it really... Read More
When Great Plains Software was designing and developing Great Plains... Read More
Itâ??s easy to understand why you might be drawn to... Read More
When you visit department stores and see that majority of... Read More
When making a decision to buy any piece of software... Read More
What is IRC?IRC is Internet Relay Chat. It is a... Read More
Microsoft Great Plains may be recommended for international freight forwarding... Read More
New post-recession era has new features, which didn't exist in... Read More
Did you ever give a thought to the number of... Read More
Stealing company information used to be the specialty of spies... Read More
There are plenty of articles out there about how to... Read More
Whether you are an experienced web programmer or a complete... Read More
The fact that a software tester is a most infamous... Read More
1. Replace Dexterity cursor with SQL Stored Procedure Dexterity... Read More
Looking at all the ads which promise to get rid... Read More
A LOT OF UNWANTED FILES.When you uninstall an item of... Read More
When it comes to running an office, the SOHO entrepreneur... Read More
Domino server is a buffer between the operation system and... Read More
Follow the steps below to quickly design, generate, and deploy... Read More
Usually workflow & messaging is realized in CRM and then... Read More
Several years ago Microsoft purchased Great Plains Software, then Navision... Read More
Creating a new markup language.Introduction.General Reuse Markup Langauge, or GRML,... Read More
This short paper will expand on two key reasons to... Read More
Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains is marketed for mid-size companies... Read More
Scrapbooks are very popular these days. I think that almost... Read More
MS CRM is very close to document workflow automation, including... Read More
Software |