Name:
WFA Technology
Operating Systems
Dr. Green
Directions: Go to www.howstuffworks.com. In the search box near the top of the page type
“Introduction to How Operating Systems Work”. Click on the link, “How Operating
Systems Work”.
As you read the first page answer the following questions:
1. Most desktop or laptop PCs come pre-loaded with what operating system?
2.Macintosh computers come with pre-loaded with what operating system?
3. Many corporate servers use what operating system?
4. What is the purpose of an operating system?
Click on “2. What is an Operating System?” and answer the following questions:
5. What are the three most common operating systems?
6. Who developed the UNIX family of operating systems?
Click on “3. Operating System Functions” and answer the following questions:
7. What two things does an operating system do?
8. What do CPU, I/O, and API stand for?
9. What is one of the challenges facing developers?
Click on “4. Types of Operating Systems” and answer the following questions:
10. What type of operating system is Microsoft’s Windows and Apple’s MacOS platforms?
11. What type of operating system is UNIX?
Click on “5. Computer Operating Systems” and answer the following questions:
12. What does the bootstrap loader do?
Click on “11. User Interface” and answer the following question as you read:
13. What does GUI stand for?
WFA Technology
Windows
Dr. Green
Directions: Go to www.computerhope.com . In the search box type in “Microsoft”.
1. Who are the 2 people that started Microsoft?
2. What year was Microsoft founded?
Scroll down to the bottom and click on “Microsoft Windows History”
3. In what year did Microsoft introduce Windows?
4. In what year did Microsoft finally ship Windows 1.0?
Click on “Windows” after the word Microsoft
5. What is the interface known as that is provided by Microsoft and what does it do?
Click the back arrow
6. In what year was Microsoft Windows 2.0 released?
7. What is one of the new features offered in Windows 95? (hint: click on Windows 95)
8. In what year was Microsoft Windows 98 introduced?
9. What is the name of the internet provided in Windows 98?(hint: click on Windows 98)
10. What version is Microsoft shipping now?
WFA Technology
Mac OS
Dr. Green
Directions: The information about Mac is spread out over a bunch of sites so we are going
to just fill this in together.
Things PC is good at:
Things Mac is good at:
1. ____________________
1. ____________________
2. ____________________
2. ____________________
3. ____________________
4. ____________________
1. In 1984, Apple Computer introduced the Apple ____________________ personal computer.
2. The Mac is often credited with popularizing the ______________________________.
3. The Mac OS has been __________________ on almost every Macinstosh computer ever sold.
4. Apple partnered with Microsoft in an agreement that would have Microsoft creating versions
of ___________________________for the Mac.
5. “Stickies” which were basically virtual _____________________.
6. The most recent version and one that is used on new systems today is ___________________.
WFA Technology
Linux
Dr. Green
Directions: The information about Linux is spread out over a bunch of sites so we are going
to just fill this in together.
1. What two things is Linux comparable to?
______________________________________________________________________________
2. In what year was Linux originally created?
______________________________________________________________________________
3. What does it mean that Linux is both free software and open source software?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. What are the two parts you can think of Linux as having?
______________________________________________________________________________
5. What makes Linux useful on your computer?
______________________________________________________________________________
6. Without a GUI, what would Linux and all other operating systems require users to do?
______________________________________________________________________________
7. What are three typical programs that Linux includes?
______________________________________________________________________________
8. What are the five advantages to Linux?
______________________________________________________________________________
WFA Technology
OS Name History
Dr. Green
Directions: Use the Internet to find the answers to the questions below. I am not providing
you with a specific website or link. You need to figure this out on your own.
1. What two people founded Microsoft?
________________________
________________________
2. How was the name “Microsoft” chosen?
______________________________________________________________________________
3. What two people founded Apple?
___________________
___________________
4. How was the name “Apple” chosen?
______________________________________________________________________________
5. Who created Linux?
________________________
6. How was the name “Linux” chosen?
______________________________