What are the names of operating systems? Which operating system to choose for your computer - comparison and selection of the best

The list of them has increased greatly even over the last 5 years, especially due to the increase in the number of mobile devices. What are their features, how do they differ, what are their advantages and disadvantages?

System classification

They differ from each other in various parameters, in particular, in the distribution of functions between computers. There are classes of operating systems and the networks themselves:

  • peer-to-peer;
  • two-tier (have dedicated servers).

There are computers that provide their resources to others. In this case, they act as a network server. The other one is their client. Computers can perform one or two functions, or combine them together. must at the same time meet the needs of the buyer.

List of the most popular systems

What are the most popular operating systems among users? The list looks like this:

  • Windows.
  • MacOS.
  • Android.
  • Ubuntu.
  • Linux and others.

There are also less popular ones. For example, Fedora or Back Track. But they are common in a rather narrow circle of specialists.

How to choose?

There are different criteria for users. This is primarily the ease of use and capabilities of operating systems. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. For one, functionality is important, for the second - the interface, for the third - a guarantee of the safety of personal data. Operating systems for PCs, the list of which is longer than those developed for mobile devices, differ from the latter in their requirements for the machine.

They offer their users different levels of comfort and innovative solutions; the choice is largely determined by the person’s profession.

Windows Features

In recent years, new operating systems have appeared. The list of the most popular ones was supplemented by Android and IOS. However, it is Windows OS, as before, that remains the most popular in the world.

It is not only the most popular operating system, but also the most comfortable to use, perfect for beginners. Schoolchildren, office workers and people of different ages - almost all of them use Windows operating systems. Linux is traditionally used by specialized specialists.

pros

The key advantages of the popularly beloved Windows are the following factors:

  • user-friendly interface;
  • a large number of high-quality software that can be installed free of charge;
  • ease of installation and configuration;
  • ease of server administration.

Cons of Windows

Most versions of Windows are paid operating systems. The list can be found in open sources. The high cost of software is a key disadvantage of Windows.

Another disadvantage is the instability and vulnerability of the entire OS family to various types of malware.

Latest version

How much does Windows 10 cost? It all depends on what version will be - home or professional. In the first case, the cost will be about 6 thousand rubles, and in the second - about 10 thousand.

The latest modification, like the previous one, can have a classic interface or one like the G8, where you can switch icons on the desktop.

Answering the logical answer to the question of how much Windows 10 costs is that the cost is considerable, we must warn you: do not rush to worry. After all, the license that is granted to the user does not have an expiration date. But software such as online games, antiviruses or Office requires regular updates for a fee.

Traditionally, if you have a previous licensed version of Windows installed on your computer, you can update it to the latest version for free.

Previous Windows OS

Despite the release of new software, there are those who are comfortable using the previous ones. Different versions of operating systems have their own advantages. Now, along with the “ten”, many continue to use the “eight” and “seven”.

Windows 7 came out back in 2009. It included both developments from the previous Vista and completely new solutions that related to the interface and built-in programs. Some software was excluded - games, applications, a number of technologies, and more.

"Seven" has several editions:

  • initial;
  • home basic;
  • home extended;
  • corporate;
  • professional;
  • maximum.

The next version of the operating system, Windows 8, was released in 2012. Its main innovation was a modified interface, which was more adapted to work on mobile devices. Today this product of the company is the best selling.

Outdated versions

There are also once popular, but now almost forgotten operating systems. The list can start with Windows 95; it was with this version that many people started working with a PC at one time. After it, the no less popular Windows 98 appeared. The next system, Windows 2000, was released at the turn of the millennium and was intended for use on devices with 32-bit processors.

However, Windows XP, which appeared in 2001, gained real popularity. It only recently lost its championship to the seventh and eighth versions. For more than 10 years, users preferred to install XP on their computers and laptops.

The next user version was Vista, but its functionality and features, according to experts, were extremely weak, which is why it did not gain popularity.

Other computer operating systems

However, not everyone uses Windows. There are other operating systems for PCs. The list includes, in particular, MacOS, Linux Ubuntu and its other modifications. They are mainly used by highly specialized specialists.

Ubuntu was created on. Its interface resembles a Mac in many ways, but the overall style is similar to Windows. Users appreciated the ease of use, stability and the fact that the OS can be obtained for free. They also like the speed of the machine. But Ubuntu also has disadvantages - a small amount of software, games, and a complex administration scheme.

MacOS is an operating system developed by Apple for its computers. It is called a premium user product - it has a beautiful design, user-friendly interface and excellent multimedia capabilities. But not everyone can afford this solution, because both the computers themselves and the Apple-branded OS, compared to others, are incredibly expensive.

Also for PC, some people use Linux. This system is free, stable, and equipped with a large amount of built-in software. However, despite all these advantages, it requires high user skills. Therefore, Linux is most often installed by programmers, networkers and other specialists.

Work on mobile devices

As you know, more and more users prefer to use the Internet not from laptops and PCs, but from mobile devices - smartphones and tablets. There are operating systems that are designed specifically for them. The most common are Android and IOS. But Symbian has already lost its former popularity, since its capabilities can no longer meet the needs of users.

In quantitative terms, Android is in first place by a large margin. After all, if IOS is an OS created specifically for Apple devices, then the second one can work on smartphones and tablets of other brands, for example:

  • Samsung.
  • Sony.
  • Lenovo and others.

Android has a convenient interface for its users, allowing them to use high-quality software in large quantities for free. It is suitable not only for smartphones and tablets, but also for modern smart TVs. Devices based on this OS can be independently reflashed and changes made to their operation.


But iOS, which is a product of Apple, is considered more stable and works much faster, providing buyers with good multimedia capabilities. But compared to Android, it is more expensive, since there is very little free software in it. And the one that is provided for money is very expensive.

About 10 years ago or earlier, those who used the Internet on mobile phones actively used the Symbian system, which was a joint development of the leading manufacturers at that time (Nokia, Motorola and others). It still works, but, compared to iOS and Android, it is not able to cope with the tasks that current owners of mobile devices set themselves.

Other operating systems

In addition to the common operating systems for computers and mobile devices, there are also lesser known ones, many of them are created like Linux and require a high level of user skills. One such system is Fedora. It is highly stable and practically does not drop in terms of performance. You can forever forget about freezes, sudden overloads and other problems.

There are also specific operating systems. For example, Back Track. This system is free and is used by hackers all over the world. Most hacks were carried out thanks to Back Track. It was initially optimized for gaining unauthorized access to download data from a particular computer.

People who are far from the computer field know little about the features of operating systems and their actual number. They install Windows on laptops or computers, iPhones are equipped with their own software, and Android is installed by default on other smartphones or tablets.

But there are other systems, they are generally not intended for a wide range of people due to their features. The choice of a particular OS depends primarily on the tasks that a person sets for himself.

An operating system is a set of software that manages computer resources and provides general maintenance of computer programs. Such a substance is a vital component of system software. Any application programs, as a rule, require an operating system, since it is this that ensures their functioning.

OS differences

Types of operating systems differ from each other in their ability to schedule tasks, as well as some other factors. For functions such as memory allocation, the OS acts as a link between programs and the computer's hardware. Even though application code typically runs directly on the hardware, it constantly makes general calls to OS functions. Various types of operating systems can now be seen on any device containing installed applications - from cell phones and game consoles to supercomputers and web servers. Examples of popular operating systems today include Android, BSD, IOS, GNU/Linux, OS X, Microsoft Windows, Windows Phone and IBM Z/OS. All of the above operating systems, with the exception of Windows and Z/OS, are based on UNIX.

What is UNIX

Unix was originally written in assembly language. Previously based on BCPL, it was later rewritten in C and evolved into a large and complex family of interconnected operating systems that have become part of history. Types of operating systems such as Unix have several large subcategories and include System V, BSD and Linux. All operating systems in these subcategories run on a wide variety of computer architectures. They are widely used for servers in business, as well as workstations in scientific and engineering environments. The free variants of UNIX - Linux and BSD - are popular in all areas today. OS X (formerly "Mac OS X") is an open, graphical user interface operating system developed and introduced by Apple. Some types of operating systems of this type are loaded by default on all manufactured Macintosh computers today. OS X is the successor to the original Mac OS, which has been Apple's main operating system since 1984.

What is Linux

Linux (or GNU/Linux) is a Unix-like shell that was developed without any Unix code, unlike BSD and its variants. It can be used on a wide range of devices - from supercomputers to watches. The Linux kernel is distributed under an open license, so anyone can read and change its code. Speaking of how to remove an operating system, this type stands out for its ease of use. Although current estimates show that Linux is used on just 1.82% of all PCs, it has gained widespread use in embedded systems (such as mobile phones) and servers. Linux has supplanted Unix in most areas and is used on 10 of the most powerful supercomputers in the world.

A little about Windows

Microsoft Windows is a family of proprietary operating systems developed by Microsoft Corporation and primarily focused on the Intel computer architecture. Researchers estimate that its usage accounts for 88.9 percent of the total share of web-connected computers. Many people consider it to be the best operating system available these days.

Working with a computer every day, we often don’t even think about the fact that with one keystroke we activate millions of the smallest elements, force the most complex logic to work, open and close many hidden programs and functions. We think about the operating system only when we lack functions, when new versions of already used OSes are released, or radically new systems are developed. Then, chasing productivity, novelty and convenience, we install a new system and discover new possibilities in the information world. But what is an operating system? How does it work and what does it actually do? What types of operating systems are there, and how do they differ from each other? Which operating system is better to choose for yourself? We'll talk about all this.

operating system

Let's start from the beginning and answer the first question. So, an operating system is a certain set of software tools that implement the processing and processing of user information to transfer it to machine logic to perform assigned tasks. As a rule, the user imagines the operating system only as a visual shell. But he is wrong... only half wrong.
The structure of the operating system is a multi-layered cake, the bottom layer of which (like a cake) makes up the core. This is the foundation that undertakes to keep everything under control, handle errors and commands. If you do not go into details of the structure of the hardware component of the PC, then this “cake” lies directly on the “tray”, i.e. on machine logic. The top layer of the OS (like cream roses on a favorite sweet dish) is what the user sees: images, screensaver, cursor, etc.
This software cake includes:
  • the cake itself (core), consisting, as usual, of flour, butter, milk, etc. (that is, from auxiliary modules that together perform all the functions of the kernel);
  • loader - impregnation for the cake, thanks to which the cream adheres to it;
  • device drivers are the oil thanks to which our cake does not stick to one tray, but can be transferred to another, more beautiful or more convenient;
  • the command processor is a layer of nuts between the cake and the cream, thanks to which the cake is tastier and more interesting (and the operating system is faster and more functional);
  • the interface is those same cream roses.
In the general computing system of a computer, there is an “axis” between the computer’s built-in software (here it is, the BIOS and everything that makes the simplest commands work: addition, subtraction and register shift) and the user’s software applications (here is the user area: applications, files, etc.).
What does the operating system do? In fact, she has a lot of work and is always busy (so don’t be too angry with her when she makes you wait a few seconds, because she has a lot to do). It manages the input and output of data and distributes these and tasks to one or another device, loads programs into RAM and executes them, and generally manages RAM, distributing it left and right to different applications you run, depending on how it would be more rational to use her. The operating system also controls access to all data sources (removable and flash media, etc.), protects data and itself (from hackers, malware and user errors). The same OS is also responsible for multitasking your PC and provides the ability for many users to work on the computer. If you think that without the operating system we would only see a black screen and white letters with numbers, you are mistaken - we would not see this either, because the OS is already needed to display the letters.
What types of OS are there? This question is usually answered this way: operating systems include Windows (this also includes DOS, as a rule), MacOS and its various versions, and Unix-like ones. In fact, their difference is much more complex and broader, however, this is a slightly different story (the history of the “Operating Systems” course taught to future network and system administrators). Well, we’ll talk about the three that have already been named, looking at them a little closer.
And we will begin by telling the reader statistics on the use of operating systems. Research showed that as of October 2011, Unix-like systems were preferred by only 0.84% ​​of users, while Apple's operating systems (MacOS) were used by 7.18%. Most of all users of different versions of Windows are 90.13% (the source of statistical data is the website statcounter.com). If you compare these results with similar indicators for 2010, you will notice that users are moving in small steps from Windows to other systems.
And now that we have become information savvy, let’s return to our more familiar user assessment of the software offered to us today in the form of the latest versions of operating systems.

Operating system Windows 7

The newest operating system released by Microsoft is . Windows 8, announced this year, is not yet available to users, so we cannot “touch” it yet, and we will only be able to next summer, according to the developers.
The evolution of Windows. It all started, as we all understand, with DOS - with a simple blue screen and white letters. Probably, to this day this system has remained the fastest and most reliable, because it had maximum communication with the hardware component and a minimum of visual effects. But it was not very functional, so different versions began to appear: the first Windows 1.01, then the “improved” Windows 2.03. On the first desktop PCs, we will most likely remember Windows 95, then Windows 98, with which, for some reason, I still associate the nickname “stump” and the joke “about the old Pentium.” Windows Millenium made a lot of noise, from which much was expected, and then it found itself in the same position. Windows 7 today is considered a fairly stable and user-friendly system, and it’s hard to disagree with this.
Installing Windows 7 doesn't take much time. Personal experience has shown that, if desired, a complete set of OS can be installed on the computer in 12-15 minutes, and if desired, less - in 25-30. During installation, the user receives fairly accurate instructions about the ongoing processes and his actions, which is important for those who maintain their computer independently, without deep knowledge in this area.

This version took a lot from the previous one - for example, demands on hardware resources. It doesn’t promise, but it will still try to work if you have less than 1 GB of RAM for a 32-bit OS, a video adapter with less than 128 MB of storage, and a support for DirectX versions lower than 9. It will also require a reader and writer (here it’s up to you to decide DVD adapter or USB connector). It is advisable to still have 16 GB of free disk space, or better yet, more.
System Performance is high and this cannot but please the user who wants to do everything at once: conduct network activity in 3 browsers, master the latest version, and something else. Compared to previous versions of Windows, the hard drive performance has become stronger, while the graphics have weakened somewhat. But it is perfectly compensated by the advanced hardware. Considering the overall result, Windows 7 lost a couple of positions in favor of .
Interface“friendly”, as the developers say. And the desktop is customizable perfectly (in the figure below we can see the window for personalizing the virtual workplace).

And the whole system has significantly expanded the number of settings, which is why it’s only a plus for a more experienced user, but not a minus for a less “savvy” one.

Now you can configure the sound, display, and much more. The operating system will definitely advise the user what needs to be done in order to increase productivity in one or another area of ​​its work, improve certain indicators, or solve a problem that suddenly arises with the network or debugging a program.
Stability and security. It will pleasantly amuse those who always suffer from the inexperience of acquaintances and friends by the fact that errors that arise due to incorrect input or other “oversights” of the user have been much better worked out. This suggests that the system as a whole has become more stable. Again, I will give readers of MirSovetov an example from personal experience: even if the system was left for 10 days without reboots or shutdowns, it did not work slower or make more mistakes.
In order to protect itself and the user, Windows 7 will try to check everything that can cause the slightest harm to the stability and security of the PC. From now on, all storage media, programs from unknown developers, and files with activity unusual for this extension are subject to careful control. As before, the OS will report each step to the user. This will irritate many, but believe me, this is for your own safety.
Among the main advantages of the new “OS” it should be noted:
  • multi-level security (from the most sensitive, which will sound the alarm almost every time the slightest bit harmful software is launched, to the most “calm”, which only alerts that a certain program intends to make changes to the system);
  • the presence of many new functions, for example, the “Libraries” function, designed to replace the outdated “My Documents”;
  • expansion of the main menu and “Toolbar”.
Among the shortcomings was another new feature - "HomeGroups", which is designed to serve entire folders to users over the network. The function is great, but it is not yet fully functional. We are waiting, as they say! It is also unpleasant that Windows XP users will not be able to upgrade to Windows 7 - they either have to reinstall the system altogether or use utilities that do not allow them to transfer already installed programs. Those. The desire for Windows 7 will one way or another result in installing all the software again. I was also very disappointed by the fact that some device drivers simply do not fit, although it was promised that they would be inherited from Vista.
Overall, the reviewed Windows 7 Professional operating system makes an extremely pleasant impression, although jumping from Windows XP directly to Windows 7 will be a shock for many.

Linux Mint 11

Most users of Unix-like operating systems are just some kind of “enemy camp” for Windows users. The former are not happy with Windows because of its “slowness, a lot of errors and generally eternal dampness,” while the latter consider Unix systems “something extremely incomprehensible and not user-friendly.” The points of view of both “opponents” are understandable, but judge for yourself whether they are wrong.
History of Linux. The first Unix, however, were not very adapted for the average user, but then there were not so many ordinary users and they were all quite well “savvy” in terms of system administration. Therefore, one should not blame the developers for the lack of decent visualization, but should praise them for their courage, because they continued to develop that branch of operating systems for which they did not really predict a good future.
A distinctive feature of Unix systems has always been that they are not monolithic, like Windows: their core consists of many independent modules that can work independently. This allows you to “reassemble” the system right while working with it, which, of course, appeals to those who do at least a little programming. Due to its atomicity, such an “axis” works better (read more stable and faster). The process of her work is somewhat similar to picking apples: who will pick faster, several gnomes or 1 tall and strong person? A person will simply climb one tree and collect fruits in a basket, then another. And the gnomes will divide the garden among themselves according to the principle “1 worker - 1 tree” and do all the work at once. At the same time, both fallen apples will be collected (probably several gardeners will be thrown into “earth” work), and those that have just ripened at the very top of the tree (an agile and light gnome will easily reach the very top branch).
Most Unix systems do not have one manufacturer or developer, because its codes are open and can be rewritten by anyone and in any way - it’s like folk art. But some versions are still developed centrally.
The history of Linux itself began with an attempt to create a free operating system, as they say, “from scratch” within the GNU project. Linux received its kernel from Unix and was equipped with many bells and whistles. If the first versions of this OS were console-based and “incomprehensible” for most users, the latest ones are quite similar to Windows in appearance and functionality and even allow you to work with applications familiar to users of this OS.
The latest version of Linux Mint 11, released in May of this year, was taken for consideration.
Installing Linux Mint is almost completely automated and will require user participation with only a few clicks: specifying the language, initial login password and network settings. Everything that happens during installation, as well as what the user can or cannot do, is notified in writing by the installation wizard. The whole action will take no more than 10 minutes and will not require any special knowledge or skills.

, like all Unix systems, Linux Mint is minimal. 512 MB of RAM, an integrated video adapter and 5 GB of hard drive memory are sufficient for this OS. You will also need a DVD or USB. A 32-bit operating system will run perfectly on both a 32-bit and a 64-bit processor.
Performance, as always on top. You can only compare the 64 and 32-bit versions of the system. Despite the fact that 64 bits is the initial adaptation to increase performance, and 32 is a guarantee of compatibility, the result will be quite ambiguous: with the 32-bit “version” the graphics are more productive, but in access to data (and therefore to disks) ) 64 bits have no equal. It turns out there’s just some kind of division of labor.
Interface more than friendly. The number of different settings (from the background and screensaver to setting up updates and installing software) will simply amaze a user who is confident in the “complexity and incomprehensibility” of Linux. The window for setting up the “appearance” of the OS is shown in the figure.

What does the user need from the operating system? Functionality, performance and completeness. From this point of view, Linux Mint will satisfy the requirements of any user. The fact is that the “axis” comes immediately with the minimum required set of drivers and software (by the way, the list of “built-in” programs has been changed, which we’ll talk about later). Access to all the richness of the operating system is carried out through a transformed menu, which personally reminded me of Windows 7.

The programs already installed include:
  • browsers (in particular Mozilla Firefox);
  • an analogue of the MS Office software package, which, by the way, allows you to save documents in various formats (from txt to docx);
  • programs for listening to music, viewing videos and images, as well as editing the latter;
  • programs for online communication (Jabber), etc.
In general, we can consider that the operating system is well equipped. It is useful for MirSovetov readers to know that there are no problems with installing additional software, since most programs written for Windows successfully install and work perfectly with Linux Mint. By the way, as a rule, various “add-ons” are added to programs familiar to us, designed to make life easier for the user and simplify information management, search and processing (for example, mint-search-addon, built into browsers for easier and more convenient searching for data on different resources).
Linux Mint Security– this is, first of all, the security of all “non-Windows” systems, because most viruses are written specifically for Windows, but Linux and its brothers remain on the sidelines. But besides this, of course, there are many additional means designed to protect the user and his faithful information friend. They work for this, configure network parameters, etc.
System stability, as already mentioned, is ensured by its atomicity. The fact is that an error that occurs in one of the modules will not affect the others in any way. Therefore, the OS will calmly enter data about the error and its causes into the event log, reload this module and begin working further, and the user will simply not notice anything at all. You won’t be able to see constant error notifications either... Unix is ​​generally a very silent and balanced system.
The advantages should be noted as follows:
  • compared to previous versions, the interface and customizability have been significantly improved;
  • the presence of a minimum set of software allows you to install the system and immediately start working with it;
  • Drivers and codecs supplied with the OS are usually suitable for any initial user equipment;
  • OS incompatibility with the Wi-Fi standard has been fixed;
  • Linux will fit perfectly next to any other operating system and will not even think about starting to conflict with it, so there is no point in abandoning the already familiar “axis”.
Among the disadvantages, we note that we, the “generation raised on Windows,” will have to work hard to get used to Linux Mint, although not much. It’s not worth installing Linux without constant access to the World Wide Web, since the Internet for this OS is not only a source of information, but also a source of updates and additional software (which is extremely difficult to install simply from a flash drive, but from the Internet it couldn’t be easier) and much more.
In general, the impression of Linux Mint is good, I will say even more: this operating system fully met my expectations.

MacOS Lion 10.7.2

Let's start by saying: MacOS is not just an operating system, it is a lifestyle. Believe me, this phrase has a strong justification. The fact is that MacOS was initially adapted for “its” hardware and works on the IBMs we are used to, but it doesn’t matter very much.
History of MacOS. Designed to be a reliable and productive operating system, MacOS initially surprised everyone by the fact that it worked exclusively on computers made by Apple. “It will be more reliable for her, and calmer for you and me!” said the developers, however, they nevertheless made a slight deviation from this rule and still allowed the latest versions to be installed on any hardware.
The first MacOS appeared in 1984, but something more or less similar to the beauty that we are used to seeing on Macs was invented only closer to 2000. At the same time, the first version was called very simply: System 1.0, but the pleasant ones were “Lion”, “Leopard”, etc. – this is already a heritage of our times. In the process of its development, MacOS has gone from complete instability (yes, there were times when an error in the operation of 1 application simply turned off the entire system) to absolute reliability, multitasking and everything that we will talk about next.
Installing MacOS Lion occurs easily and naturally in the mode of dialogue between the user and his PC. In terms of time, we estimate it to be 10-15 minutes, which is a good indicator. It’s nice to see that even during installation the operating system behaves extremely confidently and does everything within the promised time frame (she said the files would be unpacked in 6 minutes and unpacked them in 6 minutes, may Windows users understand me). MacOS Lion also shows its unique style already at this stage, as can be seen in the figure.

Hardware requirements a little big, but justified. A strict requirement is specified regarding the hardware manufacturer - only Apple. The OS will definitely ask you to install it on an Intel i3 processor or even newer, and will also remind you that you should make sure that it has the following in stock:
  • at least 2 GB of RAM;
  • 16 GB of hard suit storage;
  • a video card worthy of all its delights (I think, at least 512 MB, although this is not indicated in the requirements).
macOS Lion performance directly depends on what hardware you put at its disposal. But, in any case, readers of MirSovetov should not worry that resources will be used irrationally or that the processor that supports parallelism will suddenly be out of work. Multitasking is not just built-in here - everything rests on it! In general, performance has improved compared to previous versions, but not much, so the user will not notice much of a difference.
MacOS Lion interface– this is something you can talk about for hours and days and write entire books. MacOS has always been beautiful. How much does a desktop cost?

“This is what a “friendly” interface is!” said the developers and placed everything that a user could urgently need in using a PC right at hand. It turned out convenient, fast and beautiful.
The user is allowed to configure everything that “his little darling wants”, for which “System Settings” are implemented, not too large-scale, but very functional: all settings are divided into categories and clearly demarcated.

The operating system also comes with a set of software, so once you install it, you can immediately start working. True, you will have to spend some more time getting used to all this luxury, speed and functionality, and most importantly, to the fact that there are no “familiar and favorite” (for Windows users) applications here and will not be, since with this OS most of them are simply incompatible. But there are their analogues, which are not inferior to them either in convenience or in quality (for example, the favorite Mozilla browser can easily replace the no less functional Safari).
MacOS Lion Security is based on the fact that this OS was developed already in the era of the Internet, and therefore all possible problems are necessarily provided for here. There is also a firewall and antivirus here, and built-in, of course. Well, the rule “MacOS is a “not Windows” system” also works successfully. Who will write a virus that targets only 6.5% of PC users worldwide? This is not to say that there are no viruses for MacOS, but there are few of them.
Stability is provided by the Unix FreeBSD kernel, full multitasking of the system, hardware stability (don’t forget about the requirement for a hardware platform from Apple) and many years of practice of the manufacturer and developers of the operating system. No matter how much I tried to piss off this system, it only kindly informed me that such actions were beyond the boundaries of my capabilities and rights. You don't even have to worry about losing your data or your work - the autosave feature won't allow that.
The advantages of MacOS Lion can be listed for a long time, but we will note only those that appeared in this version and are absolute innovations:
  • control of visual components has become easier and more beautiful thanks to the Multi-Touch gesture system;
  • now all windows can be full screen, which greatly simplifies data management;
  • many programs supplied with the OS have undergone qualitative changes, after which they have become more convenient, functional and beautiful;
  • the cost of this version surprises everyone who knows Apple prices.
Among the shortcomings, it is worth noting that not all qualitative changes in applications were for the better. For example, the Dashboard (“widget”) has deteriorated; many users complain that the calendar has become inconvenient for them.
Overall, the system is very pleasant: the unique style of MacOS has not been lost, excellent changes have been made, and the speed of operation is impressive.

Comparing these operating systems would be inappropriate, and you can see that yourself, right? It is impossible to compare systems that operate on different logic, are produced and developed by different companies, and generally have virtually nothing in common. The term “compare” from the point of view of operating systems is allowed within one type of system or in the case of choosing a system for yourself. If you are "comparing" them based on the desire to choose, my advice to you is to make a list of what is important to you in an operating system (for example, reliability, lack of strict hardware requirements, etc.) and consider all possible options.

The operating system is the connecting link, on the one hand, between the computer hardware and the programs being executed, and on the other hand, between the computer hardware and the user.

The operating system can be called a software extension of the computer's control device. Forming a layer between the user and the equipment, it hides from him complex and unnecessary details of the computer’s functioning and frees him from the labor-intensive work of organizing the computing process.

The functions of the operating system include:

 support of dialogue with the user;

 input/output and data management;

 planning and organizing the program processing process;

 resource distribution (RAM and cache memory, processor, external devices);

 launching programs for execution;

 performing auxiliary maintenance operations;

 transfer of information between various internal devices;

 support for the operation of peripheral devices (display, keyboard, floppy and hard drives, printer, etc.).

In accordance with the functions performed in the OS structure, the following main components can be distinguished:

 modules providing the user interface;

 module that manages the file system;

 module that decrypts and executes commands (command processor);

 peripheral device drivers.

The operating system is stored in the computer's external memory. When you turn on the computer, part of it (the kernel) is read from the hard drive and placed in RAM. This process is called loading the operating system . During operation, the kernel is constantly located in RAM (the resident part of the OS), and the remaining operating system modules are loaded as needed to perform their functions, and then the following modules are loaded in their place (the transit part of the OS).

Types of operating systems

Operating systems can be classified according to various criteria: the number of tasks to be solved, concurrent users, the number of supported processors, support for network operation, basic user communication with the system, type of hardware platform, number of bits of the address bus, etc.

Based on the number of tasks solved in parallel on a computer OS is divided into:

single-tasking (for example, MS DOS);

multitasking (for example, OS/2, UNIX, Windows 95 and higher).

Currently, single-tasking operating systems have been replaced by multi-tasking ones, which provide simultaneous solution of several tasks and manage the distribution of the resources they share (processor, RAM, files and external devices).

By number of concurrent users:

single-user (for example, MS DOS, Windows 3.x);

multi-user (eg Unix, Linux, Windows 2000).

The main difference between multi-user systems and single-user systems is the availability of means to protect each user’s information from unauthorized access by others.

Each operating system has its own means for the user to perform certain actions (launching an application program, copying a file, formatting an external device, etc.). Therefore, as a classification sign we can call user interface with OS. There are operating systems that provide user interaction through:

command interface (for example, MS DOS);

 graphical interface (for example, Windows).

The characteristics of operating systems, as a rule, are influenced by the specifics of the hardware on which it is targeted. By type of equipment There are operating systems for personal computers of various platforms (IBM-compatible, Apple Macintosh), mini-computers, mainframes, computer clusters and networks. Among these types of computers, there can be both single-processor and multi-processor options.

By number of address bus bits computers , for which the OS is oriented, operating systems are divided into 16 (MS DOS), 32 (Windows 2000) and 64-bit (Windows 2003) .

The operating systems market presents developments from various companies, which differ in their focus on hardware, solving a certain range of problems, consumer needs, etc. It is possible to identify operating systems that have certain common features: one manufacturer, a unified approach to organization and operation, etc., which allows you to classify them by families and lines. For example, we can distinguish such families as Windows ( Microsoft), Unix (various developers), Solaris ( Sun Microsystems) and others. In the Windows family, it is customary to distinguish between the Windows 9.x line (Windows 95, 98, Millennium) and Windows NT (Windows 2000, XP, 2003).

Types of operating systems. We all constantly hear such phrases as “operating system” and “Windows”, but few people understand what we are talking about. When I am asked to help in some matter, and I ask a person what operating system they have on their computer, they answer me that they either do not understand what they are talking about, or they honestly say that they do not know. It is imperative to know what operating system is installed on your computer, because... They are all different and their settings are different. And if you want to learn something about computer topics, you must understand this and be able to identify your operating system. We will also consider this issue in our lesson.

First, we need to understand what an operating system is and what it is designed for.

Operating system, abbr. OS (English operating system, OS) is a set of interconnected programs designed to manage computer resources and organize user interaction. (Wikipedia)

Without an operating system (OS for short), not a single computer will even work. It is the operating system that controls all the programs, processes, memory and all the hardware on your computer.

As soon as you turn on the computer, the process of loading the operating system begins, during which the following occurs:

  • Checking all equipment.
  • Availability of drivers for them. A driver is a program for the operation of each equipment separately. Each operating system has its own driver written.
  • After the first two checks are completed, the operating system starts.

Types of operating systems

Most often, when you buy a computer, the operating system is already installed. Most of you don't even care about what she is like. And knowing your system is very important, if only because different operating systems work differently, are configured differently, and even have a different desktop.

There are three main and most popular operating systems:

  1. Microsoft Windows(Microsoft is the company that produces this system, and Windows (Windows), translated from English, means windows):

  2. Apple Mac OS X(abbreviated as Mac, and Apple is a company (translated from English, it means apple);

Each operating system has its own appearance, the so-called graphical interface (from English - face).

The first operating systems, called MS-DOS, did not have a graphical interface. Work in them was only through the command line using the keyboard. There were no mice then, and they weren’t needed. It was necessary to know and remember many commands in English. And on the monitor there were only numbers and letters, at best, graphs. For a simple user, all this was not clear and not interesting.

In the mid-1980s, Microsoft created the Windows operating system, and a new era began, thanks to which you and I can now write letters, books, work with photographs, pictures, create our own films, websites, “walk” on the Internet and learn new sciences and crafts.

Here is the list of Windows OS:

  1. Windows 1.0 (1985)
  2. Windows 2.0 (1987)
  3. Windows 3.0 (1990)
  4. Windows 3.1 (1992)
  5. Windows for Workgroups 1/3.11

The Windows 9x family, in which people like you and I could already work:

  1. Windows 95 (1995)
  2. Windows 98 (1998)
  3. Windows ME (2000)

Windows NT family

  1. Windows NT 3.1 (1993)
  2. Windows NT 3.5 (1994)
  3. Windows NT 3.51 (1995)
  4. Windows NT 4.0 (1996)
  5. Windows 2000 - Windows NT 5.0 (2000)
  6. Windows XP - Windows NT 5.1 (2001)
  7. Windows XP 64-bit Edition - Windows NT 5.2 (2003)
  8. Windows Server 2003 - Windows NT 5.2 (2003)
  9. Windows XP Professional x64 Edition - Windows NT 5.2 (2005)
  10. Windows Vista - Windows NT 6.0 (2006)
  11. Windows Home Server - Windows NT 5.2 (2007)
  12. Windows Server 2008 - Windows NT 6.0 (2008)
  13. Windows Small Business Server - Windows NT 6.0 (2008)
  14. Windows 7 - Windows NT 6.1 (2009)
  15. Windows Server 2008 R2 - Windows NT 6.1 (2009)
  16. Windows Home Server 2011 - Windows NT 6.1 (2011)
  17. Windows 8 - Windows NT 6.2 (2012)
  18. Windows Server 2012 - Windows NT 6.2 (2012)
  19. Windows 8.1 - Windows NT 6.3 (2013)
  20. Windows Server 2012 R2 - Windows NT 6.3 (2013)
  21. Windows 10 - Windows NT 10.0 (2015)

OS family for smartphones:

  1. Windows CE
  2. Windows Mobile
  3. Windows Phone
  4. Windows 10 Mobile

This is only the Windows family, and that's not all. The rest you will never meet, because... they are not intended for home use.

You are probably only familiar with these:

  • Windows XP Professional
  • Windows Vista
  • Windows 7
  • Windows 8
  • Windows 8.1
  • Windows 10

How to determine your operating system:

Watch this video, identify your operating system, and write in the comments what OS is on your computer.

To start a video, left-click on its picture or triangle icon.



 

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