ITFM Project

8/3/2019 ITFM Project

1/42

1 | P a g e

Amity Business School

Amity University

Project Report on

Operating Systems

Submitted in Partial fulfillment ofITM Course curriculum

Submitted By:

Ronak Agarwal D43

Niharika D10

Submitted to:

Mr. Gaurav Chandiok


2/42

2 | P a g e

Contents

Acknowledgemet

Certificate

I. Introduction6II. Technological Aspect..9

a. History..9b. Mainframes..9c. Microcomputers.13d. Types of Operating Sytem.14e. Components16

III. Business Aspects.24IV. Research Paper and Articles.26V.

References...42


3/42

3 | P a g e

CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that Mr. Ronak Agarwal and Ms. Niharika working in a group have

satisfactorily completed Project " Operating Systems " towards the partial fulfillment ofdegree in MBA (Marketing & Sales) awarded by AMITY UNIVERSITY,Noida for the

academic year 2011-2012.

Project Guide: Head of the Department:

Mr.Gaurav Chandok Mr. .

Sign: Sign:


4/42

4 | P a g e

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We would like to express my gratitude to those whose insights and thoughts helped me in

furthering my knowledge and understanding of my research.

To begin with we would like to thankProf. Mr. Hargovind Kakkar, Program Director who

gave us an opportunity to synergize ourselves to prepare this project.

We take it as my privilege to acknowledge the encouragement, guidance and the required timely

help provided by Mr Gaurav Chandiokour mentor for the project.

We would like to thank all our friends who have directly or indirectly contributed to our project.

Ronak Agarwal

Niharika


5/42

5 | P a g e

Chapter 1

Introduction


6/42

6 | P a g e

Introduction

An operating system or OS is a software program that enables the computer hardware to

communicate and operate with the computer software.Without a computer operating system, a

computer and software programs would be useless. It is considered the backbone of a computer,.

Operating systems are responsible for everything from the control and allocation of memory to

recognizing input from external devices and transmitting output to computer displays. They also

manage files on computer hard drives and control peripherals, like printers and scanners. Users

can interact with the operating system through a user interface such as a command language or a

graphical user interface (GUI).

Operating systems are found on almost any device that contains a computerfrom cellular

phones and video game consoles to supercomputers and web servers.

Examples of popular modern operating systems for microcomputers include Linux, Android,iOS, Mac OS X, and MicrosoftWindows, and IBM CP-67 IBM System/360 for the

mainframes.


7/42

7 | P a g e

In the early 1950s, a computer could execute only one program at a time. Each user had sole use

of the computer for a limited period of time and would arrive at a scheduled time with program

and data on punched paper cards and/or punched tape. The program would be loaded into the

machine, and the machine would be set to work until the program completed or crashed.

Later machines came with libraries of software, which would be linked to a user's program to

assist in operations such as input and output and generating computer code from human-readable

symbolic code. This was the genesis of the modern-day operating system. However, machines

still ran a single job at a time.

Through the 1950s many major features were pioneered in the field of operating systems,

including batch processing, input/output, multitasking etc.

This started the development of OS for personal computers and giving them ability to multitask

etc. Introduction of operating systems like UNI X,Windows and Mac OS caused aggressive

innovations in this field.


8/42

8 | P a g e

Chapter 2

Technological Aspect


9/42

9 | P a g e

History

In the 1940s, the earliest electronic digital systems had no operating systems. Electronic systems

of this time were so primitive compared to those of today that instructions were often entered

into the system one bit at a time on rows of mechanical switches or by jumper wires on plug

boards.

In early 1950s a computer could run only one program at a time and the limited periods were

divided among people who used it turn by turn. Later machines came with libraries of software,

which would be linked to a user's program to assist in operations such as input and output and

generating computer code from human-readable symbolic code. This was the genesis of the

modern-day operating system.

The development of computers was divided into 2 forms which also divided the operating

systems required to run on them: Mainframes for official and heavy works which the industry

and scientists use and Microcomputers which we use at our homes which were way less

powerful and did less work.

Mainframes

Through the 1950s, many major features were pioneered in the field of operating systems,

including batch processing, input/output interrupt, buffering, multitasking, spooling, runtime

libraries, link-loading, and programs for sorting records in files. In 1959 the SHARE Operating

System was released as an integrated utility for the IBM 704, and later in the 709 and 7090

mainframes.

During the 1960s, IBM's OS/360 introduced the concept of a single OS spanning an entire

product line, which was crucial for the success of the System/360 machines. IBM's current

mainframe operating systems are distant descendants of this original system and applications

written for OS/360 can still be run on modern machines. In the mid-'70s, MVS, a descendant of

OS/360, offered the first implementation of using RAM as a transparent cache for data.


10/42

10 | P a g e

OS/360 also pioneered the concept that the operating system keeps track of all of the system

resources that are used, including program and data space allocation in main memory and file

space in secondary storage, and file locking during update.When the process is terminated for

any reason, all of these resources are re-claimed by the operating system.

Control Data Corporation developed the SCOPE operating system in the 1960s, for batch

processing. In cooperation with the University of Minnesota, the Kronos and later the NOS

operating systems were developed during the 1970s, which supported simultaneous batch and

timesharing use. Like many commercial timesharing systems, its interface was an extension of

the Dartmouth BASIC operating systems, one of the pioneering efforts in timesharing and

programming languages.

In the late 1970s, Control Data and the

University of Illinois developed the PLATO

operating system, which used plasma panel

displays and long-distance time sharing

networks. Plato was remarkably innovative for

its time, featuring real-time chat, and multi-user

graphical games. Burroughs Corporation

introduced the B5000 in 1961 with the MCP,

(Master Control Program) operating system. The

B5000 was a stack machine designed to

exclusively support high-level languages with no machine language or assembler, and indeed the

MCP was the first OS to be written exclusively in a high-level language ESPOL, a dialect of

ALGOL.

UNIVAC, the first commercial computer manufacturer, produced a series of EXEC operating

systems. Like all early main-frame systems, this was a batch-oriented system that managedmagnetic drums, disks, card readers and line printers.

Plato Terminal


11/42

11 | P a g e

The enormous investment in software for these systems made since 1960s caused most of the

original computer manufacturers to continue to develop compatible operating systems along with

the hardware. The notable supported mainframe operating systems include:

* Burroughs MCP B5000, 1961 to Unisys Clearpath/MCP, present.

* IBM OS/360 IBM System/360, 1966 to IBM z/OS, present.

IBM System/360


12/42

12 | P a g e

* IBM CP-67 IBM System/360, 1967 to IBM z/VM, present.

* UNIVAC EXEC 8 UNIVAC 1108, 1967, to OS 2200 Unisys Clearpath Dorado, present.

UNIVAC 1108


13/42

13 | P a g e

Microcomputers

The first microcomputers did not have the

capacity or need for the elaborate

operating systems that had been

developed for mainframes and minis;

minimalistic operating systems were

developed, often loaded from ROM and

known as Monitors. One notable early

disk-based operating system was CP/M,

which was supported on many early microcomputers and was closely imitated by Microsoft's

MS-DOS, which became wildly popular as the operating system chosen for the IBM PC (IBM's

version of it was called IBM DOS or PC DOS). In the '80s, Apple Computer Inc. (now Apple

Inc.) abandoned its popular Apple II series of microcomputers to introduce the Apple Macintosh

computer with an innovative Graphical User Interface (GUI) to the Mac OS.

The introduction of the Intel 80386

CPU chip with 32-bit architecture and

paging capabilities, provided personal

computers with the ability to runmultitasking operating systems like

those of earlier minicomputers and

mainframes. Microsoft responded to

this progress by hiring Dave Cutler,

who had developed the VMS

operating system for Digital

Equipment Corporation.

The GNU Project was started by activist and programmer Richard Stallman with the goal of a

complete free software replacement to the proprietary UNIX operating system.While the project

was highly successful in duplicating the functionality of various parts of UNIX, development of

the GNU Hurd kernel proved to be unproductive. In 1991, Finnish computer science student

MS DOS

MAC OS


14/42

14 | P a g e

Linus Torvalds, with cooperation from volunteers collaborating over the Internet, released the

first version of the Linux kernel. It was soon merged with the GNU user space components and

system software to form a complete operating system. Since then, the combination of the two

major components has usually been referred to as simply "Linux" by the software industry, a

naming convention that Stallman and the Free Software Foundation remain opposed to,

preferring the name GNU/Linux.

Types of Operating System

Real Time

A real-time operating system is a multitasking operating system that aims at executing real-time

applications. The main objective of real-time operating systems is their quick and predictable

response to events. They have an event-driven or time-sharing design and often aspects of both.

An event-driven system switches between tasks based on their priorities or external events while

time-sharing operating systems switch tasks based on clock interrupts.

Multi-tasking vs. Single-tasking

When only a single program is allowed to run at a time, the system is grouped under a single-

tasking system. However, when the operating system allows the execution of multiple tasks at

one time, it is classified as a multi-tasking operating system. Multi-tasking can be of two types:

pre-emptive or co-operative. In pre-emptive multitasking, the operating system slices the CPU

time and dedicates one slot to each of the programs. Unix-like operating systems such as Solaris

and Linux support pre-emptive multitasking. Cooperative multitasking is achieved by relying on

each process to give time to the other processes in a defined manner. MSWindows prior to

Windows 2000 used to support cooperative multitasking. Now most of the systems including

currentWindows are running pre-emptive multitasking kernels.

Multi-user vs. Single-user

A multi-user operating system allows multiple users to access a computer system concurrently.

Time-sharing system can be classified as multi-user systems as they enable a multiple user

access to a computer through the sharing of time. Single-user operating systems, as opposed to a

multi-user operating system, are usable by a single user at a time. Being able to have multiple


15/42

15 | P a g e

accounts on aWindows operating system does not make it a multi-user system. Rather, only the

network administrator is the real user. But for a Unix-like operating system, it is possible for two

users to login at a time and this capability of the OS makes it a multi-user operating system.

Distributed

A distributed operating system manages a group of independent computers and makes them

appear to be a single computer. The development of networked computers that could be linked

and communicate with each other, gave rise to distributed computing. Distributed computations

are carried out on more than one machine.When computers in a group work in cooperation, they

make a distributed system.

Embedded

Embedded operating systems are designed to be used in embedded computer systems. They are

designed to operate on small machines like PDAs with less autonomy. They are able to operate

with a limited number of resources. They are very compact and extremely efficient by design.

Windows CE and Minix 3 are some examples of embedded operating systems.

Mobile Operating System

Though not a functionally distinct kind of operating system, mobile OS is definitely an important

mention in the list of operating system types. A mobile OS controls a mobile device and its

design supports wireless communication and mobile applications. It has built-in support for

mobile multimedia formats. Tablet PCs and smart phones run on mobile operating systems.

Components of Operating system

The components of an operating system all exist in order to make the different parts of a

computer work together. All softwarefrom financial databases to film editorsneeds to go

through the operating system in order to use any of the hardware, whether it is as simple as a

mouse or keyboard or complex as an Internet connection.


16/42

16 | P a g e

Kernal

The kernel is the central part of an operating system, that directly

controls the computer hardware. Usually, the kernel is the first of

the user-installed software on a computer, booting directly after

the BIOS. Operating system kernels are specific to the hardware

on which they are running, thus most operating systems are

distributed with different kernel options that are configured when

the system is installed. Changing major hardware components

such as the motherboard, processor, or memory, often requires a

kernel update. Additionally, often new kernels are offered that

improve system security or performance.

Program execution

The operating system provides an interface between an application program and the computer

hardware, so that an application program can interact with the hardware only by obeying rules

and procedures programmed into the operating system. The operating system is also a set of

services which simplify development and execution of application programs. Executing an

application program involves the creation of a process by the operating system kernel which

assigns memory space and other resources, establishes a priority for the process in multi-tasking

systems, loads program binary code into memory, and initiates execution of the application

program which then interacts with the user and with hardware devices.

Interrupts

Interrupts provide a computer with a way of automatically saving local register contexts, and

running specific code in response to events. Even very basic computers support hardware

interrupts, and allow the programmer to specify code which may be run when that event takes

place.

When an interrupt is received, the computer's hardware automatically suspends whatever

program is currently running, saves its status, and runs computer code previously associated with


17/42

17 | P a g e

the interrupt; this is analogous to placing a bookmark in a book in response to a phone call. In

modern operating systems, interrupts are handled by the operating system's kernel. Interrupts

may come from either the computer's hardware or from the running program.

When a hardware device triggers an interrupt, the operating system's kernel decides how to deal

with this event, generally by running some processing code. The amount of code being run

depends on the priority of the interrupt (for example: a person usually responds to a smoke

detector alarm before answering the phone). The processing of hardware interrupts is a task that

is usually delegated to software called device driver, which may be either part of the operating

system's kernel, part of another program, or both. Device drivers may then relay information to a

running program by various means.

A program may also trigger an interrupt to the operating system. If a program wishes to access

hardware for example, it may interrupt the operating system's kernel, which causes control to be

passed back to the kernel. The kernel will then process the request. If a program wishes

additional resources (or wishes to shed resources) such as memory, it will trigger an interrupt to

get the kernel's attention.

Memory management

Among other things, a multiprogramming operating system kernel must be responsible for

managing all system memory which is currently in use by programs. This ensures that a program

does not interfere with memory already used by another program. Since programs time share,

each program must have independent access to memory.

Cooperative memory management, used by many early operating systems, assumes that all

programs make voluntary use of the kernel's memory manager, and do not exceed their allocated

memory. This system of memory management is almost never seen any more, since programs

often contain bugs which can cause them to exceed their allocated memory. If a program fails, it

may cause memory used by one or more other programs to be affected or overwritten. Malicious

programs or viruses may purposefully alter another program's memory, or may affect the


18/42

18 | P a g e

operation of the operating system itself.With cooperative memory management, it takes only

one misbehaved program to crash the system.

Virtual Memory

The use of virtual memory addressing (such as paging or segmentation) means that the kernel

can choose what memory each program may use at any given time, allowing the operating

system to use the same memory locations for multiple tasks.

If a program tries to access memory that isn't in its current range of accessible memory, but

nonetheless has been allocated to it, the kernel will be interrupted in the same way as it would if

the program were to exceed its allocated memory. Under UNIX this kind of interrupt is referred

to as a page fault.

When the kernel detects a page fault it will generally adjust the virtual memory range of the

program which triggered it, granting it access to the memory requested. This gives the kernel

discretionary power over where a particular application's memory is stored, or even whether or

not it has actually been allocated yet.

In modern operating systems, memory which is accessed less frequently can be temporarily

stored on disk or other media to make that space available for use by other programs. This is

called swapping, as an area of memory can be used by multiple programs, and what that memory

area contains can be swapped or exchanged on demand.

Multitasking

Multitasking refers to the running of multiple independent computer programs on the same

computer; giving the appearance that it is performing the tasks at the same time. Since most

computers can do at most one or two things at one time, this is generally done via time-sharing,

which means that each program uses a share of the computer's time to execute.

An operating system kernel contains a piece of software called a scheduler which determines

how much time each program will spend executing, and in which order execution control should

be passed to programs. Control is passed to a process by the kernel, which allows the program

access to the CPU and memory. Later, control is returned to the kernel through some mechanism,


19/42

19 | P a g e

so that another program may be allowed to use the CPU. This so-called passing of control

between the kernel and applications is called a context switch.

Disk access and file systems

Access to data stored on disks is a central feature of all operating systems. Computers store data

on disks using files, which are structured in specific ways in order to allow for faster access,

higher reliability, and to make better use out of the drive's available space. The specific way in

which files are stored on a disk is called a file system, and enables files to have names and

attributes. It also allows them to be stored in a hierarchy of directories or folders arranged in a

directory tree.

While many simpler operating systems support a limited range of options for accessing storage

systems, operating systems like UNIX and GNU/Linux support a technology known as a virtual

file system or VFS. An operating system such as UNIX supports a wide array of storage devices,

regardless of their design or file systems, allowing them to be accessed through a common

application programming interface (API). This makes it unnecessary for programs to have any

knowledge about the device they are accessing.

A connected storage device, such as a hard drive, is accessed through a device driver. The device

driver understands the specific language of the drive and is able to translate that language into a

standard language used by the operating system to access all disk drives. On UNIX, this is the

language of block devices

Various differences between file systems make supporting all file systems difficult. Allowed

characters in file names, case sensitivity, and the presence of various kinds of file attributes

makes the implementation of a single interface for every file system a daunting task. Operating

systems tend to recommend using (and so support natively) file systems specifically designed for

them.


20/42

20 | P a g e

Device drivers

A device driver is a specific type of computer

software developed to allow interaction with

hardware devices. Typically this constitutes an

interface for communicating with the device,

through the specific computer bus or

communications subsystem that the hardware

is connected to, providing commands to and/or

receiving data from the device, and on the

other end, the requisite interfaces to the operating system and software applications. It is a

specialized hardware-dependent computer program which is also operating system specific that

enables another program, typically an operating system or applications software package or

computer program running under the operating system kernel, to interact transparently with a

hardware device, and usually provides the requisite interrupt handling necessary for any

necessary asynchronous time-dependent hardware interfacing needs.

Networking

Currently most operating systems support a variety of networking protocols, hardware, and

applications for using them. This means that computers running dissimilar operating systems can

participate in a common network for sharing resources such as computing, files, printers, and

scanners using either wired or wireless connections. Networks can essentially allow a computer's

operating system to access the resources of a remote computer to support the same functions as it

could if those resources were connected directly to the local computer. This includes everything

from simple communication, to using networked file systems or even sharing another computer's

graphics or sound hardware. Some network services allow the resources of a computer to be

accessed transparently, such as SSH which allows networked users direct access to a computer'scommand line interface.

Client/server networking allows a program on a computer, called a client, to connect via a

network to another computer, called a server. Servers offer (or host) various services to other


21/42

21 | P a g e

network computers and users. These services are usually provided through ports or numbered

access points beyond the server's network address.

Security

A computer being secure depends on a number of technologies working properly. A modern

operating system provides access to a number of resources, which are available to software

running on the system, and to external devices like networks via the kernel.

The operating system must be capable of distinguishing between requests which should be

allowed to be processed, and others which should not be processed.While some systems may

simply distinguish between "privileged" and "non-privileged", systems commonly have a form

of requester identity, such as a user name.

External security involves a request from outside the computer, such as a login at a connected

console or some kind of network connection. Network services include offerings such as file

sharing, print services, email, web sites, and file transfer protocols (FTP), most of which can

have compromised security. At the front line of security are hardware devices known as firewalls

or intrusion detection/prevention systems. At the operating system level, there are a number of

software firewalls available, as well as intrusion detection/prevention systems. Most modern

operating systems include a software firewall, which is enabled by default. A software firewall

can be configured to allow or deny network traffic to or from a service or application running on

the operating system. Therefore, one can install and be running an insecure service, such as

Telnet or FTP, and not have to be threatened by a security breach because the firewall would

deny all traffic trying to connect to the service on that port.

Internal security is especially relevant for multi-user systems; it allows each user of the system to

have private files that the other users cannot tamper with or read. Internal security is also vital if

auditing is to be of any use, since a program can potentially bypass the operating system,inclusive of bypassing auditing.


22/42

22 | P a g e

Graphical User interface

Most of the modern computer systems support graphical user interfaces (GUI), and often include

them. In some computer systems, such as the original implementation of Mac OS, the GUI is

integrated into the kernel.

While technically a graphical user interface is not an operating system service, incorporating

support for one into the operating system kernel can allow the GUI to be more responsive by

reducing the number of context switches required for the GUI to perform its output functions.

Other operating systems are modular, separating the graphics subsystem from the kernel and the

Operating System. Modern releases of MicrosoftWindows such asWindows Vista implement a

graphics subsystem that is mostly in user-space; however the graphics drawing routines of

versions betweenWindows

NT 4.0 andWindows Server

2003 exist mostly in kernel

space.

Graphical user interfaces

evolve over time. For

example,Windows has

modified its user interface

almost every time a new

major version ofWindows is released, and the Mac OS GUI changed dramatically with the

introduction of Mac OS X in 1999.


23/42

23 | P a g e

Chapter 3

Business Aspect


24/42

24 | P a g e

Business Aspect

Today there are many operating systems available in the market, UNIX,Windows; Mac OS are

some of the most commonly used. Some of them are available for free to the user whereas others

are to be paid for. Microsoft is one of the biggest players in the field of operating systems; more

than 85% of the computers are running on windows. Entering this business is very difficult due

to the extensive marketing techniques used by Microsoft to ensure that almost every new PC sold

today has a copy of its latest offering preinstalled on it. Mac OS being the 2nd most used OS

followed by LINUX and UNIX which are available freely and can be installed on a users pc as

per his choice.

Apple Mac OS and MicrosoftWindows are the operating systems being used by the people

worldwide in their homes, whereas LINUX, UNIX, Solaris etc are being used by corporate for

running their servers and maintaining databases.

Management or business requires OS which are most secure and can handle multitasking very

well. A business operating system should be dependable and should perform well under any

circumstances, its important due to the increasing dependence on PCs.

Security is the biggest concern of a business as it has to protect the sensitive data like account

details in case of a bank, or future plans concept products etc for a manufacturing firm etc. These

details are confidential and are to be protected against any intrusion for which the OS should be

very secure.

Simplicity to use is also important for a system as it helps to reduce clutter and the users can

fully utilize the PC to its potential.

UNIX and LINUX are the most commonly used operating systems used as they are the most

secure operating systems. One of the reasons is it not being widely used by the home pc user

therefore hackers and viruses are not usually targeted on UNIX or LINUX. Along with this

UNIX have various levels of securities which a person has to pass in order to open a file, each

user has to have a separate account and this makes it even more secure.


25/42

25 | P a g e

Also, unlike windows which requires you to purchase a separate copy for each PC you install it

on Linux allows you to install it on as many PCs as you want after purchasing a single copy, this

save a lot of money for the company.

Therefore, the multilevel security and even if the system is compromised no damage to root files,

the low cost, the ease of use and ability to run servers better all makes them the choice for

businesses.


26/42

26 | P a g e

Chapter 4

Research Papers

& Articles


27/42

27 | P a g e

Operating System Paper

Introduction

Operating Systems have come a long way since the times of a separate windows system and Disk

Operating System (DOS). Now, both systems are combined which made DOS obsolete.

According to Capron (2001), An operating system is a set of programs that lies between

applications software and computer hardware; it is the fundamental software that controls access

to all other software and hardware resources (p. 65). Operating systems have three main

functions: to manage computer resources, to establish user interface and to execute and provide

services for application software. The computer would just be useless machine with no direction

or purpose without an operating system. According Nickerson (2001), The most important

system software is the operating system because without it computers would be extremelydifficult to use (p. 31).

Operating System Compatibility in theWorkplace

Watts-Smith and Cheng (2004) define compatibility as, The ability of all hardware and all

software in one unit, such as a computer, to work together without difficulty (no pg.). As with a

perfect world, there is no such thing as a perfect computer or software. There will always be

compatibility issues with their set of patches and service packs to assist in the smooth operation

of a computer information system. In the case of operating systems, upgrades always bring their

host of compatibility problems or issues.While most compatibility issues go relatively unnoticed

to the average computer user, the ones that are noticeable are extreme in nature. Too many times,

previous programs which worked smoothly with the previous operating systems develop

problems in speed, memory or even overall usability when upgraded to a newer version. For

example, there was a large compatibility issue at work with Microsoft Office Access when the

systems at work were upgraded fromWindows NT to Windows 2000. An Access database that

was critical to our work, which worked perfectly withWindows NT was no longer operable with

Windows 2000. Therefore, a single computer had to be reconverted back to Windows NT in

order to continue to work with this Access database. If this was not allowed, a vast wealth of

information would have been lost forever. Now that the Government has approved the use of

Windows XP, these compatibility issues are becoming less and less.


28/42

28 | P a g e

Operating system of Choice

I preferWindows XP Professional. There seems to be less compatibility issues with Windows

XP than withWindows 2000 orWindows NT. In fact, the big problem which I described in one

of my discussion questions was when my workplace tried to apply a service pack without testing

it, happened withWindows 2000. In my opinion,Windows 2000 was a big mistake for

Microsoft, which led to the immediate development and implementation ofWindows XP

Professional and Home editions. This nightmare cost our Government a lot of time and money.

Basically, everyones system was completely down for weeks. It took many service packs,

patches and correspondence with Microsoft to get the systems up and running again. Lots of

valuable information was lost. On the other hand,Windows XP comes with a Program

CompatibilityWizard. According to Microsoft (2001, Oct 25), You can use the Program

CompatibilityWizard to test your program in different modes (environments) and with various

settings. For example, if the program was originally designed to run onWindows 95, set the

compatibility mode toWindows 95 and try running your program again. If successful, the

program will start in that mode each time (no pg).

Common Application Software

At work I predominantly use Microsoft Office application software. Microsoft application

software includesWord, PowerPoint, Excel and Access. Each type of application software has a

particular purpose. Microsoft Word is a word processing program which allows you to produce

professional documents. The program is very user friendly with a host of wizards, templates and

tutorials to even allow the beginning user the ability to create professionally looking documents.

The program even comes with a spell check, thesaurus and grammar check. PowerPoint is a

graphic program that allows you to create professional looking presentations. You can choose

from a wide host of templates and slide designs in order to create a presentation masterpiece.

PowerPoint also allows the more advanced user to add sounds and animations quickly and easily.Microsoft Excel is a program designed to allow users to create complex and professional looking

spreadsheets. Like Microsoft Offices other application software, this application comes with a

wide variety of wizards, templates and tutorials in which to choose. Excel has pivot tables which

allow the user to manipulate data within their spreadsheets. Excel can also be used for very

simplistic database analysis. Microsoft Access is a relational database tool. This program allows


29/42

29 | P a g e

you to create meaningful, purposeful and complex databases, which allows for the better analysis

of data. Another unique feature with Microsoft Office applications is that you can link

applications. This is great feature and stops the need to reinvent the wheel every time you update

data. For example, you can link a PowerPoint graph in a presentation with an Excel spreadsheet.

If you update the spreadsheet, it automatically updates the graph in your presentation. As

Nickerson (2001) states when differentiating between system and application software, System

software helps the computer function, whereas application software helps the business or

organization function (p.27). Bottom line, the U.S. Government would be lost without

Microsoft Office application software.

Custom Application

At my work place there are various custom applications. For the purpose of this paper, I will

limit it to one, the Advantor Access/Entry Control System. The Advantor Access/Entry Control

System is a complex data base which controls the access of various personnel into critical

facilities and restricted areas. Advantor System (2003) claims:

The Advantage|Plus integrated security system is designed around a modular approach that can

expand as your security needs grow. This flexible and expandable system ensures that you will

always have the right security system for your needs. Remotely programmed and controlled

through Advantor's Advantage Suite for Networks, this integrated intrusion detection and

physical access control solution provides for total peace of mind. (no pg.)

The system basically utilizes a database which allows certain individuals access into certain

facilities and areas, while restricting access to facilities and areas they are either not cleared for

or do not have a required need for. The system uses a proxy card with an associated pin number

in order to gain access or entry into a particular area or facility. The system also records andmonitors individual entries and exits into a particular area or facility. The system quickly detects

internal system problems which allows for quick maintenance and troubleshooting. The system

requires its own CPU, hardware, software, peripherals and remote connections. In other words,

the system is entirely dedicated to access control. If you would like to learn more about Advantor


30/42

30 | P a g e

and their products and services they provide, you can check out their website at

www.avantor.com.

Conclusion

This paper has given an overview of some of the compatibility issues with operating systems.

This is defined as the ability of software and hardware to work together without difficulties.

Regardless of the hardware or software, there will always be issues of compatibility. Microsoft

operating systems provide patches and system packs free of charge for those who purchase their

operating systems or buy a new computer system with a Microsoft operating system. The system

of choice isWindows XP Professional, which offers a Program CompatibilityWizard which

allows its users to incorporate previous applications with XP if at all possible. No otherWindows

based operating system offers this feature. Microsoft Office application software is the all

purpose software which will cover your every word processing, presentation, spreadsheet and

database needs. The software is easy to use and offers a multitude of templates, wizards and

tutorials. Advantor Access/Entry Control System is one type of custom software used by the U.S.

Government. The system controls the access of certain individuals into critical facilities and

restricted areas. The system is basically a database system dedicated to the protection National

Security assets.

References

Advantor Systems Incorporated (2003). Securing america's critical resources. Retrieved Nov 14,

2004, from http://www.advantor.com/plus.html.

Capron, H. L. (2000). Computers: Tools for an information age. 6th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ:

Prentice Hall.

Microsoft (2001, Oct 25). How to troubleshoot program compatibility issues in windows xp.

(2001). Retrieved Nov 14, 2004, from MicrosoftTechNetWeb site:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/support/troubleshoot.mspx.


31/42

31 | P a g e

Nickerson, R.C. (2001). Operating systems and programming. [UOP Custom Edition Series].

Information Technology. (pp. 27-60). Boston, MA: Pearson custom publishing.

Watts-Smith, A. & Cheng, N. (2004). Compatibility: As in component compatibility or software

compatibility. The Computer Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 14, 2004, from Cheap Computer

Information CenterWeb site: http://www.cheap-computers-and-cheap-

laptops.com/compatibility.html.


32/42

32 | P a g e

Microsoft And Windows Competitors

A lot of people today, mostly microsofties, argue that Microsoft should not be split up since it

isnt really a monopoly;Windows has a lot of competitors out there and some of the companies

that make them are even bigger than Microsoft. And that is actually quite true: Microsoft has

only about 6% of the global software market and only 3% of the global computer market overall.

There are several computer companies that make more than Microsoft, like Sun Microsystems

and Compaq and there are at least nine other operating systems besidesWindows, some of which

you could even get for free.

After three decades of use, the UNIX computer operating system from Bell Labs is still regarded

as one of the most powerful, versatile, and flexible operating systems (OS) in the computer

world. Its popularity is due to many factors, including its ability to run a wide variety of

machines, from micros to supercomputers, and its portability -- all of which led to its adoption by

many manufacturers.

The UNIX operating system was designed to let a number of programmers access the computer

at the same time and share its resources.While initially meant for medium-sized computers, the

system was soon moved to larger, more powerful mainframe computers. As personal computers

grew in popularity, versions of UNIX found their way into these boxes, and a number of

companies produce UNIX-based machines for the scientific and programming communities.

A major contribution of the UNIX system was its portability, permitting it to move from one

brand of computer to another with a minimum of code changes. At a time when different

computer lines of the same vendor didn't talk to each other -- yet alone machines of multiple

vendors -- that meant a great savings in both hardware and software upgrades. It also meant that

the operating system could be upgraded without having all the customer's data inputted again.

And new versions of UNIX were backward compatible with older versions, making it easier for

companies to upgrade in an orderly manner.

UNIX comes with hundreds of programs that can be divided into two classes: integral utilities

that are absolutely necessary for the operation of the computer, such as the command interpreter,

and tools that aren't necessary for the operation of UNIX but provide the user with additional


33/42

33 | P a g e

capabilities, such as typesetting capabilities and e-mail; the tools can be added or removed from

a UNIX system, depending upon the applications required.

The UNIX system is functionally organized at three levels: the kernel, which schedules tasks and

manages storage; the shell, which connects and interprets users' commands, calls programs from

memory, and executes them; and the tools and applications that offer additional functionality to

the operating system.

The kernel, the heart of the operating system, controls the hardware and turns part of the system

on and off at the programmer's command. If you ask the computer to list (ls) all the files in a

directory, the kernel tells the computer to read all the files in that directory from the disk and

display them on your screen.

There are several types of shell, most notably the command driven Bourne Shell and the C Shell,

and menu-driven shells that make it easier for beginners to use.Whatever shell is used, its

purpose remains the same -- to act as an interpreter between the user and the computer. The shell

also provides the functionality of "pipes," whereby a number of commands can be linked

together by a user, permitting the output of one program to become the input to another program.

There are hundreds of tools available to UNIX users and they are typically grouped into

categories for certain functions, such as word processing, business applications, or programming.

LINUX, a 1991 version of UNIX, was developed by Linus Torvalds, a student at the time, and

by hundreds of volunteer programmers around the world. This system can be downloaded at

absolutely no charge from the Internet. Caldera is the commercial version of Linux; although you

have to pay for it, the advantage is that it is almost self-installing, likeWindows is (some say its

even easier thanWindows).

Sun Microsystems has also developed a platform of its own, whose latest edition, Solaris 8 or the

".com Operating Environment", is said to raise the bar for the industry, re-defining the operating

system and revolutionizing the operating system business. Suns claim that it built the

backbone of the Internet is not that far from the truth, said a PC World article in May, 1999.

The new features in Solaris 8 software are said to drive the five critical requirements for Internet-


34/42

34 | P a g e

based systems - scalability, availability, manageability, security and connectivity - to new

heights.

BeOS is the operating system from Be, Inc. Based on an entirely new idea in computing, BeOS

was designed to satisfy the higher processing and memory requirements of today's digital media

on standard PC hardware, without slowing down or freezing up. say the developers. It works

with audio, video, image, and Internet-based applications, and edits files of millions of gigabytes

in size, simultaneously, in real-time and boots up in less than 20 seconds. A very innovative

feature that BeOS brings is the fact that each application runs in its own protected memory

space, so if one crashes, the system and other applications don't even notice; all you need to do is

reload the crashed application. That could also be time-saving when you need to make a

configuration change. Be Inc. also offers BeIA, a version of the BeOS intended specifically for

internet appliances. Unfortunately, this OS isnt all that popular.

Another operating system that a lot of people havent heard of is Amiga OS; Amiga is quite new

to the market, 3.5 being its newest version. Some of the features offered by this new operating

system are easy Internet access, a modern Graphical User Interface (GUI), extensive CD-ROM

support, support for current printers, PowerPC support, and HTML online documentation.

BSD/OS is a fast, scalable, multitasking, 32-bit server network platform with a small footprint,

virtual memory (optional) and memory protection, with support for 768 Mbytes of RAM and up

to 3.75 Gbytes of user virtual memory; it can perform on systems equipped with as little as 2

Mbytes of RAM. The new platform offers an Internet Server System using Intel, Sparc, and

Alpha processors, Internet Appliance Platforms, RAID solutions, Multi-bootWorkstations, and

LAN/WAN products. The BSD/OS kernel is derived from the UC Berkeleys 4.4BSD release

with a few other enhancements.

OS/2Warp is offered by IBM, which OS/2 fanatics claim is better thanWindows 95 in

everything, even ease of use. The truth is that OS/2 has more software thanWindows 95,

although it is harder to find in retail stores. This platform has other advantages too: it allows you

to run Java applications directly on the OS instead of a browser and it includes VoiceType


35/42

35 | P a g e

Dictation (basically software that allows to speak to your computer), and Internet applications

such as Telnet, FTP, and gopher.

And last, but not least, Apple Computers, one of Microsoft oldest competitors, has its own

operating system to offer: MacOS.When Apple began, it brought a revolutionary product into

the market, a product that was to change the way everyone worked. Computers were no longer

monolithic number crunchers that could only be used by mega-corporations; through Apple

computers, every business would be able to use them for a number of applications, including

word processing. It was this creative surge that got Apple rolling.With first year sales of $111

million, Apple became the record breaker in corporate history. But as soon as Apple decided that

it had the market under its thumb, and it no longer needed to be creative, IBM and the clone

industry very rapidly took over.

Mac OS X is the name of the next-generation operating system software from Apple. Apple built

this all new operating system (with a new user interface that is very easy to use) using open

standards, and with contributions from the open source software community. The Mac OS X is

made out of three basic parts: the core OS, graphics and Aqua.

Also called Darwin, the core OS, is the part that was built using open standards. At the core of

Darwin is a key component called the kernel, the component that mediates most of the

interaction between the operating system and the hardware; Mac OS X features the Mach 3.0

kernel, originally developed at Carnegie-Mellon University. Among others, the Darwin also

features a super-efficient virtual memory manager, a memory protection architecture that

allocates a unique address space for each application or process running on your Mac and

advanced device support.

Apple combines Quartz, QuickTime and OpenGL, three of the most powerful graphicstechnologies today, to enhance the graphics performance of the new internet -- built operating

system. The Quartz technology provides built-in support for PDF (potable document format),

which enables you to embed and manipulate PDF data with almost any Mac OS X application.


36/42

36 | P a g e

OpenGL, the 3D technology used by computer games today, is suppose to take the quality of

your photorealistic graphics and games to a whole new level.

Mac OS X also includes QuickTime, the unifying format and platform for multi-source, multi-

destination content creation and consumption in the digital age; the engine that powers iMovie

and Final Cut Pro, as the PC Magazine puts it. QuickTime is now the Internet standard for

multimedia and is at the core of Apples digital video editing software; it allows you to watch

live videos and create your own home videos.

Aqua is the name of the new interface of the Mac operating system; it was baptized with this

name because it uses such effects as depth, translucence and fluid motion. The reason for this

new design is not only the appearance, which, if you ask me, would be enough by itself; the

underlying reason is an ability to keep the user informed of the status of the activities on the

desktop with continuous visual feedback.

With all these great operating systems though, 90% of computer owners today are still using

Windows. A lot of people might argue that this is a big enough figure to make Microsoft a

monopoly. The argument against them is that these 90% are users who choseWindows because

they thought it to be better than all the other operating systems out there and not because they did

not have another choice. They do have a choice...


37/42

37 | P a g e

OS X Lion start your downloading or buy it on USB for twice as much

Apples OS X Lion is available today which is big news on its own, but the companys push for

digital delivery through the Mac App Store is a very interesting underlying story. Rather then

buying the OS update from retailers or from brick-and-mortar Apple stores, the 3.7GB file will

predominantly be sent out through Apples servers, just like any other Mac app.

Apple is incentivizing the move away from physical media by pricing the digital copy at just

$29.99 and making purchases quick and easy for Snow Leopard users, who are by now already

familiar with the App Store. Despite the massive amount of data Apple must be moving,

downloads are going smoothly and moving along at a pretty reasonable clip (from what weve

seen).

Of course a 4GB download isnt great news for everyoneusers who dont have broadband or on

metered accounts are out of luck for launch day purchases. Apple has noted that users that are

unable to download the software will be able to buy the upgrade on a USB drive for $69.99

later this August. That way they will have a physical copy and no downloading will be

necessary, but some extra cost will be involved.

The other option Apple floats is that buyers will be able to visit an Apple store and download it

there. This probably means just hopping on their network and downloading, or possibly using

one of their USB copies to install and then just getting your own serial.

So why charge $40 for a 4GB USB drive? Foremost, the price differential will discourage people

from buying the USB copy. Plus we can be sure that Apple wants to promote usage of the Mac

App store. Once you buy a $30 OS upgrade with that account youll a) know how to use the store

b) your account will be setup c) youll have an account youll want to retain with something

valuable in it. Apple gets the secondary benefits of having your information on file and not

having to split the profits with any sort of middleman.

The download took me a little under 2 hours (see below), which isnt long to wait for an OS

update. Its definitely a good way to go if bandwidth isnt an issue, but it wont be possible for

everyone. If youre not a broadband user then consider a trip to your local Apple store or you can

always find a place with fastWiFi where you can camp out for a bit and download it. The USB


38/42

38 | P a g e

copy of Lion will be a last resort, but for some people it will be usefuleven in the age of digital

delivery some people still need old fashioned delivery methods to get the job done.

Microsoft, Behind in Mobile, Tries to Woo App Developers With Windows 8

Microsoft has a knack for comebacks. History suggests that the company is rarely first with a

technology, but it is persistent and it often prevails.

Steven Sinofsky, president of Microsoft'sWindows division, saidWindows 8 would offer

developers a unique opportunity.

This week, the company is trying to begin another come-from-behind campaign this time, in

touch-screen tablet computing, with its Windows 8 operating system. Products using the new

software are not expected until next year. But the crucial effort to woo software developers to

write apps forWindows 8 starts Tuesday at a four-day conference in Anaheim, Calif.

Microsoft will give away an early preview version ofWindows 8 and thousands of tablets,

made by Samsung, to developers at the conference, according to two industry consultants who

have been told about the plans but would talk about them only if they were not named.

Tablets, as well as smartphones, look to be the computing devices of the future. Sales forecasts

of personal computers have been scaled back in recent months, as consumers and business

people have increasingly chosen tablets.

Windows 8 is Microsofts effort to get back in the game, said Michael Silver, an analyst at

Gartner, a research firm.

Windows 8 is intended to run on both ARM chips, which now power most tablets and

smartphones, and Intel microprocessors.

The goal, Microsoft executives say, is to reduce the skills that developers will need to write

applications forWindows 8, which will run smoothly on both tablets and PCs. Windows 8 will

provide a unique industry opportunity across hardware architectures for developers, said Steven

Sinofsky, president of MicrosoftsWindows division.


39/42

39 | P a g e

Web developers have been impressed with Microsofts new approach. Microsoft is opening

things up forWeb developers, said Emily P. Lewis, a 37-year-oldWeb applications designer in

Albuquerque. They had no choice. What I do isnt aWindows thing or an Apple thing.

That approach is in contrast to Apple, which often forces developers to rewrite their applications

for its new products, like the iPad, favoring innovation over stability.

Yahoo-Microsoft Deal

In the spring of 2008, Microsoft made a $47.5 billion hostile offer to buy Yahoo after on-and-off

talks about a merger had led nowhere. After a bruising, four-month battle, Microsoft abandoned

the offer. Anger among Yahoo shareholders led to a management change and the replacement of

its co-founder Jerry Yang by Carol Bartz, an outsider who is now Yahoo's chief executive. On

July 29, 2009, the two companies announced a more limited deal, a partnership in Internet search

and advertising intended to create a stronger rival to the industry powerhouse Google.

The new Microsoft-Yahoo pact is a measured step that represents a pragmatic division of duties

between the two companies. Under the pact, Microsoft will provide the underlying search

technology on Yahoo's popularWeb sites. The deal provides a lift for Microsoft's recent

overhaul of its search engine, renamed Bing, which has won praise and favorable reviews, after

years of falling farther and farther behind Google. For Yahoo, the move furthers the strategy

under Ms. Bartz to focus the company on its strengths as a producer ofWeb media sites, from

finance to sports, as a marketer and a leader in on-line display advertising that accompanies

publishedWeb sites.

While Microsoft receives access to Yahoo's search technology, Yahoo receives a big bump in

annual revenues, 88% of the search-generated ad revenues from its own sites for the first 5 years

of the 10-year deal, much higher than is standard in the industry.

After the takeover bid failed, the companies renewed talks about a partnership in the summer of

2008. The talks included a discussion of a large up-front payment from Microsoft. But when Ms.

Bartz became Yahoo's CEO at the beginning of 2009, the company's emphasis shifted. She was

more interested in steady revenue to ensure the longer-term financial health of Yahoo instead of


40/42

40 | P a g e

a big one-time payment. Yahoo estimates that after the partnership is fully in place, the

company's operating income will increase by $500 million a year, based on higher search traffic

and ad revenue, and a substantial drop in its investment in search technology.

Steven A. Ballmer, Microsoft's chief executive, said that Ms. Bartz had driven a hard bargain.

"Look," he said, "she got 88 percent of the revenue and none of the cost."

Mr. Ballmer also said that he got something he badly wanted as well: "I got an opportunity to

swing for the fences in search."

When it made its initial takeover offer in February 2008, Microsoft said it wanted to buy Yahoo

to compete more effectively with Google in online search and advertising, two related markets

where Google is the runaway leader. Both Microsoft and Yahoo have spent billions trying to best

Google in search and advertising, and both have failed so far.

Apple holding more cash than USA

Apple now has more cash to spend than the United States government.

Latest figures from the US Treasury Department show that the country has an operating cash

balance of $73.7bn (45.3bn).

Apple's most recent financial results put its reserves at $76.4bn.

The US House of Representatives is due to vote on a bill to raise the country's debt ceiling,

allowing it to borrow more money to cover spending commitments.

If it fails to extend the current limit of $14.3 trillion dollars, the federal government could find

itself struggling to make payments, and risks the loss of its AAA credit rating.

The United States is currently spending around $200bn more than it collects in revenue every

month.

Apple, on the other hand, is making money hand over fist, according to its financial results.

In the three months ending 25 June, net income was 125% higher than a year earlier at $7.31bn.


41/42

41 | P a g e

iPhone Patent Wars: Could it all End in a Truce?

Smartphone and tablet developers like Apple, Samsung Electronics, Google and HTC are in

court daily suing each other over patents and intellectual property violations.

That's one reason why 36 percent of all U.S. patent lawsuits filed in the U.S. this year by the

Fortune 100 have been in the tech sector, along with an additional 11 percent for

telecommunications, according to Ocean Tomo, the Chicago-based intellectual property

investment bank.

That's what happened in the PC wars of the late 1980s and the 1990s, as the x86 microprocessor

that fueled the explosion of PCs was fought over by co-developer Intel and Advanced Micro

Devices. The two California semiconductor giants fought for years in every conceivable court

and spent tens of millions on litigation.

Finally, they settled, on Nov. 12, 1999, Intel and AMD cross-licensed each other and dropped the

case. The deal has held ever since, although Intel expressed concern when AMD, of Sunnyvale,

Calif., sold its manufacturing lines and other assets to GlobalFoundries, a holding company

controlled by Abu Dhabi interests.

But there may no truce this time, lawyers and bankers say, because the sector is so dynamic. As

well, governments outside the U.S. are vigorously defending their intellectual property,

especially in emerging markets.

While the U.S. International Trade Commission plans to evaluate claims by Apple that Samsung

violated its patents, it's not likely to bar Samsung from U.S. markets. On the other hand, the

European Union appears to have taken a tougher line.

This week, a German court issued a preliminary injunction barring Samsung from shipping its

Galaxy tablets in most of Europe, accepting a complaint by Apple that it had "slavishly" copied

its IP. Samsung on Friday announced it would appeal, at a hearing scheduled for Aug. 25.

In the U.S., Congress has been working on patent reform but generally maintains "a laissez-faire

attitude," said Ocean Tomo's Malackowski. That could mean tougher sailing down the line.


42/42

References

http://www.123helpme.com/operating-system-paper-view.asp?id=159259

http://www.123helpme.com/view.asp?id=77205

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operating_system

http://what-is-what.com/what_is/kernel.html

http://images.google.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Computer,_Inc._v._Microsoft_Corporation

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/bott/microsoft-vs-apple-whos-winning-the-numbers-dont-lie/2504

http://www.geek.com/articles/apple/os-x-lion-start-your-downloading-or-buy-it-on-usb-for-

twice-as-much-20110720/

http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/yahoo_inc/yahoo-microsoft-

deal/index.html?scp=2&sq=Microsoft&st=cse

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/13/technology/microsoft-tries-to-woo-mobile-developers-

with-windows-8.html?_r=1&scp=6&sq=operating%20system&st=cse

http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/197141/20110812/patent-tablet-iphone-ipad-sue-lawsuit-apple-

google-samsung-ip.htm

ITFM Project

Documents

Transcript of ITFM Project