P2
Task 2: P2
Operating Systems
Operating systems are the systems of which that allow you to work a computer and what let you use and see what you see on screen. There are various kinds or operating systems:
Microsoft Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
The Operating System manages computer hardware resources and serves as software that allows you to access other applications.
Machine and peripheral management
The windows operating system has a control panel which allows control inside and outside the system. The control panel manages things like user accounts, security (firewall and security centre), program access and defaults and applications. There are also administrative tools that are used for restoring the system, defragging the system, resetting the system back to factory condition, installing and uninstalling Windows.
Security
Securities on an operating system take for example Avast Antivirus. Avast is an anti-virus, anti-malware application which stops your computer from being hacked or damaged. Microsoft Windows have their own anti-virus software called Microsoft Essentials which is free and does all the same as to scan the computer to look for damaged files and to protect against malware and viruses. It is a new manufacturer trend for an operating system to have downloaded antivirus software on it in a new state. An operating system also has security features like setting passwords for login and passwords for access to specific files so that only the user may use them and gain access to them. There is also a firewall on the Windows operating system which filters which websites are safe - The Mac operating system however doesn't have any viruses for it . There is a security centre on Microsoft Windows XP which moniters the essential security settings and warns the user when the computer may be at risk. The windows operating system also has features which allow a heirachy for user's e.g. Admin, User 1, User 2, etc... The admin would be able to set program defaults and what the users can and cant use.
File Management
Operating Systems not only work as a basis for the user of the computer to use the software but an operating system allows you to create files to store work and data in an orderly fashion. E.g. A folder named ‘Animals’ and within that folder could be branch folders named ‘Birds’, ‘Wild Cats’, ‘Amphibians’, etc… This kind of management allows easy access to a user’s data and allows them to know what is what and where.
Device drivers
Within a working operating system, a device driver allows more advanced programs to run at best and interact with the hardware device e.g. A new graphics card may need a device driver for it to sync/interact with it to allow it to work at best.

