1. Chapter 5
System Software

2. Competencies (Page 1 of 2)
Describe the differences between system software and application software
Discuss the four types of system software
Discuss the basic functions, features, and categories of operating systems
Describe the Windows,
Mac OS, UNIX, & Linux operating systems
Copyright © 2010 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

3. Competencies (Page 2 of 2)
Describe the purpose of utilities and utility suites
Identify the five most essential utilities
Discuss Windows utility programs
Describe device drivers, including printer drivers
Copyright © 2010 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

4. Introduction
Computers and computer applications are ubiquitous in our lives so much so that we expect them to “be there when we need them”. We often give little thought to the processes and programs running behind the scenes to keep our computers functioning effectively. These kinds of programs and processes (i.e. operating systems, utility programs, device drivers, etc…) fall under the topic of system software and are covered in this chapter.
Copyright © 2010 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

5. System Software
System software is not a single program but is a collection of programs that handles technical details
Works with end users, application software, and computer hardware
Four types of programs
Operating system
Utilities
Device drivers
Language translators
End-users focus on application programs more than the system software, but it is important to understand how system software works
Copyright © 2010 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

6. Operating Systems
Manage computer resources (memory, processing, storage…etc).
Provide an interface between the users and computer (character vs. graphical user interface)
Loads and runs applications (support multitasking).
Resources
Coordinate input and outputs such as keyboard, microphones, printers, mouse, storage devices, and memory
User interface (Key Term)
Primarily graphical user interface (GUI)
Use of icons (Key Term)
Applications
Word processing
Spreadsheets
Databases
Supporting multitasking (Key Term)
Windows most popular operating systems
Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows ME, Windows XP (Key Term), Windows Vista (Key Term)
MAC OS – designed to run Apple computers
Unix – used by powerful microcomputers, servers on the Web, and minicomputers in network environment
Linux – nonproprietary operating systems that run cross platform (Key Term)
New photo.
Copyright © 2010 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

7. Functions of an Operating System
Performs three types of functions
Manages computer resources
Coordinate memory, processing storage, and printers
Monitor system performance
Provide security
Start-up the computer
Provides user interface
Character-based interface
Graphical user interface (GUI)
Runs applications
Multitasking
Copyright © 2010 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

8. Features of an Operating System
Booting (the process of starting a computer)
Warm boot – computer is already on and you restart it without turning off the power
Cold boot – starting a computer that has been turned off
Features in common with application software
Icons
Pointers
Windows
Menus
Dialog boxes
Help
Booting is
Files (Key Term) – used to store data and programs
Folders (Key Term) – stores and organizes related files. May also house other folders
Copyright © 2010 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

9. Categories of Operating Systems
Hundreds of operating systems (sometimes called software environment)
Three basic categories
Embedded operating systems – hand-held
Used for handheld devices, video games consoles (Windows CE, Windows XP embedded).
Network operating systems – linked computers
Network server: coordinates all communication between the other computers (Windows server, UNIX)
Stand-alone operating systems – desktop
may also be referred to as a client operating system
Copyright © 2010 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

10. More on Operating Systems
OS often called software environment or platform
Operating systems commonly used by individuals
Windows – most widely used
Mac OS – powerful and easy to use
UNIX – network; originally designed for Web
LINUX – non proprietary; free from the Web
Note that LINUX is easier to learn; easily transfer to UNIX
UNIX originally designed as cross-platform to help “integrate” the Web
Copyright © 2010 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

11. Windows
The most popular microcomputer operating system – over 90 percent of the market
Comes in a variety of different versions
Windows Vista provides
several improvements
over Windows XP.
Windows has over 90 percent of the market
More application programs are designed to run under Windows than any other operating system
Windows Vista is designed to be an improvement over Windows XP in the following ways:
Advanced security system to guard against malicious files and programs, including spyware
Three-dimensional workspace capable of displaying transparent cascading windows (Key Term)
Filtering capabilities to provide convenient parental controls by blocking access to objectionable Web sites
Return
Copyright © 2010 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

12. Mac OS An operating system designed to run on Apple computers
Not used as widely as Windows
One of the most innovative operating systems
Mac OS X is one of the latest versions (10.4 Tiger) Spotlight (Search) - Dashboard
Mac OS, Leopard allows the running of both
the Mac OS and Windows (Boot Camp)
First introduced in 1984
Provided one of the first GUIs
Powerful and easy-to-use operating system
Mac OS X, version 10.4 – also known as Tiger (Key Term), provides photo-quality icons and easy-to-use menus
Spotlight (Key Term) – advanced search tool
Dashboard widgets (Key Term) – collection of specialized programs that update and display information
One version of Mac OS (called Leopard) will include Boot Camp (Key Term) which allows Apple computers to run both Mac OS and Windows operating systems
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Copyright © 2010 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

13. UNIX and LINUX UNIX operating system LINUX is a version of UNIX
Originally designed to run on minicomputers on a network
Used by powerful microcomputers
LINUX is a version of UNIX
Not proprietary
Open source
UNIX
Used by powerful microcomputers and by servers on the Web
There are a large number of different versions of UNIX
LINUX
One of the most popular and powerful alternatives to the Windows operating system
Copyright © 2010 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

14. Virtualization
Virtualization is a process that allows a single physical computer to support multiple operating systems that operate independently.
Virtualization software creates virtual machines.
Host operating system runs on the physical machine.
Guest operating system operate on virtual machines.
Copyright © 2010 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

15. Virtualization demo
Copyright © 2010 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

16. What are the benefits of virtualization?
Reduce the amount of space required for the different machines.
Flexibility in running applications.
Testing projects can be easier and faster.
Others??
Copyright © 2010 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

17. Utilities Specialized programs to make computing easier
Most essential utilities
Troubleshooting or diagnostic programs
Antivirus programs
Uninstall programs
Backup programs
File compression programs
Utilities – specialized programs designed to make computing easier
Hard disk crashes
Antivirus programs
Computer freeze-ups
Decrease operation slow-downs
Copyright © 2010 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

18. Windows Utilities Backup Disk Cleanup Disk Defragmenter
Accessing Windows Vista utilities:
Click Start, Select All Programs, Select Accessories, Choose System Tools
These utilities can be accessed from the System Tools menu
Copyright © 2010 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

19. Backup Utility program included with many Windows versions
Makes a copy of all files or
selected files that have been
saved on a disk
Helps prevent against
disk failure
If you backup (Key Term) your files, you have a copy of your data in case of a disk failure
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Copyright © 2010 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

20. Disk Cleanup Identifies and eliminates nonessential files
Frees up valuable space
and improves system
performance
When you search the Web, a variety of programs and files are saved to your hard drive
Use disk cleanup (Key Term) to get rid of these unnecessary files
Files are stored and organized on a disk according to tracks and sectors
Tracks (Key Term) – concentric ring
Sectors (Key Term) – wedge-shaped sections of a track
OS tries to save a file on a single track across contiguous sectors. Often the file has to broken into small parts and stored wherever space is available and the disk over time becomes fragmented
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21. Disk Defragmenter Identifies and eliminates unnecessary fragments
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Disk Defragmenter
Identifies and eliminates unnecessary fragments
Rearranges files and
unused disk space to
optimize operations
Speeds up file access
Disk Defragmenter (Key Term) should be run on your computer often
Some end-users run this utility program daily, while some run it once a week
Fragmented (Key Term) files - result of a file having to be broken apart into smaller parts so it can be stored wherever space is available
Copyright © 2010 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

22. Utility Suites A group of several utility programs bundled for sale
Buying the package is economical
Popular suites
Norton System Works
McAfee Office
V Communications SystemSuite
Norton SystemWorks
AntiVirus
CleanSweep
Web Cleanup
GoBack Personal Edition
Norton Utilities
One button checkup (Key Term) - integrates several of the separate troubleshooting utilities
McAfee
Similar programs
Copyright © 2010 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

23. Device Drivers
Specialized programs that allow communication between a device and the computer
Loaded into memory each time a computer is started
When a new device is added, new device drivers must be installed
Device drivers - programs that work with the operating system to allow communication between device(s) and the rest of the physical system
Device drivers are also referred to simply as “drivers” (Key Term)
Step-by-step guidance is offered by Windows in the form of wizards that assist with installing drivers e.g. “Add Printer Wizard” (Key Term)
Drivers can also be easily updated in Windows by utilizing the Windows Update (Key Term) functionality
Copyright © 2010 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

24. Virus Protection and Internet Security
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Virus Protection and Internet Security
Internet Security Suite
Runs a number of programs
Continually monitors your computer
VirusScan
Controls the frequency of searches for viruses
Quarantines or deletes infected files
PrivacyService
Helps protect your privacy online
Block websites, cookies, and ads
Copyright © 2010 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

25. 5-25
Careers In IT
Computer support specialist provide technical support to customers and other users
Resolve common networking problems and use troubleshooting programs to diagnose problems
Employers look for a bachelors degree, good analytical and communication skills
Computer support specialist
can expect to earn $31K - $53K annually
Copyright © 2010 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

26. A Look to the Future IBM's Aware Supercomputer
IBM’s Automatic Computing Initiative (ACI)
Handles time-consuming maintenance
Self-regulating and virtually invisible
Self-maintaining servers
Self-repairing
Self-updating
Self-protecting
Computers may be able to fix themselves in the future
Autonomic computing is a system that allows machines to run with little human intervention
Copyright © 2010 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.