An operating system, or OS, is a software program that enables the computer hardware to communicate and operate with the computer software. Without a computer operating system, a computer would be useless.
Operating system types
As computers have progressed and developed so have the operating systems. Below is a basic list of the different operating systems and a few examples of operating systems that fall into each of the categories. Many computer operating systems will fall into more than one of the below categories.
GUI - Short for Graphical User Interface, a GUI Operating System contains graphics and icons and is commonly navigated by using a computer mouse. See the GUI definition for a complete definition. Below are some examples of GUI Operating Systems.
System 7.x
MAC OS 9 Mac OS 9 is the latest public release of the Apple operating system, which includes new and unique features not found in any other operating system. Below are some of the new features found with this new operating system.
Sherlock 2 - Which offers the capability of quickly searching and purchasing online.
3D acceleration - Support for technologies such as OpenGL, allowing improved video and a wider gaming experience.
Share files - Share files and folders over the Internet with other Mac users.
Colorsync 3.0 - Manages color even more efficiently.
Synchronize - Synchronizes with Palm computing products using HotSync software.
TCP/IP - Provides access to TCP/IP networks.
Lock System - Ensures that System Folders and Applications do not accidentally get reconfigured by having the capability of locking the system.
Windows 98 Windows 98 overview
Microsoft Windows 98 is the upgrade to Microsoft Windows 95. While this was not as big as release as Windows 95, Windows 98 has significant updates, fixes and support for new peripherals. Below is a list of some of its new features.
Protection - Windows 98 includes additional protection for important files