By Deidre Bastian
How much do we really know about Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7? My guess is the negative. But when you turn on your computer, it is nice to think that you are in control.
Although it is easy to feel like a director in front of your desktop or laptop, there’s really a lot going on inside. The real man behind the curtain, handling the necessary tasks, if you haven’t already discovered is the ‘Operating System’, alias OS.
In 1983, Windows was unveiled by Microsoft’s founders, Bill Gates and Paul Allen, and it has triumphed since. Until Windows, the MS-DOS operating system, which relied on commands entered on the keyboard to run the system, was the only way to use Microsoft’s computers.
If you like to tinker with electronic devices, you have probably discovered that operating systems can now be found on many of the devices we use every day - from cell phones to wireless access points. The computers used in these little devices have gotten so powerful that they can now actually run an operating system and applications
Frankly, all desktop computers come preloaded with operating systems. For instance, Macintosh computers are pre-loaded with Mac OS X, while many corporate servers use the Linux or UNIX operating systems.
The most common are the Windows family of operating systems developed by Microsoft; the Macintosh operating systems developed by Apple; and the UNIX family of operating systems (which have been developed by a whole history of individuals, corporations and collaborators).
While Windows is a versatile and powerful operating system, there are times that it can become frustrating.This frustration is particularly evident when you install a new software application or add drivers for some new hardware. But enough of the techie stuf; let’s find out exactly what Windows is and its primary purpose.
The key purpose of an operating system is really to organise and control hardware and software, so that the device it lives in behaves in a flexible but predictable way. In my simple but humble view, an operating system is no more than a means to an end - tools to manipulate some bits into hopefully doing what you want.
At the simplest level, an operating system’s task is to provide a stable, consistent way for applications to deal with the hardware without having to know all the details. This is very important, as various programs and input methods compete for the attention of the central processing unit (CPU) and demand memory, storage and input/output (I/O) bandwidth for their own purposes.
In this capacity, the operating system plays the role of the good parent, making sure that each application gets the necessary resources while playing nicely with all the other applications, as well as husbanding the limited capacity of the system to the greatest good of all the users and applications. (Hope this explains it)
Even if a particular computer is unique, an operating system can ensure applications continue to run when hardware upgrades and updates occur. This is because the operating system, not the application, is the perpetrator who is charged with managing the hardware and the distribution of its resources.
Finally, despite the millions of tales and magic regarding this structure, Windows is an operating system that is simply a bridge between computer hardware and software. In fact, it is the first thing loaded on to the computer, because without the operating system a computer is useless and purposeless. More like a penny with a hole in it. Until we meet again, fill your life with memories rather than regrets. Enjoy life and stay on top of your game!
• NB: Columnist welcomes feedback at deedee21bastian@gmail.com
ABOUT COLUMNIST: Ms Bastian is a professionally-trained graphic designer who has qualifications of M.Sc., B.Sc., A.Sc. She has trained at institutions such as: Miami Lakes Technical Centre, Success Training College, College of the Bahamas, Nova Southeastern University, Learning Tree International, Langevine International and Synergy Bahamas.
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