Difference between revisions of "Operating system"
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An operating system is defined into a few basic parts: | An operating system is defined into a few basic parts: | ||
* The '''[[BIOS]]''', which handles all hardware related things. Often a computer has a BIOS integrated within its hardware, though some operating systems such as [[Linux]] are independent of this BIOS.<ref>http://www.linux.com/base/ldp/howto/Linux-Init-HOWTO-5.html</ref> | * The '''[[BIOS]]''', which handles all hardware related things. Often a computer has a BIOS integrated within its hardware, though some operating systems such as [[Linux]] are independent of this BIOS.<ref>http://www.linux.com/base/ldp/howto/Linux-Init-HOWTO-5.html</ref> | ||
| − | * The '''[[Kernel]]''', which handles all software related | + | * The '''[[Operation system kernel|Kernel]]''', which handles all software related operations and acts as a interpreter between applications and the hardware. |
* The [[Computer shell|shell]] or User Interface - Software that draws forms, toolbars, menus, main task bar, typing commands for the computer to execute, etc. | * The [[Computer shell|shell]] or User Interface - Software that draws forms, toolbars, menus, main task bar, typing commands for the computer to execute, etc. | ||
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* [[Mobile device]]s: [[Smartphones]] and [[tablet computer|tablets]] | * [[Mobile device]]s: [[Smartphones]] and [[tablet computer|tablets]] | ||
* [[Apple Computer|Apple]] [[iOS]] for [[iPhone]]-[[iPod]]-[[iPad]] | * [[Apple Computer|Apple]] [[iOS]] for [[iPhone]]-[[iPod]]-[[iPad]] | ||
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| − | + | * '''Domestic [[Mass surveillance|Mass Surveillance]] | |
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| − | * '''Domestic [[Mass surveillance|Mass Surveillance | ||
* '''[[Computer crime|Computer Crime]] and [[Cyberwarfare]]:''' | * '''[[Computer crime|Computer Crime]] and [[Cyberwarfare]]:''' | ||
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| − | * | + | *[[Security-focused operating systems|Security-Focused Operating Systems]]''' |
| − | + | ** '''[[Prism-break.org|Prism-Break.org]]''': Opt out of global data [[surveillance]] programs like [[PRISM]], [[ECHELON]], [[XKeyscore]] and [[Tempora]]. | |
| − | ** '''[[Prism-break.org|Prism-Break.org]]''': Opt out of global data [[surveillance]] programs like [[PRISM]], [[ECHELON]], [[XKeyscore]] and [[Tempora]]. | ||
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* '''[[Encryption]]:''' [[Encryption software]], [[Disk encryption software]], [[LUKS]] or [[TrueCrypt]] instead of [[Microsoft]] [[BitLocker]], [[PGP]] and [[GNU Privacy Guard]], [[Data encryption]], [[Public-key encryption]], [[Cryptography]]-[[Cryptanalysis]]-[[Cryptology]]-[[Steganography]] | * '''[[Encryption]]:''' [[Encryption software]], [[Disk encryption software]], [[LUKS]] or [[TrueCrypt]] instead of [[Microsoft]] [[BitLocker]], [[PGP]] and [[GNU Privacy Guard]], [[Data encryption]], [[Public-key encryption]], [[Cryptography]]-[[Cryptanalysis]]-[[Cryptology]]-[[Steganography]] | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist|2}} | {{reflist|2}} | ||
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*[http://www.kernel.org/ The Linux Kernel Archives] | *[http://www.kernel.org/ The Linux Kernel Archives] | ||
*[http://www.linux-foundation.org/en/Main_Page The Linux Foundation] | *[http://www.linux-foundation.org/en/Main_Page The Linux Foundation] | ||
| + | *[http://computer.howstuffworks.com/operating-system.htm Howstuffworks article on Operating Systems] | ||
[[Category:Computers]] | [[Category:Computers]] | ||
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[[Category:Operating Systems]] | [[Category:Operating Systems]] | ||
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Revision as of 15:15, May 9, 2016
An operating system is a set of basic software that allows computers to perform basic tasks for people. It is responsible for displaying the graphics on screen and outputting sound to the speakers, controlling input from the mouse and keyboard, allowing hardware to work properly, interfacing with other computers on a network, and storing and retrieving data. The most common operating systems today are Microsoft Windows, Apple's Mac OS, and Linux / BSD / Tails Anonymous Secure Operating System.
Structure
An operating system is defined into a few basic parts:
- The BIOS, which handles all hardware related things. Often a computer has a BIOS integrated within its hardware, though some operating systems such as Linux are independent of this BIOS.[1]
- The Kernel, which handles all software related operations and acts as a interpreter between applications and the hardware.
- The shell or User Interface - Software that draws forms, toolbars, menus, main task bar, typing commands for the computer to execute, etc.
Prescient Quotes on Operating System-level Surveillance
- "The progress of science in furnishing the government with means of espionage is not likely to stop with wiretapping. Ways may some day be developed by which the government, without removing papers from secret drawers, can reproduce them in court, and by which it will be enabled to expose to a jury the most intimate occurrences of the home. Advances in the psychic and related sciences may bring means of exploring unexpressed beliefs, thoughts and emotions. 'That places the liberty of every man in the hands of every petty officer' was said by James Otis of much lesser intrusions than these. 1 To Lord Camden a far slighter intrusion seemed 'subversive of all the comforts of society.' Can it be that the Constitution affords no protection against such invasions of individual security?"
- Louis Brandeis (1856-1941), United States Supreme Court Associate Justice Dissenting, Olmstead v. United States, 277 U.S. 438 (1928).
See Also
- Tails Anonymous Secure Operating System
- Apple Computer MacOS for Apple Macintosh
- Mobile devices: Smartphones and tablets
- Apple iOS for iPhone-iPod-iPad
- Domestic Mass Surveillance
- Computer Crime and Cyberwarfare:
- Security-Focused Operating Systems
- Prism-Break.org: Opt out of global data surveillance programs like PRISM, ECHELON, XKeyscore and Tempora.
- Encryption: Encryption software, Disk encryption software, LUKS or TrueCrypt instead of Microsoft BitLocker, PGP and GNU Privacy Guard, Data encryption, Public-key encryption, Cryptography-Cryptanalysis-Cryptology-Steganography
References