Operating Systems

An Operating system is the core foundation to a running computer. OS' include Unix, Linux, OS X (Macintosh), Windows. Some operating systems such as Linux is an open source, free redistribution OS that is based on the functions of the Unix. Linus Torvalds is the founder of Linux and he simply allowed the community to take his software and redistribute it as seen fit. Multiple "flavors" (versions) are created by ordinary people by restructuring the coding formats.
Bill Gates, CEO of Microsoft, created Windows and Steve Jobs with Apple.

Operating systems work by being requested a command from the user, you. Once a user has commanded the computer to do a certain action, it will request this action through a series of codes within the hardware. This code that computers use is called Binary. Binary code is a series of 1's and 0's. The code is sent to the motherboard where it will process the information using the CPU, RAM, bus', and Hard drives. Once the information is processed, it will be sent back to the user, into the selected output device (Monitors, speakers, mouses) and translate the information from 1's and 0's to a language or action you can understand.


INTERESTING FACTS:
Your computer can only be as good as your processor.
Speaking of processors, there are a few types such as a single, duo or quad core processor.

1. Single core processors are capable of only doing single tasks at one time. Although you can try to multitask on a single core processor, it will not be any faster than handling one thing at a time. Freezes often occur when trying to do many things at once with a single core processor.
2. Duo core processors are much faster than the single cores. These can process multiple tasks and not freeze as often as a single core processor. This processor is common among computer users.
   
3. Quad core processors are the fastest. These processors can handle many tasks at once. Just like a guy typing, eating, drinking, and brushing his hair all at once, the quad core can handle a lot of commands the user has to offer. Most gamers (people who play games) shoot for this kind of processor because it can handle a lot of the HD (hi-definition) games.
   

Software

We use this everyday on computers. These are applications that are installed into the Hard drives for 1: entertainment like video games, 2: office applications such as Microsoft Office, or 3: simple anti-virus programs to protect your computer.

Software can be defined as an application that's been recorded and stored into multimedia. Videos, CDs, Games, Anti-virus, Tapes and so on. Software can be read by the Hardware pertaining to that software. A music CD can be read by hardware in cars, computers, CD players etc...

INTERESTING FACTS:
When you Torrent software, it might not be legal. Torrents allow downloads to any user without paying for the software or downloading fees. A torrent is perfectly legal just like direct downloads BUT if you download copyrighted software from torrents, then it is illegal. Many bad users do this method of "stealing" software, but this method can lead you straight to jail.

Remember, computers don't get viruses. People get Viruses!

Hardware

Multiple components in the computer make up the Hardware portion. Objects such as the Motherboard, which holds most of the important Hardware parts. Other particular parts that go on the motherboard are the PCI slots, CPU, graphics cards, NICs, HDs, bus' and other stuff such as the fan and dusty dust :D.

• CPU: Determines the processing speed at which your computer can run certain functions. Multiple processors can be bought ranging from a single core to a quad core.
• RAM: Short term memory used to quickly process the computer, like your cache.
• Hard Drives: Long term memory storage that holds up to the given size on the hard drive. Hard drives may be external or internal.
• Graphics Cards: Allows the monitor to display data being input through your keyboard or mouses.
• PCI Slots: These slots are available for extra hardware.

INTERESTING FACTS:
Troubleshooting is essential if you have no idea what's wrong with your computer. Most likely a troubleshooter will use these steps below:

1. Isolate source of frustration
2. Brainstorm possible ideas to fix this
3. Find the cheapest and effective way to fix your problem
4. Re-run to see if your problem is still occurring

The Motherboard contains two sections, the North bridge and the South Bridge. The North bridge carries out most of the main functions to processing the computer. Things to processing software, booting up the computer or allowing the computer to graphically display information all happens in a measured unit called GHz (giga hertz). GHz's are a series of spinning molecules within a computer at about one to four billion times a second (1Ghz to 4GHz). The South Bridge contains all the main connections such as Hard Drive connections. Cables run from the bottom of the motherboard to the ends of Hardrives allowing information to flow between the two or three or four connections. Hard drives can include Disk drives and floppy drives.