Interfaces
There are two types of interfaces- a Command Line Interface (CLI) and a Graphical User Interface (GUI). A Command Line Interface is a type of interface where the user issues commands to the programme. It is a type of interface that relies solely on textual input and output. A Graphical User Interface is a way which you can interact with a computer and you can use items such as Windows, icons, menus which are used by lots of operating systems.
About Mac OS
The GUI was based on work Steve Jobs observed while he was visiting at Xerox PARC nearly five years earlier, and it’s the earliest iteration of all operating systems we use today. The icons used by the original operating system were created by Susan Kare and many are still in use today. OS X is the system that powers all Apple Mac computers. It is built on a solid UNIX foundation and
Apple DOS 3.1 – Released June 1978
This was the first operating system introduced by Apple for their computers.
System 1 – Released January 1984
This was a closed source and offered features that are still used in today’s operating system and by Windows.
System 2- Released April 1985
System 2 offered more features to users and seemed to resolve problems found in system 1.
System 3 – Released January 1986
System 3 saw the debut of Mac Plus. It was a very notable upgrade with a much quicker Finder function. It was alos the first time a hierarchical file system was used. Apple also released System 3.1, System 3.2 and System 3.3, each enhanced versions of its previous system.
System 4 – Released March 1987
Few changes were made to this system.
System 6 – Released April 1988
System 6 was the first operating system to have co-operative multitasking.
System 7 – Released May 1991
System 7 was the first OS to require a computer to have a hard drive as floppy disks were too small for it to work with. It was also one of the first systems to have drag-and-drop files and the ability to use virtual memory. The next update to follow System 7 was Mac OS 7.6 which was released 6 years later and debuted the operating system’s new name- Mac OS. The name change was due to copyright needs as the OS was appearing on more third-party computers.
Mac OS 8 – Released July 1997
Mac OS 8 is one of Apple’s most successful softwares and helped to modernise the operating system. Mac OS 8 also saw the most changes introduced including the new platinum interface and the ability to customise the themes. Mac OS 8 was also the first operating system found on the first iMac computers. Mac OS 8.1 saw an updated hierarchical file system. The Mac OS 8.5 update focused on the speed and stability of the system and an improved appearance.
Mac OS 9 – Released October 1999
Mac OS 9 was seen as a transition between OS 8 and OS X, the next generation of the operating system. It offered better Airport wireless networking, software updates and a better search feature.
Mac OS X – Released March 2000
After a hard time at Apple, Steve Jobs was appointed CEO and was able to make any changes he felt were necessary. Mac OS X, codenamed Cheetah was then introduced in 2000. The biggest feature introduced was the updated interface which gave the system a more modern appearance. Through time, different versions of the operating system were released, each with a codename of a big cat. The next version to be released after Cheetah was Version 10.1, codenamed ‘Puma’. Following versions were codenamed Panther, Tiger Snow Leopard, etc. Other versions saw different names introduced such as Version 10.9 codenamed Maverick and the most current version OS X Yosemite. Os X was the basis of iOS8 for Apple iPhones, iPods and iPads.
About Windows
In 1975 Paul Allen & Bill Gates start their own copany named Microsoft. In June 1980 Bill and Paul hire one of Gates’ Harvard classmates to help then run the company. The three were soon approached by IBM about a project which was codenamed ‘chess’. MS-DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System) was later released as their new operating system. Windows was released in 1985 by Microsoft as a graphical extension to MS-DOS.
Windows 3.0 – Released 22 May 1990
Windows 3.0 was the third version introduced by windows but was the first to be widely used. The Windows 3.0 is the Windows platform from Microsoft offered improved performance, advanced graphics with 16 colors, and full support of the more powerful Intel 386 processor. It also offered a wide range of useful features and capabilities, including program manager, file manager, and print manager. It was a completely rewritten application development environment along with an improved set of Windows icons. It sat on top of MS-DOS.
Windows 3.1 – Released 6 April 1992
Windows 3.1 is an updated version of Windows 3.0 and was also widely used. Windows 3.1 added multimedia extensions allowing support for sound cards, MIDI, and CD Audio, Super VGA (800 x 600) monitors, and increased the speed of modem it would support to 9600 bps.
Windows 95 – Released 24 August 1995
Windows 95 is a consumer-oriented graphical user interface-based operating system developed by Microsoft. It is the first GUI that worked independently (without MS-DOS). It introduced fax/modems, email, the online world, multimedia games and educational software. 1995 also saw the release of Internet Explorer.
Windows 98 – Released 25 June 1998
Windows 98 is the first version of Windows designed specifically for consumers Windows 98 is the first version of Windows designed specifically for consumersWindows 98 is the first version of windows specifically designed for consumers and is described as ‘Works Better, Plays Better’. This system introduced the Quick Launch bar.
Windows XP – Released 25 October 2001
In 2001, Windows XP was released with a new look and became one of Microsoft’s best-selling flagship products. There are two versions of XP; a home edition designed for use at home and a professional edition which offers features for business and advanced home computing. The release of this system also saw Windows Messenger, Windows Media Player and Windows Movie Maker being introduced.
Windows Vista – Released 30 January 2007
After a six year reign of Windows XP, in 2007 Windows Vista was released to the public. With an updated look with a redesigned start button. There are several editions of Vista, such as Windows Vista Ultimate, each with different features. Many users found faults with this version of Windows.
Windows 7 – Released 22 July 2009
Windows 7, released in 2009, was designed with the digital wireless world in mind. It saw new ways to work with Windows to the make the experience more fun for users. Windows 7 also marks the debut of Windows Touch which allows touchscreen users to interact with the operating system.
Windows 8 – Released 26 October 2012
Windows 8 was first released in August 2012 to manufacturing and was later released in October 2012 to the general public. Microsoft describes Windows 8 as ‘a reimagined operating system’ with a new interface and with a new tile Start screen layout offers a new experience for users. Apps are introduced and are available at the new Windows Store. The system functions as a tablet but also a PC. Along with Windows 8, Microsoft also released Windows RT for tablets and PCs, designed for ‘sleek’ devices and a longer battery life and is exclusively run from Windows Store.
Windows 8.1 – Released 17 October 2013
Windows 8.1 is an upgrade from Windows 8, although it was released nearly a year after Windows 8 made its debut. Windows 8.1 saw the return of the Start button and is more suitable for users on a PC rather than a touchscreen tablet and enhancements
About Linux
Linux first began in 1991 when 21 year old Finnish student Linus Torvalds began a personal project to build a free operating system. The system is an open source which means its source code is available for anyone to see and allows them to change it, subsequently allowing them to make customisations.
Linux Version 0.01 – Released September 1991
In 1991, Linux was first released to the world and put on the web.
SLS – Released October 1992
In 1992, the first standalone Linux was released.
Linux 1.0 – Released March 1994
Samba 2.0 – Released January 1999
This version allowed Linux servers to provide services to Windows networks.
2.4.0 Kernel – Released January 2001
OS Comparison report
In this report I will be comparing three operating systems- Mac OS X, Windows 8.1 and Linux.
Ability to customise
OS X offers the ability to change the desktop, use custom icons, install your own alert sounds, change the account icon, logon message, menulets and the screensaver. Using the BumpTop feature, users can turn their desktop into a 3D environment where files and folders can be pinned onto ‘the back wall’ and desktop items can be placed into piles on the ‘floor’. Windows users can change the background, general colour scheme and fonts. On the lock screen, users can add their own pictures or set a slideshow. The tile layout of Windows 8 allows users more customisation. Linux is an open source operating system so users of can rewrite the code to customise their desktop to make it personal to themselves.
Support for the user
Users of Mac OS X can find support on the apple website where a range of answers and help is given. Users can book a meeting with a Genius in an apple store who can offer help, advice and a resolution if they have a problem. Microsoft Windows 8.1 includes its own help section, has vast amount of available online documentation and help, as well as books on each of the versions of Windows. As Windows is so popular, users can find forums online where they can find help from other users and experts on the problem that has occurred. Although it may be more difficult to find users familiar with all Linux variants, there are vast amounts of available online documentation and help, books, and support available for Linux.
Connectivity of portable media
With Mac OS X and iOS8 on iPhones, iPods and iPads, your devices can work together. iPhone calls, iMessages and SMS text messages can be sent and received on a Mac even if the iPhone is in another room. Mac users who also have another apple product can start an email, document or browsing session and instantly continue it on their other device. It is also possible to turn on the Personal Hotspot on your iPhone right from the Mac it is connected with meaning the user can get online instantly. If you want to use a second display with your Mac, just plug it in — no configuration required. If you have an Apple TV, you can use your HDTV as a fully functional second display over your wireless network. Users of Windows 8.1 can use Windows Media Player to sync music, videos and pictures between their computer and device. Linux doesn’t have as wide a range of support for connectivity but users can download a software development kit which improves the systems connectivity abilities.
Security
On Mac OS X there are a number of functions that offer security for its users. Gatekeeper makes it safer to download and install apps. FileVault safeguards data using powerful encryption. Sandboxing protects your system by isolating apps from each other, as well as from your system and your data. Find My Mac helps you locate your missing Mac on a map, set a passcode remotely, and more. Customizable privacy settings keep your personal information under your control. Windows Defender and Windows SmartScreen can help guard users’ PC against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software in real time. Family Safety gives children some independence while parents can still monitor what they do. Users of Linux have lower-level privileges, meaning viruses have less ability to affect the whole computer. Because Linux is so diverse, it is harder for a virus to target a user as there are so many platforms and technologies. It is much more secure than Windows.
Reliability
Only with a Mac do you get a system built by the same people who make the OS, the applications, and the computer itself adding reliability to the operating system. Windows can be seen my many as unreliable as it often crashes/needs to be rebooted. Windows Vista was seen as Window’s most unreliable system, crashing often and slowing down machines. Windows 7 was soon released after. The majority of Linux variants and versions are notoriously reliable and can often run for months and years without needing to be rebooted
Ease of management
On Mac OS X, the operating system software and applications update automatically. Due to the popularity of Windows, people are very familiar with the way it works. It is fairly easy for everyone to use. Due to Linux being an open source, it is harder to manage as the user would need to know how to write programming to alter settings.
Associated utilities
Thanks to the built-in support for iCloud, whatever the user of Mac OS X does in apps such as iTunes, Mail and Contacts on their Mac happens on their other devices too. Windows is the most popular operating system and therefore has a much wider range of utilities. Linux is a Unix-derived OS. It offers a wide range of utilities available to download.
Cost
Mac OS X is completely free. The cost of Windows 8.1 in the UK is £99.99 (including VAT). Linux is free to download.
Machine and peripheral management
Users can connect cameras, printers, camcorders or phones to their Mac and start using them right away. This is because Mac OS X comes prepared with the drivers for most peripheral devices—just about any device that uses USB, FireWire, Ethernet, or Bluetooth. The Device Manager is a Control Panel applet in Microsoft Windows operating systems. It allows users to view and control the hardware attached to the computer. When a piece of hardware is not working, the offending hardware is highlighted for the user to deal with. The list of hardware can be sorted by various criteria. There is a smaller selection of peripheral hardware drivers (for printers, scanners, and other devices) in Linux though many new Linux hardware drivers are constantly being added.
File management
Mac OS X has ‘Spotlight’ and ‘the Finder’ which are both tools for finding and managing files. File Explorer (previously called Windows Explorer) helps users work with files and folders on OneDrive, PC and network. Windows 8.1 uses File explorer to help the uses to manage files and folders. Linux files are organised in a logical fashion for ease of administration. There are hundreds of directories that are located in larger containers called the file system. Linux uses codes to search through directories.
Stability
As Mac OS X is only available of Apple Mac computers, the system is only programed for those devices. Because the writers of the software also make the hardware, they work extremely well together making the OS very stable.
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