Unit 2 – Task 2
Section 1 – Operating systems
In this section I will talk about operating systems, what they are and what are the main functions


Operating system allows for data exchange between user and computer by setting every piece of hardware and software to work together. Operating systems install drivers allowing to read data of a certain device and use it properly. Every OS has its own unique look, interface and functions. Operating systems allow to install programs if they are based on the same OS as installed. New operating systems are GUI based, and have interface, allowing to click, move open and close things at once, while older OS are command line based and allow to browse computer using text only. Operating systems such as Windows also allow to access hardware directly, giving user functions such as disk defragmentation, changing fan speed and setting clock speed. Some operating systems have smaller driver database and in order to use certain devices, drivers need to be installed manually. Different operating systems have different purposes. Some are believed to be used mostly for server computers while others are more designed for office work.
List of main Operating System functions:
Device Drivers – In order to use a device, operating system first needs to know how to communicate with a device. In order to do that, device drivers need to be installed. Most operating system have some sort of a database of device drivers. Windows for example, has a massive one, most devices are ready to be used within seconds. This is also knows as 'plug and play'. Most operating systems also allow to manage device drivers in different ways. Some for example, allow to roll device drivers back, or automatically search for updates as well as read version and date of drivers. Device drivers are usually made specifically for an operating systems. For example, Ubuntu based drivers might not especially work on Windows.
Memory Management – Some operating systems have built in memory management capabilities. This means that user can control what is currently using computer memory also known as RAM. Some operating systems have built in manager that allows to search tasks, find locations as well as stop and kill them. It is important to keep an eye on memory as running too many tasks can just stop the computer from working as there will be not enough memory to keep system running. System itself and tasks can also be found as they require a bit of memory as well.
Disk management – Operating systems can have different disk management functions. Most common one is disk defragmentation. When files are saved, they are randomly placed around the disk. This decreases performance as when browsing, OS needs to access many different places. In order to increase performance, disk defrag is used, putting all the files close together, meaning there is less to look around. Some operating systems offer more, for example, disk clean up. Most allow to partition disk, creating separate regions, for example for OS, personal files and important documents. There are many more functions such as renaming a partition and compressing files to save up space.
File management – Every operating systems has its own GUI that includes easy file management. Most operating systems use folders. Folders can be created inside others so that files can be sorted efficiently. For example, user can have two folders, one called pictures and one documents. Inside those, there can be other folders such as pictures 2013 and pictures 2014. Files and folders also have their own icon to make browsing even easier. On top of that, every operating system allow to edit those by for example, changing icon or renaming a file or a folder. All this can be done quickly and easily. There are many more functions that make it easy, for example everything inside a folder can be sorted by date of creation or alphabetically. View can also be changed from big tiles to small tiles  or just text.
Peripheral management – Operating systems have some sort of peripheral management. Windows for example, has built in device manager where devices can be viewed, uninstalled as well as checked for driver updates. Device manager is really detailed when it comes to peripheral management. There are other functions in some operating systems, for example allowing OS to control device so that it saves some power.
Account management – Every operating system has some sort of account management. Windows for example, lets you chose user before desktop can be accessed. Different users have their own privileges, files and desktop. User accounts can be edited only by themselves or administrator account. Password can be changed at any time as well as username and even icon. Creating an user account is especially useful when multiple people are using a single computer and administrator doesn't want them to access either windows files or certain folders. This also prevents unauthorised access to windows options such as formatting.
Security:
Firewalls – Some operating systems, for example windows, have built in firewall. It controls the incoming and outgoing network traffic based on applied rule set. Firewall creates a barrier  between a trusted network and another network, not assumed to be trusted.
Anti virus – Some operating systems give user an option to install a free anti virus when bought. However, most do not actually have a built in anti virus. Most require one to be manually installed. However, windows for example, alerts user when one is not installed and recommends to do so. Some anti virus software can be downloaded for free.
Password – Every operating system allows to set password for certain things. Windows for example, lets user set password to literally anything. Folders, files and even the system itself can be set to only be available to those who know the password. Passwords are important to prevent unauthorised access, for example in office with many users accessing one computer, or when sensitive data is stored on it.
Section 2 – Comparison of operating systems
In this section I will compare 3 operating systems and how they deal with different functions.
Device drivers – Windows
Windows has a function called 'plug and play'. This means that most devices, which are supported by it, will automatically be updated with newest drivers. In windows, updating drivers can also be done though device manager in devices driver section. However, this requires an internet connection. In case user has no access to internet, or no ethernet drivers installed, drivers need to be installed from a manufacturer disk that comes with device or downloaded on a different computer with internet access and moved using a disk or a memory stick. Not every device is supported by windows. Some, more rare ones, might require same procedure.

Device drivers – Ubuntu
Similarly to windows, Ubuntu install drivers automatically. However, for proprietary devices, special procedure is required as Ubuntu does not automatically update/install drivers for those. In order to install those, user needs to access system setting and go into Additional drivers. The menu that pops up shows all proprietary devices and available drivers. After applying changes devices also needs to be activated and to do that, administrator password is required. In case drivers are not found, or device is not recognised, drivers needs to be installed off website or manufacturer disk. Drivers need to be made specifically for Ubuntu.

Device drivers – OS X
Mac computers usually include specific hardware that is supported by the operating systems such as OS X. Updating various drivers can be done using “system update” which automatically asks user to update drivers once new ones are found. All drivers are usually included with the system. Drivers that user needs to download must be made specifically for OS X systems. A lot of devices don't support OS X therefore users should buy devices that clearly state they support OS X. These should be installed correctly by the operating system itself.

Memory management – Windows
Windows allows for in depth memory management. It has a built in task manager which lets user see what processes are currently using system memory. It also allows user to search for process locations, stop, stop everything to do with this process and even set priority. Properties menu gives user a lot of choice, what to do with selected process. For example running process with compatibility of older windows systems.

Memory management – Ubuntu
Ubuntu, similarly to windows, has a built in memory management functions. In this case, it's called 'system monitor'. There aren't as many functions however, it still allows to end processes, shows amount of memory consumed and gives status on it.  It also shows how much CPU is consumed by the process.

Memory management – OS X
OS X has a built in activity monitor. It is very details and has a lot of useful functions and information about processes. It lets user stop and force stop tasks, gives a lot of details on memory such as free, wired, active, inactive and used and shows user CPU consumed and threads. Activity manager even lets user search processes through filter and has a lot more tabs, for example disk usage.

Disk management – Windows
In windows, managing disk can be done using 'computer management'. Here, disk can be partitioned, renamed and chosen letter for. It is very detailed and has a lot of useful functions, however isn't as user friendly and requires a bit of knowledge, otherwise something can easily be broken. Disk management is also available by accessing properties of selected partition, for example disk C. Here, user can defragment a disk, putting files closer together and do a quick clean up. All this is done automatically by the OS.


Disk management – Ubuntu
Ubuntu comes with something called Gnome Disk utility. This is a very simple tool for partitioning hard drives and performing some more tasks.  Unlike in windows, this one isn't as detailed. It doesn't have built in defragment functions or clean up neither. To perform those, a separate app is required called Gparted. This one allows for as in depth management as windows' 'computer management' tool.

Disk management – OS X
OS X has a built in tool called 'disk utility'.  It has a lot of useful functions such as verifying and repairing a disk, partitioning it and disk eraser. All this is done automatically by the OS. The interesting thing about OS X is that unlike other operating systems, this one sort files nicely. According to apple, disk defrag will never be required. Also, if disk seems to perform slowly, Apple recommends to repair it instead.

File management – Windows, OS X, Ubuntu
This one puts all 3 operating systems together. All 3 use folder structure to sort files. All 3 operating systems show a basic interface when browsing through folders. Every interface contains most common locations such as documents, pictures or desktop. Every operating system allows to move, rename and open files and folders. All of those can also be placed within other folders. Folders can also be hidden from other users and locked with password. All operating systems also use icons for folders and different files to make browsing easier.


Peripheral management – Windows
Windows allows for good peripheral management. All devices connected can be seen in a device manager, drivers are included in details. Device manager, however, doesn’t let directly control peripherals and special software is required for example to change fan speed or increase clock speed. Device manager however, allows to stop certain devices or uninstall them. There are some more functions such as allowing windows to take control of device in order to save power.

Peripheral management – Ubuntu
Unlike others, Ubuntu does not include a peripheral management menu. One can be downloaded as a separate app however there is no built in function used to control peripherals.

Peripheral management – OS X
OS X has a built in system information menu. It allows to view every connected device, however it does not allow any changes to be made. There is no built in manager that would let user uninstall devices and access some functions such as letting OS take control of the device. Instead, a separate app can be downloaded.

Account management – Windows
Windows allows for detailed account management. Accounts can be created, deleted and renamed. Windows can store many logins at once and can ask for a password when somebody wants to log in to a certain login. Different accounts can be given access to different desktops, files, system files and folders. Some functions are locked to certain users, for example disk management. Upon installing software, windows asks if it should be installed for every user or just the one currently using it.

Account management – Ubuntu
Ubuntu has some account management however, it isn’t as detailed as windows. Users can be given administrator access, can be deleted, renamed, and passwords can be changed. There isn’t as much when it comes to blocking certain users from accessing files and folders.

Account management – OS X
OS X has quite a detailed account manager. Accounts can be edited, passwords changed, deleted and parental control can even be set. User can also be given administrator privileges like in every other OS. In OS X, similarly to windows, users have separate desktops, available only for them.

Security – Windows
Windows has built in Firewall. It protects users from malware and malicious software. It is enabled by default and can be disabled only by administrator. Windows also reminds users when firewall is not enabled for extra protection. Upon purchasing windows, Microsoft offers users free Anti-virus. Although not as good as other software available on internet, it is still a bit of protection from viruses, malware and other dangerous software. If anti-virus is not installed, windows reminds user to install one to stay safe. Windows also lets users create passwords on literally anything. Both folders and files can be protected by password as well as the operating system itself. Even if passwords are not set, in order to perform certain actions administrator needs to be logged in.

Security – Ubuntu
Ubuntu comes with a pre-installed firewall, it basically works the same way as Windows’ firewall. Ubuntu, like every other operating system does not include an operating system, and due to being free, users are not offered one as there is no need to buy it. However, users can download an anti-virus made by community. Ubuntu is different to windows and there seem to be less viruses made against it, so users are more safe. Ubuntu does not allow to create passwords as freely as windows. Passwords can be used for example to log in to different users.

Security – OS X
Like others, OS X comes with a built in firewall that works exactly the same as others. OS X does not offer any anti-virus however, like every other operating systems, has apps that offer the same protection. Some are free, some cost quite a lot. OS X lets users create password for files and folders as well as different users. It even comes with built in parental control which sets many restrictions on browsing computer.




None of the systems can be considered as ‘The best’. Every system has its own advantages and disadvantages. Ubuntu is free and open source which means there is more to edit. It is recommended to people who are seeking a lot of editing and creating. Also it doesn’t weight as much as windows due to less capabilities and can be quickly installed without paying anything. On the other hand, those who seek more functional systems, should get windows. Windows is often seen as the most functional. It is the most common system therefore when working in a big office with many computers, Windows is the best choice. OS X is often referred to as a gaming operating system. However, the most important thing is basically own thoughts and feels. If somebody has used windows for ages and knows most of it, there is no point to change. Ubuntu users, on the other hand, will have problem with using windows.