PC Operating Systems

1. Operating System definition

1.1. The purpose of an operating system is to organize and control hardware and software so that the device it lives in behaves in a flexible but predictable way.

2. Ubuntu

2.1. Pros: Free software and no restrictions Excellent community/Customer support Works on low end machines Updated recently

2.2. Cons: Non-techie users may find it hard to use Installing programs might be difficult Lack of high quality professional software Certain packages make OS unstable

3. Windows 7

3.1. Pros: Is the most popular Operating System User friendly Uses less memory Has a very wide range of programs Consumes less disk space

3.2. Cons: XP to Windows 7 is complicated Licencing is very confusing; businesses Targeted for spyware and viruses Does not come with useful programs

4. Chromium

4.1. Chromium is a new project by Google to create an Operating System. They want it to be fast, simple and secure. It is mainly targeted for consumers who spend most of their time on the internet.

5. Mac OS X

5.1. Pros: Great user interface Very stable Operating System Targeted less by spyware and viruses Wide variety of applications for professionals and designers

5.2. Cons: Limited to a specific platform Cost of owning a Mac is very high Most software have to buy directly from Apple

6. Links: http://computer.howstuffworks.com/operating-system.htm http://blog.hafees.com/windows/windows-linux-and-mac-a-comparison/ http://blogs.zdnet.com/hardware/?p=5947&tag=rbxccnbzd1 http://blogs.zdnet.com/hardware/?p=6034&tag=col2;topRated http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Chrome_OS http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=1472