Computers: Past-Present-Future

   History
   How PCs Work
   Computer Parts
   Software
   Future
   Dictionary

Operating Systems are what make your computer come alive. They are the single most important piece of software that you could ever dream of having. There are a lot of operating systems out today some include:

1. Windows
2. UNIX
3. LINUX
4. Mac OS
5. IBM OS/2
6. BeOS
7. MS-DOS and PC-DOS

An operating system contains all of the system files that make your computer work. These system programs tell it how to use all of the hardware together without getting all mixed up. They also tell each piece of hardware how to run itself. You couldn't turn on a computer without some kind of operating system.

Now most people use Windows, but there are a few up and coming stars to challenge Windows. A couple of which are LINUX and BeOS. These two are the main competition for Windows in the PC market. LINUX is made by a lot of different companies because it is free to anybody. BeOS is manufactured by a company called . BeOS is totally free for anybody to download off of the Net or to order on CD. It's about 100 MB so unless you have a high speed connection you should order it on CD. They also make a server edition for a charge. I personally prefer LINUX, but I have not used BeOS enough to say whether I like it or not.

As you can see Operating Systems are very important to your computer. I would recommend that you get as much exposure to as many operating systems as possible.

  "Never trust a computer
you can't throw out a
window."
   -Steve Wozniak

"I do not fear computers.
I fear lack of them."
   -Isaac Asimov

If you can't beat your
computer at chess, try
kickboxing."
   -Anon.