1. Learning About Operating Systems

2. What are the different types of operating system?
Single-tasking
An operating system that only allows one process (task) to be running at a time
Some examples are DOS and Windows 3.x
Multitasking
The ability of a computer operating system to effectively support more than one process running at a time
Examples are Windows and Mac OS
Most operating systems today are multitasking

3. What are the different types of operating system? (continued)
Network operating system
An operating system designed to provide strong network services
The capabilities to configure and manage networks of computers
Some examples are NetWare, UNIX, Windows 2000 Server, and Windows Server 2003
Multiprocessing
The coordinated processing of a process by more than one processor at the same time
UNIX is also a good example of multiprocessing

4. Related terms
User Interface- a program that controls a display for the user (usually on a computer monitor) and that allows the user to interact with the system.
Deadlock- when each program is waiting for a resource to become available that will never become free.
Command Language- a source language consisting of procedural operators that invoke functions to be executed
Compute bound- refers to a condition where the time to complete a computation is determined principally by the speed of the central processor and main memory
Parallel Processing- The simultaneous processing of different tasks by two or more microprocessors, as by a single computer with more than one central processing unit or by multiple computers connected together in a network.

5. Sources so far: Invitation to Computer Science Third Edition
By: G. Michael Schneider and Judith L. Gersking
Connecting with Computer Science
By: Greg Anderson, David Ferro, and Robert Hilton
Dictionary.com