Operating Systems

Windows is an addition to MS DOS and was released in 1981. Versions are 1.0, 3.0, 95, 98, Me, NT, 2000, XP and now Vista with versions designed for home-businesses with a GUI. Windows offers multimedia, internet, networking, server capabilities, advanced security and can run for long periods of time without issue. In addition, it is user friendly and offers operating systems for handheld computers and non computer devices, such as cellular phones and cable boxes. Windows is the top OS manufacturer due to its ability to provide an operating system for any situation (Axia College, 2005).

The Mac OS was created in 1984, and was the first successful GUI OS available and is based on UNIX. The current Version is MAC OS X, and offers advanced graphical interface, multimedia applications, and tools Windows has to offer, such as CD-DVD burning, photo editing, music and so forth (Axia College, 2005).

UNIX, created in 1971, was the first OS and is uses the program language C which is one of the most widely used languages and the basis for C++. UNIX was originally designed for business and academics due to its multiprogramming-multitasking capabilities. Furthermore, it is extremely portable and can be run on numerous computer systems with minor changes. At one point, UNIX was the most widely used OS on the internet with a majority of its users being businesses and government agencies-contractors (Axia College, 2005).

Linux was created in 1991 and is a version of UNIX. The operating system and its source code is available free of charge and is considered extremely reliable, user friendly, and can be operated on almost any computer. Linux is used for the search engine Google due to its reliability, versatility and being free (Axia College, 2005).

Mainframe operating systems involve OS that are capable of handling high workloads and implement advanced security features. Moreover, Mainframes are used by large businesses-organizations that need the power of multiprocessing in order to operate specific company tasks. Companies such as IBM used the Linux OS to consolidate its servers (Axia College, 2005).

Reference

Axia College. (2005). Week three overview. Retrieved June 12, 2009, from Axia College, Week Three, rEsource. IT205- Software Applications and IT Software Systems.