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Thread ID: 22537 2002-07-23 22:53:00 OS features and/or functions shockwave (1089) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
64683 2002-07-23 22:53:00 To those people that knows more than me:
I'd like to ask if someone out there that knows were to find the best site that talks about Operating System's functions and/or features. If you guys know(besides WIndows) were to find can you please add the link when you post your message. It would be also nice if a sample photo of a desktop of any OS to show to my class what it looks like. cheers.
shockwave (1089)
64684 2002-07-24 00:08:00 The problem is, the features and functions are not provided by the OS, but rather software written to run under that OS. For example, hardware needs drivers, which are software. Each piece of hardware needs a separate driver for each OS - a soundcard driver written for Linux will not run under windows. But you should know that.

On the other end of the scale, one reason why windows is so popular is the the fact that there is much more software available for it. The reason being that MSWindows was the first OS to have a GUI (debatable I know) and hence its popularity.

If you compare OSs that have a GUI, like BeOs (which is not being developed anymore but still popular - see cwww.bebits.com (http://www.bebits.com)),Linux and KDE etc, you will find that they all do pretty much the same thing: provide an interface between a human user and microprocessor.

There are exceptions, such as PalmOS which is specifically designed to run on certain hardware (eg Palms)

If you want to explore various operating systems, use the Google directory (directory.google.com).
Elwin Way (229)
64685 2002-07-24 02:46:00 And have a look at http://osnews.com mark c (247)
64686 2002-07-24 14:37:00 There are 1000s of sites out there what is best depends on what you are specifically looking for I personally find forums like this one helpful to expand one own knowledge also nice for new PC owners who need a little aid with problems that always occur with their Pcs ,
forums.about.com

www.cyberwalker.net

www.pcworld.com

www.aumha.org
kiwibeat (304)
64687 2002-07-24 23:38:00 Elwin - you may be? keen on MS Windows but - "the first GUI"!!! The first GUIs go back to the early 1970s - MS Windows never became a viable option until about 1993. The Apple Mac came out in 1984 and X-windows in 1986. Sorry - MS was way behind here. JohnD (509)
64688 2002-07-25 08:56:00 Xerox was the first GUI i think. -=JM=- (16)
64689 2002-07-25 14:04:00 Yep, fortunately the management saw more of a future in photocopiers :-). bmason (508)
64690 2002-07-25 23:45:00 > Elwin - you may be? keen on MS Windows but - "the
> first GUI"!!! The first GUIs go back to the early
> 1970s - MS Windows never became a viable option until
> about 1993. The Apple Mac came out in 1984 and
> X-windows in 1986. Sorry - MS was way behind here.

1- I'm not keen on MS Windows
2- I [i]did[/did] say "arguable" but I think for the purpose it would suffice.
3- I'm sure we are talking about PCs here, and current operating systems, not photocopiers...

:|
Elwin Way (229)
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