UNIT 3. OPERAING SYSTEM

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Software is the set of programs or instructions that start up the computer and process data so tha we can use it.

The instructions in the programs are written in programing languages. There are several types of programs. Each one performs a specific function:

A) OPERATING SYSTEMS. This is the core program that tells the computer how it should perform all its basic funcions, eg. displaying the character on the screen, printing information or recording information on a disc. It enables the comunication between the hardware and the the programs with the user, therefore it is an ``interfaz``.  The OS is loaded from the HD and stored in the RAM memory, where it remains until the computer is turned off. Nowdays you can open different windows and work with several files and programs at the same time (it is called Multi-Task System). Another type of operating system is the LINUX, it can be used, improved and shared at no cost.

B) APPLICATION. An office software suite is the group of programs used to organise, store and process data, as well as trnansmit information. The mos frequently programs are word, spreadsheets, database management systems and presentations programs (e.g. the programs that belong to the Microsoft Office Package).

 MULTIMEDIA PROGRAMS to process text, images, animation, sound, etc. 

PROGRAMING LANGUAGES to create another programs and applications: Java, C++, VisualBasic, etc

ACTIVITY Nº1.

a) Do you think it is possible to run a program on a computer without an operating system? Give reasons about your answer.

No, because enables the comunication between the hardware and the the programs with the user, therefore it is an ``interfaz``.If there is not comunication between the hardware and the program , its imposible to run a program.

b) List four or more types of operating systems?

Windows 7, Windows xp, Mac OS, Windows vista

c) What are the items that you can see on the desktop (eg.icons)?

Mi pc, papelera de reciclaje, mis documentos, mis sitios de red, internet and some direct access to other programs

d) How many computer icons do you know?

e) Make a table where you can compare the aplications of the Windows Office Package with the Open Office Package.

f) Make a table where you can compare the differences between the Windows OS and the Linux OS.

ACTIVITY Nº2. 

a) What´s MATRIX? Is it a program or a machine? Explain it.

1) Apart from information technology, matrix (pronounced MAY-triks ) has a number of special meanings. From the Latin word for womb (in turn from mater or mother), a matrix is either the intercellular substance of a tissue, the material in which a fossil is embedded, or a mold from which a relief surface is made in printing or phonograph manufacturing.

2) In mathematics and computer science, a matrix is a set of numbers laid out in tabular form (in rows and columns). From this meaning, a less formal meaning is derived of a complex of lines intersecting at right angles.

3) In cyberculture, the Internet and other networks that flow into it are altogether sometimes called "the matrix." In William Gibson's science-fiction novel, Neuromancer ," the matrix" is a vast sea of computing resources that can be visualized by the user, is accessible at many levels, and is lit up more intensely in the areas of greatest activity. The hero, Case, "jacks in" to the matrix through wiring that is (perhaps, since it's not entirely clear) integrated with his brain and explores the matrix with a "deck" or computer console that provides a holographic view.

b) Write down 3 features of an Operative System.

1. Program Execution 

2. Handling Input/Output Operations

3. Manipulation Of File System

4. Error Detection And Handling

5. Resource Allocation

6. Accounting

7. Information And Resource Protection

c) Write down one example of an “Operative Multi-Task System”.

Linux, for example.

d) Describe the differences between an Operative System of Commands and one of Graphics Interface.

Desktop software should already be installed on your hard disk or on an accessible server in your network. If you are unsure that you have access to the desktop software, see your system administrator, or refer to the installation manual for your specific platform.
This chapter briefly describes the differences between the command line interface and the desktop environment.

3.2. WORKING WITH AN OPERATING SYSTEMS

The Operationg Systme enables communication between the hardware and the programs. The OS is loaded from the hard drive and stored in the RAM, where it remains until computer is turned off. 

When you turn on the PC, it automatically loads the OS, which allows you to see a screen called the "desktop". 

On the desktopo you can find different "icons" which links with different applications, files or folder. 

With the OP you can open different windows and work with several files and programs at the same time. All windows have a title bar, a status bar, a control menu, a toolbar, a work area, a scroll bar and several buttons with different functions.

The datas are stores as files and to organise the amount of them you can use folders. The drives are where the information is stored, organised into files and folders.

Each file has a name, an extension and an associated icon to tell us the type of information stored inside. You can look for it by using Windows Explorer.

If you right-click on a file or folder, you can access a menu that will enable you to cut,copy, paste, delete or change the name or that file or folder.

When a file is too much memory you can compress it. Data compression, source coding or bit-rate reduction is the process of encoding information using fewer bits than the original representation would use.

Compression is useful because it helps reduce the consumption of expensive resources, such as hard disk space or transmission bandwidth. 

ACTIVITY Nº3:

PRACTICE WITH YOUR COMPUTER DOING THE FOLLOWING TASKS, WRITE DOWN THE RESULT ON YOUR BLOG.

3.1.Change the date of your computer and create a folder. Change back the correct date and create another folder. Check the difference between both dates.

3.2. Look at the menu “start>program” the application for the calculator and open it. Work on it with the following examples: 

A) Square root of 9; - 3

b) (25+7)*15 = 480

c) Binary of 25 - 11001

3.3. Find out in “start>my PC>properties” the features of your gear:

a) Size of the Hard Disk 9.04 GB

b) Capacity of the RAM Memory. 1.87 GB

c) Type of Operating System. Microsoft Xp, Profesional,versión 2002, service pack 3

d) Type of microprocessor. Core Processor 5200+

e) Speed of microprocessor.  2.71 GHz

f) Name of your PC. ALUMNO 5

g) Name of your NET. TECNOLOGÍA

3.4. Change the “background” of your desk top with another image of Windows.

3.5. Check the last files that exist in your computer:  C:\Documents and Setting\User\Recent

3.6. Open a folder and show the files in order: first by name and then by modification date.

3.7. Create a file with the text processor, erase it and then recover it using the “Recycle bin”

3.8. Go to the “Recycle bin “and erase a file permanently (be careful in this operation)

3.9. Check in your computer how many users there are. Invitado y Administrador

3.10. Find out what IP your computer has. Go to “start>accessories>Symbol of the system” and type IPCONFIG. 10.120.48.242

3.11. Find out how many printers your computer has:  “start>control panel”

2 type of printers.

3.12. Look at the meaning of “IP address” in Wikipedia. Copy the text and paste it on a new document of MS-Word.

An Internet Protocol address (IP address) is a numerical label assigned to each device (e.g., computer, printer) participating in a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication.[1] An IP address serves two principal functions: host or network interface identification and location addressing. Its role has been characterized as follows.

a) Select the whole text and format it with “ARIAL” font, and size “14”.

b) Align the paragraph in the center.

c) Set automatic number to the different paragraphs.  

d) Look at “IP address” in the GOOGLE IMAGE SEARCH and copy it on the document.

3.13. Save the previous document with the name IP and compress it using WinRAR (or WinZip).Check the size of the document before and after the compression.

10.5 KB before
112 bytes after

3.14. Create a backup of the compressed document in your USB memory.

3.15. Look for the MS-DOS into your computer and describe what are doing the following when you type it: DIR, TREE, MEM

3.16.  Find out and write down in your blog the extensions of the program´s files: MS-PAINT and MS-WORD.

3.17. Find out the compressor programs there are and write down the extension of their files.