OS Basics — Last-Minute Review

Course assessment context

  • WAD portion of the course is worth 40%40\% of the final grade.
  • PowerPoint assignment is part of that WAD; out of 100100 points, it’s approximately 0.50.5 points.
  • The content covers five pages of topics to surface in class.

System software vs Operating system

  • System software runs the computer; operating system (OS) is the complete management layer.
  • OS is the foundation/foundation-level software that controls hardware and software operation.

OS platforms and major families

  • The three major OSs (platforms) are: Windows, macOS (Mac), and Linux.
  • Computers typically come with an OS preinstalled; upgrades may be required (e.g., moving to a newer Windows version).
  • Security considerations motivate keeping the OS up to date; old OSes may have vulnerabilities.

Graphical user interface (GUI) vs command line

  • GUI = picture-based interface; you click icons to perform actions.
  • Behind the GUI are commands; you don’t need to type commands manually.

Personalization and accessibility

  • Personalization features exist to tailor the system to users; accessibility features may also be present.

File management and backups

  • Avoid saving everything with the same name (e.g., all files named "PowerPoint"); use descriptive file names and proper backups.
  • Good file management supports backup and versioning (prevents overwriting work).

Memory and performance management

  • Memory types: volatile vs nonvolatile; flash memory; cache memory.
  • The OS helps manage programs and memory; monitors performance, updates, security, and network access controls.

Maintenance utilities

  • Utilities are programs that perform maintenance tasks (e.g., disk cleanup, driver updates) often running behind the scenes.

Software as a Service (SaaS) and software models

  • Software as a Service (SaaS): pay monthly and run online; examples include Office 365.
  • SaaS can reduce local storage usage since data is stored on servers.

Open source vs closed source

  • Open source software vs closed source software: different licensing and access models.

Miscellaneous notes from lecture

  • GUI accessibility improvements and personalization options enhance usability that may be overlooked.