Types of operating systems
There are generally four types of operating systems, and they are categorised based on the types of computers they control and the types of applications they support. The categories are: real-time operating system; single-user, single task; single-user, multi-tasking; and multi-user.
Real-time operating systems (or RTOS) are used in order to control machinery, scientific instruments and industrial systems. Typically, an RTOS has very little user-interface capability and no end-user utilities, because the system will be a ‘sealed box’ when delivered for use. An important part of a real-time operating system is being able to manage the resources of a computer so that a particular operating can be executed in the same amount of time, every time it occurs. In complex machinery, having a part move quicker just because system resources are available may be just as bad as it not moving at all because the system is busy.
Single-user, single task is as the name implies. It is designed to manage the computer so that one user can do one thing at a time. A good example of a modern single-user, single-task operating system is the Palm OS for Palm handheld computers.
Single-user multi-tasking operating systems are what most people use on their desktop and laptop computers. Two examples of operating systems that allow a single user to have several programs operating at the same time are Microsoft’s Windows and Apple’s Mac OS platforms. As an example, it is possible for a Window’s user to write a note in Word whilst downloading a file from the Internet as well as printing the text of an e-mail message.
Multi-user operating systems allow many different users to take advantage of the computer’s resources at the same time. The OS makes sure that the user’s requirements are balanced and that each program has sufficient and separate resources – this is so that if a problem occurs, it doesn’t affect the entire community of users. Examples of multi-user operating systems are Unix, VMS and mainframe operating systems, such as MVS.
Purpose of an operating system
An operating system can do two things. Firstly, it can manage the hardware and software resources of the system. In desktop computers, these resources include things, such as: the processor, the memory, and the disk space. On a mobile phone, this includes the screen, the keypad, the address book, the phone dialler, the battery and the network connection. An operating system also provides a stable and consistent way for applications to ‘deal’ with the hardware, without having to know all of the details beforehand.
Managing the hardware and software resources is the first take an operating system must perform. This is very important, as various programs and input methods compete for the attention of the CPU (central processing unit) and also demand a number of things for their own purposes, such as memory, storage, and input/output (I/O) bandwidth. The operating system’s job is to ensure that each application gets the necessary resources whilst providing for all other applications, as well as looking after the limited capacity of the system to the greatest good of all the users and applications.
The second task is especially important if there is to be more than one of a particular type of computer using the operating system, if the hardware is ever open to change – providing a consistent application interface. A consistent application program interface allows the software developer to write an application on one computer with the confidence that it will run on another computer of the same type, regardless of the amount of memory/quantity of storage being different on each machine.
An operating system can ensure that applications continue to run when hardware upgrades and updates occur, even if a particular computer is unique. The operating system (not the application) is charged with managing the hardware and distribution of its resources, which is why it is able to do this. The challenges facing developers is keeping their operating systems as flexible as possible, enough to run hardware from the thousands of vendors manufacturing computer equipment. Operating systems today can accommodate thousands of different printers, disk drives, and special peripherals in any possible combination.
There are generally four types of operating systems, and they are categorised based on the types of computers they control and the types of applications they support. The categories are: real-time operating system; single-user, single task; single-user, multi-tasking; and multi-user.
Real-time operating systems (or RTOS) are used in order to control machinery, scientific instruments and industrial systems. Typically, an RTOS has very little user-interface capability and no end-user utilities, because the system will be a ‘sealed box’ when delivered for use. An important part of a real-time operating system is being able to manage the resources of a computer so that a particular operating can be executed in the same amount of time, every time it occurs. In complex machinery, having a part move quicker just because system resources are available may be just as bad as it not moving at all because the system is busy.
Single-user, single task is as the name implies. It is designed to manage the computer so that one user can do one thing at a time. A good example of a modern single-user, single-task operating system is the Palm OS for Palm handheld computers.
Single-user multi-tasking operating systems are what most people use on their desktop and laptop computers. Two examples of operating systems that allow a single user to have several programs operating at the same time are Microsoft’s Windows and Apple’s Mac OS platforms. As an example, it is possible for a Window’s user to write a note in Word whilst downloading a file from the Internet as well as printing the text of an e-mail message.
Multi-user operating systems allow many different users to take advantage of the computer’s resources at the same time. The OS makes sure that the user’s requirements are balanced and that each program has sufficient and separate resources – this is so that if a problem occurs, it doesn’t affect the entire community of users. Examples of multi-user operating systems are Unix, VMS and mainframe operating systems, such as MVS.
Purpose of an operating system
An operating system can do two things. Firstly, it can manage the hardware and software resources of the system. In desktop computers, these resources include things, such as: the processor, the memory, and the disk space. On a mobile phone, this includes the screen, the keypad, the address book, the phone dialler, the battery and the network connection. An operating system also provides a stable and consistent way for applications to ‘deal’ with the hardware, without having to know all of the details beforehand.
Managing the hardware and software resources is the first take an operating system must perform. This is very important, as various programs and input methods compete for the attention of the CPU (central processing unit) and also demand a number of things for their own purposes, such as memory, storage, and input/output (I/O) bandwidth. The operating system’s job is to ensure that each application gets the necessary resources whilst providing for all other applications, as well as looking after the limited capacity of the system to the greatest good of all the users and applications.
The second task is especially important if there is to be more than one of a particular type of computer using the operating system, if the hardware is ever open to change – providing a consistent application interface. A consistent application program interface allows the software developer to write an application on one computer with the confidence that it will run on another computer of the same type, regardless of the amount of memory/quantity of storage being different on each machine.
An operating system can ensure that applications continue to run when hardware upgrades and updates occur, even if a particular computer is unique. The operating system (not the application) is charged with managing the hardware and distribution of its resources, which is why it is able to do this. The challenges facing developers is keeping their operating systems as flexible as possible, enough to run hardware from the thousands of vendors manufacturing computer equipment. Operating systems today can accommodate thousands of different printers, disk drives, and special peripherals in any possible combination.
Comparison of market leaders:
In my opinion, the market leading operating systems are those that have been manufactured by Microsoft, Apple, Google and Linux. Windows Vista, Windows XP, Mac OS X, and Linux are of the most popular operating systems in the leading market.
Windows Vista
Windows Vista is a solid, hard-working operating system that will run whatever software you need, and it will do this with simplicity and grace. And, it doesn’t suffer from the world of woes that affects its competitors.
Interface, personalisation and extras
The interface is a good place to start to determine why Vista is a good operating system. Vista has straightforward elegance, featuring transparent windows that ‘whoosh’ in and out of place when minimised and maximised. However, if you don’t like the way that Vista works, you can change it.
From the transparency of windows down to almost every level of the operating system, there is a way to customise it. There is also plenty of free and cheap software to download for further tweaking if you want to.
Vista’s user interface is more than just appealing. Windows Flip 3D, which shows you all of your open windows in a 3D flipbook, is exceptionally useful. And so are the Live Thumbnails, which show small thumbnails of what’s happening in your minimised windows, including real-time video.
The integration of search into every level of the OS, including the Start menu and Windows Explorer, makes finding information easy and fast. All of your documents, files and communications are instantly indexed, and searching for them is just as quick. It also integrates with Microsoft Office applications, so that when you search in Outlook for e-mail, for example, you’re using the Vista search tool, and you get near instantaneous results.
Vista also includes some very appealing extras, such as gadgets for the Sidebar; the Sync Centre, which makes it easy to keep data on multiple PC’s in sync; and easy wireless networking.
Software
An operating system is worthless without software. It is most likely that running enterprise software wouldn’t work with Mac OS X or Linux. For games, Windows has more than Mac and Linux. The same holds true for many other kinds of software.
It’s true that for the moment, Windows XP is superior to Vista when it comes to software compatibility. However, this won’t last long. The best and newest software will be built for Vista, not XP.
Security
With its built-in firewall, anti-spyware and anti-phishing features, Windows Vista is far better than XP. Making it even more secure are its under-the-hood features, such as Windows Service Hardening, which stops malicious activity from taking place in the file system, the Registry and the network to which the PC is attached. Similarly, Network Access Protection (NAP) stops an infected computer from making a connection to a network, ensuring that it can’t infect other PC’s.
Much has been made of the fact that Windows has been subject to more attacks than Mac OS X or Linux. This is not necessary due to inherent Windows security problems, though. It’s simply because there are so many more copies of Windows in existence, so malware writers target it.
Competition
There is no doubt that Mac OS X is a very pretty operating system. But it also runs only on expensive, proprietary hardware, and it can’t run much common software, including enterprise applications and games.
Some people claim that virtualisation software like Parallels Desktop for Mac solves the problem, but it’s not true. Virtualisation software creates big problems for organisations with regard to volume licensing, technical support, creating standard enterprise-wide images and so on. And as for games, Parallels can’t run even the most basic Vista games, such as FreeCell, Hearts, Pinball, Solitaire and Minesweeper, because it doesn’t support DirectX 9.
As for Linux, you can’t expect to run your company’s enterprise software, much less mainstream software and games. And you must prepare to become very familiar with the confusing vagaries of the specific version of Linux you’ve installed.
Windows XP is cartoon-ish and gauche compared with Vista, plus it lacks Vista’s security, fit and polish, and extras. It’s also looking backward, rather than forward.
Conclusion
If you want a safe, modern operating system that will run the software you want on reasonably priced hardware, without requiring an advanced degree in computers, Windows Vista is the one for you.
Interface, personalisation and extras
The interface is a good place to start to determine why Vista is a good operating system. Vista has straightforward elegance, featuring transparent windows that ‘whoosh’ in and out of place when minimised and maximised. However, if you don’t like the way that Vista works, you can change it.
From the transparency of windows down to almost every level of the operating system, there is a way to customise it. There is also plenty of free and cheap software to download for further tweaking if you want to.
Vista’s user interface is more than just appealing. Windows Flip 3D, which shows you all of your open windows in a 3D flipbook, is exceptionally useful. And so are the Live Thumbnails, which show small thumbnails of what’s happening in your minimised windows, including real-time video.
The integration of search into every level of the OS, including the Start menu and Windows Explorer, makes finding information easy and fast. All of your documents, files and communications are instantly indexed, and searching for them is just as quick. It also integrates with Microsoft Office applications, so that when you search in Outlook for e-mail, for example, you’re using the Vista search tool, and you get near instantaneous results.
Vista also includes some very appealing extras, such as gadgets for the Sidebar; the Sync Centre, which makes it easy to keep data on multiple PC’s in sync; and easy wireless networking.
Software
An operating system is worthless without software. It is most likely that running enterprise software wouldn’t work with Mac OS X or Linux. For games, Windows has more than Mac and Linux. The same holds true for many other kinds of software.
It’s true that for the moment, Windows XP is superior to Vista when it comes to software compatibility. However, this won’t last long. The best and newest software will be built for Vista, not XP.
Security
With its built-in firewall, anti-spyware and anti-phishing features, Windows Vista is far better than XP. Making it even more secure are its under-the-hood features, such as Windows Service Hardening, which stops malicious activity from taking place in the file system, the Registry and the network to which the PC is attached. Similarly, Network Access Protection (NAP) stops an infected computer from making a connection to a network, ensuring that it can’t infect other PC’s.
Much has been made of the fact that Windows has been subject to more attacks than Mac OS X or Linux. This is not necessary due to inherent Windows security problems, though. It’s simply because there are so many more copies of Windows in existence, so malware writers target it.
Competition
There is no doubt that Mac OS X is a very pretty operating system. But it also runs only on expensive, proprietary hardware, and it can’t run much common software, including enterprise applications and games.
Some people claim that virtualisation software like Parallels Desktop for Mac solves the problem, but it’s not true. Virtualisation software creates big problems for organisations with regard to volume licensing, technical support, creating standard enterprise-wide images and so on. And as for games, Parallels can’t run even the most basic Vista games, such as FreeCell, Hearts, Pinball, Solitaire and Minesweeper, because it doesn’t support DirectX 9.
As for Linux, you can’t expect to run your company’s enterprise software, much less mainstream software and games. And you must prepare to become very familiar with the confusing vagaries of the specific version of Linux you’ve installed.
Windows XP is cartoon-ish and gauche compared with Vista, plus it lacks Vista’s security, fit and polish, and extras. It’s also looking backward, rather than forward.
Conclusion
If you want a safe, modern operating system that will run the software you want on reasonably priced hardware, without requiring an advanced degree in computers, Windows Vista is the one for you.
windows xp
Security
Security has always been the best criticism of Microsoft operating systems in general, but Service Pack 2 vastly improved the safety of XP, with better network protection, memory protection, improved e-mail security and safer browsing. And, if/when Mac OS and Linux gain enough market share, they will only become relevant to get the full attention of hackers, so they won’t ever properly be 'safer'.
Features
Of course, Microsoft will eventually force the migration to Vista. But for right now, you will get several Vista features, such as Network Access Protection, in the upcoming XP Service Pack 3. Other Vista components available for XP include Media Centre, Internet Explorer 7, Media Player 11 and Windows Defender. There are also plenty of sites that tell you how to get or at least simulate other Vista features in XP.
Competition
The Mac OS X is okay, but as with most things from the Apple tree, it seems to be more about style than substance. It’s nice to have the icons grow when you hover your cursor over them, however, all of the icons are targeted at those with a love of Apple products – iTunes, iPhoto, iDVD, etc. The proprietary software/hardware marriage, the higher the cost and the extra training needed all detract from the Mac’s allure.
As for Linux, it’s getting better – however, there are too many packages, ISO’s, GNU’s, Gnomes, awks, GREP’s, flavours, kernels, KDE’s, licenses and modules. In other words, some may find it too ‘tech-y’.
Conclusion
A lot of people just want an operating system that is practical, in order to do their work. They don’t want to think about the operating system; it should be anonymous, much like XP. And it provides all the features needed in an environment that is completely familiar and easy to use.
Security has always been the best criticism of Microsoft operating systems in general, but Service Pack 2 vastly improved the safety of XP, with better network protection, memory protection, improved e-mail security and safer browsing. And, if/when Mac OS and Linux gain enough market share, they will only become relevant to get the full attention of hackers, so they won’t ever properly be 'safer'.
Features
Of course, Microsoft will eventually force the migration to Vista. But for right now, you will get several Vista features, such as Network Access Protection, in the upcoming XP Service Pack 3. Other Vista components available for XP include Media Centre, Internet Explorer 7, Media Player 11 and Windows Defender. There are also plenty of sites that tell you how to get or at least simulate other Vista features in XP.
Competition
The Mac OS X is okay, but as with most things from the Apple tree, it seems to be more about style than substance. It’s nice to have the icons grow when you hover your cursor over them, however, all of the icons are targeted at those with a love of Apple products – iTunes, iPhoto, iDVD, etc. The proprietary software/hardware marriage, the higher the cost and the extra training needed all detract from the Mac’s allure.
As for Linux, it’s getting better – however, there are too many packages, ISO’s, GNU’s, Gnomes, awks, GREP’s, flavours, kernels, KDE’s, licenses and modules. In other words, some may find it too ‘tech-y’.
Conclusion
A lot of people just want an operating system that is practical, in order to do their work. They don’t want to think about the operating system; it should be anonymous, much like XP. And it provides all the features needed in an environment that is completely familiar and easy to use.
mac os
If you want a simple-to-use computer that can run virtually any application you need on stylish hardware that gives you easy online access and instant connectivity to all types of satellite devices, you can purchase Macintosh.
Software/hardware ecosystem
When it comes to integration, no other operating system can boast the unity of purpose and results that exist on the Mac platform. While the competition is busy changing feature after feature, Apple focus on what they think is important: creating a software/hardware ecosystem that gets out of the way so you can do what you bought the computer to do – work, make movies, build websites, communicate or crunch data. This is what Apple believe add up when using Windows.
With Windows, users get an operating system that comes in six different versions, all of them with driver issues. Many older PC’s can’t handle the operating system and even a lot of the newer ‘Vista Capable’ machines may not be so capable after all.
The kind of integration with Mac’s isn’t possible with Windows, never mind Linux. When software and hardware engineering and design are divided up among multiple companies and communities, each with its own agenda, complete hardware/software unification is not a realistic expectation.
Ease of use
The operating system is what binds the hardware. For example, Leopard easily leads in terms of security, ease of installation, maintenance and integration of applications, with minimal instructions that Apple doesn’t bother with full manuals.
A few Mac OS X advantages are: drag-and-drop application installs; notifications written in real English and not Greek-English; One-click, set-and-forget automatic backups that people actually use; the ability to peer inside files without having to launch an application; technical support that doesn’t involve being moved between different companies; inherent security with no real-word exploits, despite warnings every year; and a clean and consistent look throughout the operating system and applications.
Run any application in the world
Other operating systems have their strengths. Windows is ubiquitous (it isn’t going anywhere soon). And the collective of developers working to make Linux better is impressive. However, Apple’s switch to the Intel architecture, along with today’s impressive virtualisation software, means that Mac can now run those other operating systems, at full speed. This gives you access to software across three platforms, letting you work and play without blocking yourself off from the rest of the computer world.
All Macs can run Windows and, consequently, all of the software that runs on windows - all versions at once, if you wanted to. Also, Leopard is a certified Unix product. Mac OS X is the only operating system that can run all mainstream Windows and ‘*nix’-based operating systems – and host ‘*nix’ software natively – with few of the usual security risks.
Security
Along with the famed user interface, one of the keys to the success of Mac OS X is the lack of malware, spyware and self-propagating viruses. The reasons can be debated – whether it’s the security inherent to the modern BSD underpinnings of Apple’s code or the ‘security by obscurity’ theory – but Macs are not susceptible to the problems that have always plagued Windows PC’s.
Conclusion
If you want more from your computer, Apple capitalises on its unique position as sole operating system designer, application developer, hardware engineer and media distributor, offering a seamless experience across its entire slate of product lines and services.
Software/hardware ecosystem
When it comes to integration, no other operating system can boast the unity of purpose and results that exist on the Mac platform. While the competition is busy changing feature after feature, Apple focus on what they think is important: creating a software/hardware ecosystem that gets out of the way so you can do what you bought the computer to do – work, make movies, build websites, communicate or crunch data. This is what Apple believe add up when using Windows.
With Windows, users get an operating system that comes in six different versions, all of them with driver issues. Many older PC’s can’t handle the operating system and even a lot of the newer ‘Vista Capable’ machines may not be so capable after all.
The kind of integration with Mac’s isn’t possible with Windows, never mind Linux. When software and hardware engineering and design are divided up among multiple companies and communities, each with its own agenda, complete hardware/software unification is not a realistic expectation.
Ease of use
The operating system is what binds the hardware. For example, Leopard easily leads in terms of security, ease of installation, maintenance and integration of applications, with minimal instructions that Apple doesn’t bother with full manuals.
A few Mac OS X advantages are: drag-and-drop application installs; notifications written in real English and not Greek-English; One-click, set-and-forget automatic backups that people actually use; the ability to peer inside files without having to launch an application; technical support that doesn’t involve being moved between different companies; inherent security with no real-word exploits, despite warnings every year; and a clean and consistent look throughout the operating system and applications.
Run any application in the world
Other operating systems have their strengths. Windows is ubiquitous (it isn’t going anywhere soon). And the collective of developers working to make Linux better is impressive. However, Apple’s switch to the Intel architecture, along with today’s impressive virtualisation software, means that Mac can now run those other operating systems, at full speed. This gives you access to software across three platforms, letting you work and play without blocking yourself off from the rest of the computer world.
All Macs can run Windows and, consequently, all of the software that runs on windows - all versions at once, if you wanted to. Also, Leopard is a certified Unix product. Mac OS X is the only operating system that can run all mainstream Windows and ‘*nix’-based operating systems – and host ‘*nix’ software natively – with few of the usual security risks.
Security
Along with the famed user interface, one of the keys to the success of Mac OS X is the lack of malware, spyware and self-propagating viruses. The reasons can be debated – whether it’s the security inherent to the modern BSD underpinnings of Apple’s code or the ‘security by obscurity’ theory – but Macs are not susceptible to the problems that have always plagued Windows PC’s.
Conclusion
If you want more from your computer, Apple capitalises on its unique position as sole operating system designer, application developer, hardware engineer and media distributor, offering a seamless experience across its entire slate of product lines and services.
linux
Unlike Mac OS and Windows, Linux is free and open to development by those who are motivated by the desire to improve technology. With the exception of Linux’s ‘sister’ BSD, it is the lightest operating system you could install on your computer. While the minimum required hardware for Windows has been bloating, and Macs need more and more power to run OS X, you can still use Linux without problems.
Stability, security, transparency, flexibility
Not only is Linux small, but it is also stable. Linux has all the installation data and libraries in files, where you can see them. You can see what changes and make edits manually, without having to figure out which registry entry is the one you want. Also, the system-configuration tools have graphical user interfaces (GUI) that generate readable and editable files.
Computers running Mac OS X and Windows Vista are known to have been hacked in ‘Pwn 2 Own’ competitions, whereas the Linux machine hasn’t. It’s not that Linux has no security or virus problems, however there are far less Linux viruses than Windows, and there are fairly bulletproof ways to detect viruses under Linux by using checksums on
files.
Conversely, it is much easier to move your Linux system to new hardware or clone an existing system because there is no licensing. There’s practically no way to do this on either a Windows or a Mac system.
You also have your choice of Linux distributions, from ‘geek-friendly’ Debian and ‘end-user-friendly’ Ubuntu, to ‘business-friendly’ Red Hat and Novell SUSE. And, no matter which one you pick, they all run the same applications.
Applications and interface
It used to be known that the problem with Linux was the desktop applications. However, with tools such as Wine, CrossOver Linux and VMWare Player, many Windows applications run perfectly fine under Linux now. And, in some cases, native Linux applications may serve you just as well. For example, OpenOffice is a mature replacement for Microsoft Office, and there are good (and free) tools for video and photo editing, audio editing and many other common applications.
More importantly, more and more applications are transitioning to Web-based versions using JavaScript or Flash/Silverlight/Flex/Air. So, if you can’t run certain applications on Linux, you can more than likely use Web-based applications right from your browser.
The Linux desktop experience is now the match of any other desktop GUI in existence. The user interface is intuitive and clean, but still powerful. If you choose a user-friendly distribution like Ubuntu, installing Linux is as easy as installing Windows – and unlike Windows, you can try the system before you buy it, such distributions such as Ubuntu have a ‘live’ install CD/DVD.
You can even run a full Linux distribution, such as DSL from a 128MB (or larger) USB drive. So, if your Windows PC crashed, you can plug in the USB drive and you’ve got access to everything again. Most Linux distributions will even shrink a Windows partition and set up dual-booting automatically.
Conclusion
Linux is free, fast, small, powerful, stable and flexible. It will get you off the ‘new hardware every year’ life cycle and let you concentrate on being productive, rather than having to cater for your OS’s needs. You almost certainly already have Linux in your home or business, even if you don’t know it.
Stability, security, transparency, flexibility
Not only is Linux small, but it is also stable. Linux has all the installation data and libraries in files, where you can see them. You can see what changes and make edits manually, without having to figure out which registry entry is the one you want. Also, the system-configuration tools have graphical user interfaces (GUI) that generate readable and editable files.
Computers running Mac OS X and Windows Vista are known to have been hacked in ‘Pwn 2 Own’ competitions, whereas the Linux machine hasn’t. It’s not that Linux has no security or virus problems, however there are far less Linux viruses than Windows, and there are fairly bulletproof ways to detect viruses under Linux by using checksums on
files.
Conversely, it is much easier to move your Linux system to new hardware or clone an existing system because there is no licensing. There’s practically no way to do this on either a Windows or a Mac system.
You also have your choice of Linux distributions, from ‘geek-friendly’ Debian and ‘end-user-friendly’ Ubuntu, to ‘business-friendly’ Red Hat and Novell SUSE. And, no matter which one you pick, they all run the same applications.
Applications and interface
It used to be known that the problem with Linux was the desktop applications. However, with tools such as Wine, CrossOver Linux and VMWare Player, many Windows applications run perfectly fine under Linux now. And, in some cases, native Linux applications may serve you just as well. For example, OpenOffice is a mature replacement for Microsoft Office, and there are good (and free) tools for video and photo editing, audio editing and many other common applications.
More importantly, more and more applications are transitioning to Web-based versions using JavaScript or Flash/Silverlight/Flex/Air. So, if you can’t run certain applications on Linux, you can more than likely use Web-based applications right from your browser.
The Linux desktop experience is now the match of any other desktop GUI in existence. The user interface is intuitive and clean, but still powerful. If you choose a user-friendly distribution like Ubuntu, installing Linux is as easy as installing Windows – and unlike Windows, you can try the system before you buy it, such distributions such as Ubuntu have a ‘live’ install CD/DVD.
You can even run a full Linux distribution, such as DSL from a 128MB (or larger) USB drive. So, if your Windows PC crashed, you can plug in the USB drive and you’ve got access to everything again. Most Linux distributions will even shrink a Windows partition and set up dual-booting automatically.
Conclusion
Linux is free, fast, small, powerful, stable and flexible. It will get you off the ‘new hardware every year’ life cycle and let you concentrate on being productive, rather than having to cater for your OS’s needs. You almost certainly already have Linux in your home or business, even if you don’t know it.
android
The world is contracting with the growth of mobile phone technology. As the number of users is increasing day by day, facilities are also increasing. Starting with the simple regular handsets that were used just for making phone calls, mobiles have changed our lives and become part of it. Now they are not used just for making calls but they have innumerable uses and can be used as a camera, music player, tablet PC, television, web browser, etc. And with the new technologies, new software and operating systems are required.
Operating systems have developed a lot in the last 15 years. Starting from black and white phones to recent smart phones or miniature computers, mobile operating systems have come a long way. Especially for smart phones, mobile OS has greatly evolved from Palm OS in 1996 to Windows pocket PC in 2000, then to Blackberry OS and Android.
One of the most widely used mobile OS these days is Android. Android is software, comprising not only an operating system but also middleware and key applications.
Android has many features that are of significance to developers and users alike. Some of which are: an application framework that enables re-use and replacement of components; optimised graphics that are powered by a customised 2D graphics library and 3D graphics based on the OpenGL ES 1.0 specification; media support for common video, audio, and still image formats (for example, MP3, JPG, PNG, GIF); provision of Bluetooth, EDGE, 3G and Wi-Fi; SQLite for structured data storage; open source WebKit engine-based integrated web browser; camera, GPS, compass and accelerometer (dependant on hardware support); GSM Telephony; Dalvik virtual machine optimised for mobile devices; rich development environment that includes a device emulator, debugging tools, performance and memory profiling and an Eclipse IDE plug in.
Google Android will be available with a host of features that includes a web browser, email client, calendar, contact, SMS feature, maps and others. All the Google Android applications are written in Java and run on Dalvik virtual machine, which itself functions on top of a Linux kernel.
Android's features mean that developers can get complete access to the identical framework API’s as used by the core applications. Besides this, the app architecture is designed so as to make the re-use of components simpler and the capabilities of any application can be published and used by any other app, subject to relevant security constraints. The users can also replace the components using the same mechanism.
The fully integrated Android package comprising an OS, middleware, applications and user-friendly interface is expected to considerably speed up product development while lowering the cost of mobile services development.
Operating systems have developed a lot in the last 15 years. Starting from black and white phones to recent smart phones or miniature computers, mobile operating systems have come a long way. Especially for smart phones, mobile OS has greatly evolved from Palm OS in 1996 to Windows pocket PC in 2000, then to Blackberry OS and Android.
One of the most widely used mobile OS these days is Android. Android is software, comprising not only an operating system but also middleware and key applications.
Android has many features that are of significance to developers and users alike. Some of which are: an application framework that enables re-use and replacement of components; optimised graphics that are powered by a customised 2D graphics library and 3D graphics based on the OpenGL ES 1.0 specification; media support for common video, audio, and still image formats (for example, MP3, JPG, PNG, GIF); provision of Bluetooth, EDGE, 3G and Wi-Fi; SQLite for structured data storage; open source WebKit engine-based integrated web browser; camera, GPS, compass and accelerometer (dependant on hardware support); GSM Telephony; Dalvik virtual machine optimised for mobile devices; rich development environment that includes a device emulator, debugging tools, performance and memory profiling and an Eclipse IDE plug in.
Google Android will be available with a host of features that includes a web browser, email client, calendar, contact, SMS feature, maps and others. All the Google Android applications are written in Java and run on Dalvik virtual machine, which itself functions on top of a Linux kernel.
Android's features mean that developers can get complete access to the identical framework API’s as used by the core applications. Besides this, the app architecture is designed so as to make the re-use of components simpler and the capabilities of any application can be published and used by any other app, subject to relevant security constraints. The users can also replace the components using the same mechanism.
The fully integrated Android package comprising an OS, middleware, applications and user-friendly interface is expected to considerably speed up product development while lowering the cost of mobile services development.