What is a computer operating system, and where can I find a list?
The question “What is an operating system?” is one I get asked often, and I have even been told in the past while trying to sort out a customer’s problem that their operating system is Google when, in fact, that is the browser they are using, not the operating system. (Google does have an open-source operating system called Chrome OS, I should state) That seems to be the problem: people but computers, and no one ever tells them the basics of what they are using. Once paid for, you are forgotten and left to fend for yourself.
Let’s clear it and go through the main operating systems and exactly what they are and do.
What operating systems are there??
There are many different operating systems out there, but the ones you will be familiar with by name will probably be:
- Microsoft Windows 95
- Microsoft Windows XP
- Microsoft Windows ME
- Microsoft Windows Vista
- Microsoft Windows 7
- Microsoft Windows 8 (due for release later this year, possibly October)
- Mac OS 8
- Mac OS 9
- Mac OS X
- Solaris
- Ubuntu
- Fedora
- Open Suse
- Free BSD
- Symbian
- Android
- Palm
The list goes on, but most of the well-known ones are there.
Okay, but what is an operating system?
It is a complex set of programs designed to manage and control your computer hardware resources and software. This means they can provide services to programs you run on your computer.
OK, so maybe that was not that simple. Think of it as the middleman between the physical Hardware in your computer and the game or software you want to run.
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You open your game or program, which could be the conversation between your game/program, Windows, and the Hardware.
- Program: Hey, windows, I want to run. Can you sort me out some resources?
- Windows: Sure, what do you need?
- Program: I could do with a bit of memory, processing power, and some place to store my settings if that’s OK.
- Windows: Let me chat with Hardware and see what we can do. Program Pete: Cheers
- *Windows goes to talk to Hardware*
- Windows: Hey, Hardware, how’s it going down there? Program Pete is at it again: “Get me this, get me that.” Do you have some free resources?
Hardware: He never leaves me alone, does he? Tell him he can use 100% of the processor if he needs it as nobody else is using it at the minute, but if anti-virus Annie comes in, he will have to share it with her. Tell him he can have half the memory, too, and as much storage as he wants within reason.
- Windows: Cheers, Hardware. I will let him know and allocate it to him.
- *Windows goes back to Program Pete*
- Windows: Right, Pete, here is what I can do for you, but if someone else comes along, you will have to share the resources.
- *Uri USB is plugged in and anti-virus Annie wakes up*
- URI and Annie together: Can we please have some resources!!
- Program Pete: *sigh* now it will take me a nanosecond longer to do my task because I have to share with those two.
- And so the conversation continues…
It may sound silly, but if you want to make it basic, this is pretty much what is happening, although, granted, how it happens is very complex. Without the operating system, the programs you use would not be able to run as they would not be able to talk to the Hardware, which is why you will find pretty much every desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone, and iPad smartphone has an operating system.
Are there any free operating systems out there?
There are many free ones out there, and over the years, they have become more and more compatible with the software we use regularly. For example, the new Raspberry Pi comes with Linux, which is free and allows you to do all the basics, such as going on the internet and creating documents.
Below is a list of some of the free Linux ones out there
- Fedora
- Open Solaris
- Ubuntu
- Free BSD
- Chrome OS
- Haiku
There is much more out there. This is just a sample of the most popular. You will find arguments all over the internet on operating systems that cost vs. free operating systems so that I won’t go into it here, but if you move to free software, be sure to do your research. The most important thing to remember is Linux is not Windows and is very different, so be ready for a learning curve.
Okay, these all go on my computer, so what mobile operating systems are?
Mobile operating systems are much the same as those for your desktop or laptop, but they are designed for tablets, PDAs, or mobile phones. These combine several features such as a touch-screen, Bluetooth, GPRS, video cameras, cameras, and many other features. The most common mobile operating systems are:
- Android – Open source from Google
- Blackberry iOS
- Apple closed source used on iPhones and iPads.
- Symbian – Used by Nokia
- Windows phone – Closed source software from Microsoft.
- How do I find out what operating system I am using?
If using a smartphone or iPad, you should determine what you are running from the above list. On a Mac, you are most likely to be using OS X Snow Leopard.
To find out what you are running on a Windows machine, find the My Computer Icon on your desktop (if it is not on your desktop, press your start menu button/windows button, and you should discover My Computer or Computer on the right-hand side). Use your right mouse button to click on it and select properties. The screen will tell you the operating system you are running.
