In this article I’m going to help you finally make sense of what for most people is one of the most confusing and least understood basic computer terms around: “operating system”, or “OS”.
This is actually a pretty easy idea to get when it’s explained right.
Now what is an operating system, or OS? First off, it’s is a type of software. To recap my explanation from my last newsletter article:
“Software” is all of the parts of the computer that you can’t really see or touch. Software would include things like Microsoft Word, your email program, Windows or the Mac OS, plus all of your personal files like letters, photos, music, and more.
One way to think about it is like this: hardware is like your brain, the physical part of your body, while software is like your mind or your thoughts — the non-physical part of yourself.
Software runs on hardware, just like your thoughts “run on” your brain.
Make sense? So let’s get to the OS specifically…
Posted by announcer in Computers, General, Reference
A Good Source of Basic Computer Free Audio Instructions
... be a challenge at the best of times; you have to find a teacher in your area who actually knows how to explain things in an easy way, and then shell out a lot of your hard earned cash to get good basic computer instructions. Everybody knows repetition builds skill, but how can you afford to pay for someone to visit you over and over, or to go out of your way and take up your valuable free time driving off to computer classes? If you've ever wondered if there's a good source of basic computer audio and video instructions that you can use to learn at home, maybe even for free, then 2008 offers you more opportunity than ever before. It's possible to get basic computer free audio instructions on the Internet. Since you're no longer forced to look in your area for a good teacher, the opportunity for basic...
Basic Computer Tip Newsletter Article: What is RAM
... get work done, which gets emptied when the computer is turned off. Think of it like a work bench or table. You have a project you're working on and you do your project on the bench and when you're done, you clear it off. The hard drive is the main place your computer uses to store information. It looks like a rectangular metal box which contains a non-removable disk (as opposed to something like a CD Drive where you can take the disk out). It is the disk inside the drive which stores everything on your computer -- every picture, every music file, every email, and every Word document. Not only that, but Basic Computer Terms Explained: What is an Operating System Windows or Mac OS X, the operating system that makes the computer run. To continue our analogy, think of it as a set of shelves where you store the tools or materials for your project -- when you want to work on something you choose the things you need from the shelves, put them on the bench and work on the...
Computer School
In addition to basic software training, online computer networking curriculums usually involve in-depth studies of computer network engineering, network support and administration, program design, and information security (from major technology organizations). They also teach students about network authentication applications and operating systems, software tools, the technical aspects of computers and PCs, and numerous other relevant subjects. It is always advisable to take into consideration a lot of things before joining any Basic Computer Terms Explained: What is an Operating System computer gaming design school. More on computer school and school computer lab
A Simple Secret To Improving Your Basic Computer Skills (or If You Dig Yourself a Hole, Bring a Ladder)
Once upon a time, many years ago, I didn't know a thing about computers. People who know me, and especially my clients, often have trouble believing this since I've been giving computer lessons professionally for so many years. But it's true; I wasn't born with some built-in ability to use computers. I started off as a complete novice, and had to learn basic computer skills as I went along. In this article I'm going to explain something that I was very lucky to figure out on my own, way back when, that helped blast my computer skills into the stratosphere compared to where I started.
software. Some people would say that the best way to prevent boot sector virus removal is to switch operating systems away from Microsoft Windows. Personally I find this sort of advice quite alarmist. They argue that Windows is the only system which Basic Computer Terms Explained: What is an Operating System is commonly infected by viruses. They strike macs and linux machines, almost never at all. This is because windows is badly programmed. If, for example, you get an email with an attachment, it is designed to automatically open the attachment and to follow its instructions even if they put your computer in danger! Mac OS and Linux both have safeguard built in to protect you from these problems, but they claim Microsoft doesn't care about anything except about whether or not their system looks pretty and they are making money. Boot sector virus removal isn't the only protection you might need on your computer. You need spyware removal as well. Spyware is a little like viruses, but much less harmful. When you visit certain websites with spam, they will put a...
Training For Microsoft Certification
Network+ Basic Computer Terms Explained: What is an Operating System certification is designed for network technicians to test and demonstrates skill and understanding of network hardware, installation, and troubleshooting in general. Network+ certification is not vendor specific. Besides Network+ certification, network technicians further acquire vendor specific certification, such as to Microsoft certifications and Cisco certifications. It is primarily designed for qualification of a computer technician though many organization utilize the A+ certification training to help their employee to acquire the basic knowledge of computer hardware and operating systems. More on microsoft certifications and microsoft certification training
Data Recovery : Protect Your Data
... and click Restore or drag it to your desired location for data recovery. Hard disk failure oftentimes causes the operating system (OS) not to boot. Hard disk recovery is similar to any type of recovery but should not be attempted if the problem in the system is not known. Basic Computer Terms Explained: What is an Operating System If noises can be heard from your computer, immediately shut it down and unplug it. Data recovery is not possible if mechanical problems are ignored and allowed to cause more havoc to your system. If all else fails, data recovery software or a hard disk recovery service may be your best option. In this day and age, where everything we do rely on computers it is not sound to disregard potential threats that could damage computers and forced you to attempt data recovery. Data recovery should be the last recourse. But one may not...
Learning online With Computer Software
One of the most exciting areas of expansion has to be in the area of reference materials and resource tools. Basic Computer Terms Explained: What is an Operating System With the internet, information and reference material can be accessed in an instant from a myriad of sources. In fact, if there is a problem at all it might be with the amount of information that is available.....read more at Computer Software In Education
GPS Tracking, Explained!
... pets: * GPS Pet Tracker X5000 by Micro Basic Computer Terms Explained: What is an Operating System Tech - This device is now marketed to the owners of dogs and cats, not only in the US but in many other parts of the world. According to its proponents, this unit sends its location information over the GSM cellular network and will send SMS messages to three phone numbers at intervals of two to 120 minutes. Also, the user can call the tracker to obtain the information. * Pointer Dog-GPS by Pointer Positioning Solutions - This device is made primarily for hunting. It consists of two devices, the sender and the hunter's map. The Sender is placed on the dog's harness, while the hunter's map is for the dog owner. The hunter's map has a GPS so the hunter can see his or her position on the map screen, as well as the position of the dog. The hunter can even listen to what's going on at the dog's location. GPS for...
Learn Basic Spanish Online
If you have a busy schedule and lifestyle but want to learn basic Spanish online, I recommend you check out Rocket Spanish. Rocket Spanish is an online Spanish language course that will teach you how to write and speak Spanish in less than 3 months. It is perfect for people who wants to learn basic Spanish online but couldn’t Basic Computer Terms Explained: What is an Operating System afford the time to go a classroom or Spanish course. You can take the course at your own pace at anytime and anywhere in the world as long as there is an internet connection. Alternatively, you can download everything onto your computer and bring it wherever you go. It is a great way to learn Spanish especially for busy business people and executives.
Learn Basic Spanish Online
Learning basic Spanish online can be fun and easy. It does not have to be difficult. There are dozens of Spanish courses Basic Computer Terms Explained: What is an Operating System online that you can take depending on your language level. One of the best Spanish language I have used is Rocket Spanish by Mauricio Evlampieff. Rocket Spanish consists of both audio and videos to allow you to learn Spanish faster. They also incorporate a simple computer game to teach you Spanish as well as a private member forum where you can ask the staff any question regarding Rocket Spanish. Using rocket Spanish, I was able to speak and write Spanish in only 3 months. So if you want to learn basic Spanish online, check out Rocket Spanish.
Easy To Use Global Positioning System
down. The one I was more interested in was the global positioning navigation system. I was familiar with MapQuest and other online map programs like that, so the interface was not strange to me. The global positioning system pops up a map on the Basic Computer Terms Explained: What is an Operating System small screen. You put in a destination on the map, and it calculates a route there. You get directions every stop step away. You do not even have to look at the map, the instructions are given aloud. I was surprised by how easy it was to follow. I tried getting directions to some local sites and, although it didn't send me on my favorite route, it did plot a logical way to get there. All-in-all, it was quite an impressive demonstration, And I was glad to be able to try it out firsthand. Read Full Article...
Windows XP Registry Cleaner
One of the most common problems home users have is their PC starts to become slow after using for a period of time. Most often, it is due to the registry. There are often many orphan links and settings set from programs that are deleted by users. There are also temp settings that need to be cleaned periodically in the windows registry. A windows xp registry cleaner such as registry fix can do the job easily and your computer will be as brand new and fast as you first brought it. I will not advise you to change and edit the registry settings directly. If you change the wrong settings, you could disable the operating system making it unable to boot up. Plus, there are thousands of entries in the registry and it isn’t easy to know which is needed and which aren’t. I recommend a windows xp registry cleaner software as such as registry fix to do this job.
Looney Tunes Wallpaper
... do a babysitting job for my Basic Computer Terms Explained: What is an Operating System mother's neighbors. It also keeps me from worrying about what she is doing while I am at work. My mother wants to make sure that her granddaughter is happy and that she enjoys the room that she will be sleeping in for the summer. My mother over heard my daughter talking to her friend about wanting to get looney tunes wallpaper. My mother knew that I had decorated my daughter's nursery in looney tunes wallpaper, so she thought my daughter wanted her room decorated this way again. My mother loves to surprise people so she went out and purchased looney tunes wallpaper and had a friend help her hang it in the bedroom my daughter would be using for the summer. She went with the complete theme of a looney tunes wallpaper border as well as sheets and comforter. She was so proud of the room when she threw opened the door for my daughter and I to see....
Data Recovery
... who have not experienced data recovery problems. In many computer services nowadays, data recovery is not really the common case. All you need to do, if this case happens to you, is to contact your data recovery specialist to avoid further damages. But what exactly is data loss and data recovery is? For the masses who have not informed with these weird terms, data loss are actually distinguished by the accidental deletion of files; accidental re-forming of partitions; hard disk crash of hard disk component failure; sudden inability to open data from a prior functioning computer system or backup; and so on and so forth. Basic Computer Terms Explained: What is an Operating System These symptoms are usually accompanied by some of the other symptoms if not immediately healed. In terms of data recovery, it is actually the act of saving data stored on damaged medium,...