Major Operating Systems

Group discussion

What is the purpose of an operating system?

Definition activity

Class will count off up to 6. You will find definitions (and one example where applicable) of the following terms and post them (in separate messages for each term) on the message board at http://my.nl.edu) according to your number:

Your number	Define these terms
Number 1	16 bit operating system; compression algorithm; OS/2; Windows CE
Number 2	virtual machine; multitasking; compatibility mode (in Windows); dynamic link library
Number 3	operating system; virtual memory; command-line interface; Unix
Number 4	shell; open source software; rich text format; Linux
Number 5	Applicatin Programming Interface; memory register (as in a CPU); bitmap; Amiga OS
Number 6	kernel; Graphical Device Interface; metafile; Windows ME

You might find these resources helpful:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

http://www.omahapubliclibrary.org/subjects/internet/comindus.html

In Google, type define:TERM into the search field

http://answers.com/

Control Panel Activity

Class will count off again, this time up to N (n=number in class). Each person will spend 30 minutes learning everything there is to know about a Control Panel applet in Windows XP. You may refer to the Windows Help system, or use the Internet as needed.

Post a summary of your findings to the message board at http://my.nl.edu and be prepared to discuss and demonstrate it briefly with the class. (Note: to get to the control panel, you need to go through My Computer.)

Number	Control Panel Applet
1	Accessibility Options
2	User accounts
3	Add or remove programs
4	Administration tools
5	Display
6	Folder options
7	Internet Options
8	Keyboard
9	Mouse
10	Network Connections
11	System
12	Regional and Language
13	Sounds and Audio Devices