Software

All the elements that go together to make up a PC fall into one of two categories, hardware or software. This section is about software, the stuff that runs on top of the hardware.

Webster defines software as 'something used or associated with and usually contrasted with hardware as the entire set of programs, procedures, and related documentation associated with a system and especially a computer system.'

Nine out of every 10 PCs used in homes worldwide, run some type of Windows operating system.

There are two types software found in every PC:
an Operating System and Application Programs

Operating Systems (OS) provide the basic platform that brings the PC to a point where it can work with application programs and interface with users.
Think of your car running at idle after you start it. Until the engine and basic systems are up and running you can't use it to run any applications like going to the store or work or anywhere else!

Operating Systems can be divided into two groups: Windows and non-Windows
I chose this classification because of the wide spread use of Windows operating systems and not on any particular technical aspects of the many operating systems in use today.

Application Programs are loaded and run on top of the OS. There are application programs to do just about anything you want. From finding any location in the world via a street address, listening to music, watching videos or TV to something very simple like a program to help you learn how to type (what I need). You name it and someone has probably developed an application to do it! 

  •  Windows
  •  non-Windows
  • Application Programs
  
Windows Operating Systems

By Rohit Mahatara


Windows is the most popular PC operating system in the world, and is the primary focus of the software area on this web site.

In this section the last five Operating Systems that Windows released: XP, ME, 2000, 98 and 95 are covered. The versions released prior to Windows 95 are included but only briefly touched on.


Windows XP

Released in October 2001, this OS was to designed to replace all previous versions of Windows.

Minimum requirements


  • Pentium III processor, 233 Mhz (300 Mhz recommended)

  • 64 Mbytes of memory (128 Mbytes recommended)

  • 1.5 Gbytes of free disk space

  • A monitor with SVGA resolution (800x600)

  • CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive

  • Pointing device (mouse)

  • Sound card and speakers

    It is offered in two versions: Home and Professional

  • The Home Edition is $99 as an upgrade and $199 for the full version.

  • The Professional Edition is $199 for an upgrade and $299 for the full version.

  • Both Home and Professional can be upgraded from Windows 98, Windows 98SE, and Windows ME. Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000 and Windows XP Home can all be upgraded to Windows XP Professional. Windows 95 and earlier versions of Windows are up gradable to either version.

    Features

  • Less crashes than Windows 98 - virtually gone is the infamous 'blue screen of death' that signaled a crashed system.

  • Error messages are less impersonal and end with 'We are sorry for the inconvenience.'

  • Installation of peripheral hardware such as printers, scanner and digital cameras is virtually automatic.

  • Many users can share the same PC. Each can have their own password and individualized desktop, my documents folder and web favorites for example.

    With 'Fast User Switching' a user can turn the PC over to another user without logging off. The first user's program continue running and can be resumed when the second user is done.

  • New look to the desktop with bold greens and blues in places, beige in others. The classic Windows 98 style can be restored without functional loss.

  • Home networks are automatically recognized and configured. Broadband access can be setup with a few simple steps.

  • Folders are smarter and have related Task Panes that contains tasks that match the type of files found it . For example, a folder with photos would have a Task Pane containing an instant viewing capability such as a thumbnail viewer.

  • Files can be dragged and dropped on a CD-RW drive icon. Once you have placed all the files you want on the icon, you tell it burn them an it does it. No special CD writing software is required.

  • A smarter Start menu lets you keep your favorite programs permanently near the top. A second column contains access to key features like the control Panel and Search.

    What to watch out for

  • Within 60 days of the installation you must 'activate' it over the Internet or phone. If you don't, it stops working. During activation Microsoft creates a profile of your PC and links it to serial number of your install software. MS will prevent you from installing it on a second machine.

  • When you start XP you will be asked to sign up for the MS instant-messaging feature, Messenger. To use it you must up for Passport. It cannot be un installed and sits at the right end of the taskbar.

    You can prevent Messenger loading on Start up. Go to Tools > Options >Preferences, then uncheck the box that says 'run this program when Windows starts'. You can download other instant-messaging software from AOL, Yahoo or others.

  • Built in features that steer you toward Microsoft and MS partners products and services. Other competitive products may require downloaded patches from their web sites in order to work with XP.

  • Internet Explorer home page is set to Microsoft's MSN page. You can change this to another home page.First open the web page you want then go to Tools > Internet Options and click Current. Your browser will open to this web page every time you start it.

  • There is a DOS emulator, but you cannot start your PC in 'Real Mode' as in older versions of Windows.

  • The Media Player can play MP3 files but can't create them. It is geared toward Windows proprietary WMA file format. Other media players such as MusicMatch Jukebox can be downloaded and used to create MP3 files.

  • Microsoft can install Automatic Upgrades to your PC with or without your intervention. You may or may not like this feature. You can turn it off by going to the Control Panel > Automatic Updates tab, then select the option that turns it off.

Windows ME

The successor to Window 98 appeared late in 2000. Very similar in look and feel to Windows 98 with a few added features.

Minimum requirements

  • Pentium processor, 150Mhz

  • 32 Mbytes of memory

  • 480-645 Mbytes of free disk space (depending on the options installed)

  • A monitor with VGA (640x480 ) or higher resolution

  • CD-ROM

  • 3 1/2 inch Floppy Drive

  • Sound card and speakers

    Features

  • A more reliable streamlined process that reduces the start up time for the PC.

  • Automatic restoration of backup version of a file in the event of file corruption.

  • Protection of files from modification from other software programs.

  • Windows Media Player 7 was included.

Windows 2000

Windows 2000 arrived early in 2000. It is based on the NT operating kernel and targeted toward business users. It is sometimes referred to as Windows NT 5.0 and contains over 29 million lines of code.

Minimum requirements

  • Pentium processor, 133 Mhz

  • 64 Mbytes of memory

  • 2 Gbyte Hard drive with a minimum of 650 Mbytes free

  • It is offered in four versions: Professional, Server, Advanced Server and Datacenter Server

    New features of Professional

  • Support for FAT16, FAT32 and NTFS file systems. Each file is encrypted with a randomly generated key.

  • A better application installation tracker.

  • Memory protection for individual applications and processes so that a single application can not lock up the system.

  • A file encryption system and secure VPN allows a private LAN over the Internet.

  • Native support is provided for ATM and cable modems.

Windows 98

Released in 1998 it retained and refined the desktop look of Windows 95. A second edition called Windows 98SE was released in 1999 and offered some fixes and improvements to the first edition.

Minimum requirements

  • 486DX, 66 MHz processor

  • 16 Mbytes of memory (24 Mbytes recommended)

  • 480-645 Mbytes for a FAT16 drive; 140-255 Mbytes for a FAT32 drive

  • A monitor with minimum resolution of VGA (800x600)

  • Floppy Disk Drive

    Features

  • The biggest advance was the introduction of Internet Explorer, which is a web browser allowing you to view and download web pages from remote servers across the Internet.

  • An improved File System, FAT32 (File Allocation Table) was introduced. It enabled hard drives bigger than 2G bytes to be used with the OS. By default Windows 98 uses FAT16, which is the file system used on all previous Windows versions and DOS.

  • In Windows 98 you have the option of using FAT32 when first setting up a hard drive.

  • Windows 98 is backward compatible with Windows 3.1, Windows 95, and the MS-DOS® operating systems.

Windows 95

Released in 1995 it had the first desktop appearance that has pretty much been retained in all versions of Windows since.

Minimum requirements

  • 386DX processor

  • 4 Mbytes of memory (8 Mbytes recommended)

  • 50-60 Mbytes of free hard drive space

  • A monitor with minimum resolution of VGA (800x600)

  • Floppy Disk Drive

    Features

  • The desktop with icons on it first debuted.

  • A taskbar was added to the bottom of the desktop. Program Manager was replaced with a 'Start' button on the taskbar. It is used to start programs, open documents, customize the system and get help. Toolbars such as quick launch, desktop, address and links can be placed on the taskbar.

    Running applications that have been minimized also appear on the taskbar.

  • Windows Explorer replaced File Manager as the tool to manage folders and files.

  • Long Filenames (up to 256 characters) were supported which was a tremendous improvement over 8 characters in all earlier versions of Windows as well as DOS.

  • Plug and Play compatibility was added which meant you could plug in new hardware (expansion cards) which Windows would recognize and set it up for you. This feature wasn't quite there but was a start in the right direction.
    Prior to this when you installed new hardware you had to manually insure there were no Interrupts (IRQ) or I/O address conflicts with existing hardware. Failure to do so could produce very strange results or even worse yet, no operation at all.

  • The Registry appeared, combining what had been multiple configuration files, into two files.

  • The right mouse click arrived allowing rapid access and text manipulation.

Windows NT

Released in 1994 this was the first Windows OS to support 32 bit programming model of the 386, 486 and Pentium processors. Support for long filenames also appeared for the fist time.

  • It provided advanced security features, advanced network support and user administration which made it a first choice for many in the business environment.

Windows 3.1.1

In 1993 Microsoft released 3.1.1. It was dubbed 'Windows for Workgroups' and provided network support so that multiple PCs could share files and printers.

Windows 3.1

In 1992 V3.1 brought True Type fonts, multimedia support, OLE and common dialog boxes. It ran only in protected mode and required a 80286 or better processor.

Windows 3.0

Released in 1990 this OS became widespread in both home and office PCs. It supported the protected mode of the 80x86 processors available at the time. A menu bar ran across the top much like the menu bar in all Windows based applications programs.

  • Program Manager provided access to program icons which were kept inside a number of different 'group windows'. A simple mouse click on any icon would start the program it represented.

  • File Manager allowed easy access and control to all the files on one's hard drive.

  • Print Manager and the Control Panel appeared.

Windows 2.0

Released in April 1987, it had improved windows that could overlap one another. It also included enhancements to the keyboard and mouse interface.

  • The release of the 80386 processor enabled multitasking of many DOS programs. Windows 2.0 competed with IBM presentation manager of the OS/2 operating system.

Windows 1.0

Released November 1985. It ran on DOS and used fixed tiled windows.

Windows

The first Microsoft offering was released in the November 1983. It sold for about $100.  

 
 
 Other Operating Systems

by Rohit Mahatara


 There are many operating systems in existence. I have chosen to list a few that I believe are important milestones in the evolution of post-mainframe computers.
DOS (Disk Operating System)

PC-DOS, developed under Bill Gates of Microsoft, was the first operating system that ran on the IBM PC (released in 1981). It was the world's first mass market PC. MS-DOS is a Microsoft version almost identical to PC-DOS that Microsoft retained the right to distribute.

DOS is a text based operating system meaning that all commands are typed. The now familiar point and click mouse, and the desktop GUI (Graphical User Interface) had not yet been developed.

DOS is more tedious to use than the GUI that Windows provides. It does, however, offer the user more direct access to the inner workings of the PC, which newer releases of Windows seem to be progressively hiding from the user.

A DOS session can be opened while running Windows. Just click Start, then Programs and find the MS-DOS Prompt and click it. When you are done with DOS, type 'exit' at the C:\ prompt to close it.

Every once in a while you may need to open a DOS or Command session, as it is now called, in order to change or check a PC parameter that cannot be changed from Windows.
Mac

Mac is the operating system that runs on Macintosh computers from Apple Inc. Many people who use computers for graphics development, like the features in this OS.

In the late 1980s the Wintel (Windows/Intel) combination of software/hardware used on the PC took off because the architecture was open. This encouraged third parties to develop software and special purpose Add-on cards for the PC that enabled further extensions and enhancements to the PC..

Apple took the closed architecture approach and no one could get specifications necessary to develop third party boards for it. The end result is that no one could develop anything for the Mac. This held back the growth and acceptance of the Mac, and allowed the PC to gain tremendous market share.

Over time the inertia of the Wintel based PC became virtually, for better or worse, unstoppable. Today 9 out of every 10 PCs are Wintel based. In spite of some of the shortcomings of Windows, it along with the Microsoft Office suite, has become the de facto operating platform for PCs worldwide. More application software and support are available for it than any other OS in the world.
Unix

UNIX (you-niks) is an operating system that originated at Bell Labs in 1969. It was the first OS written in the popular 'C' programming language. It is not a proprietary operating system owned by a one computer company, and became the first open operating system that could be added to by anyone. UNIX is used primarily in workstations which are typically more powerful machines than PCs.
Solaris

Solaris (the follow on to SunOS) is a UNIX based system developed by Sun Microsystems for its family of Scalable Processor Architecture-based processors. It can also run on Intel-based processors. Sun's SPARC/Solaris systems were the predominant servers for Web sites as the Internet emerged in the 1990s. Sun says Solaris is available (meaning it seldom crashes), scalable (it can be run on larger processors) and is designed for network computing. Sun advertises its latest version, the Solaris 8 Operating Environment, as the 'the leading UNIX environment' today.
Linux

Linux (lih-niks) is a UNIX-like operating system. The kernel (core of the operating system) was developed by Linus Torvalds at the University of Helsinki in Finland. Unlike commercial operating systems, it is free and anyone can download it from the Internet!

Linux is an open source language and anyone can add to it. It is distributed using the Free Software Foundation's 'copyleft' stipulations that mean any modified version that is redistributed must in turn be made freely available.

Some have suggested that Linux may become an open language alternative to the popular desktop OS, Microsoft Windows. It is very popular among users already familiar with UNIX, but has far fewer users than Windows.

As we indicated earlier this operating system can be downloaded for free. Companies like Red Hat and SUsE offer bundled versions of the OS which among other things provides installation software for those who don't want to try doing the download and setup on their own.
Java

Java is a high-level programming language developed by Sun Microsystems originally targeting handheld devices and set-top boxes but later modified to address the rapidly expanding World Wide Web.

Java has a set of features that make it well suited for use on the World Wide Web. Small Java applications called Java applets that perform specific tasks can be downloaded from a Web server and run on your computer by a Java-compatible Web browser, such as Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer.
Script

Script is another name for a macro or batch file and is basically a list of commands that perform common tasks without user interaction. A script language is a simple programming language with which you can write scripts.

PERL (Practical Extraction and Report Language) is a scripting language especially designed for processing text. Because of it's strong text processing abilities, Perl has become one of the most popular languages for writing CGI scripts.

Applescript is a scripting language developed by Apple Computer that is integrated into the MacOS starting with System 7.5. AppleScripts automate common tasks, yet are powerful enough to automate complex tasks. 
 
 
Application Programs

by Rohit Mahatara

 Many programs come with (bundled) the Windows Operating System.

The following applications represent a tiny fraction of the programs that are used by millions of people everyday. This list of available application software is immense. Software of every flavor and type is available to do almost anything you need or want to do.

Applications found in Start > Programs:
  • Windows Explorer - Allows you to see and access all the folders and files on your HDD, FDD, CDD and Local Area Network.
  • Internet Explorer - This is a browser program that enables your PC receive web pages from servers located anywhere on the Internet.
  • MS-DOS Prompt - Allows you to open a DOS session under Windows.

Applications found in Start > Programs > Accessories:
  • Notepad - Simple word processor with limited features used to create and modify text (.txt) files.
  • Wordpad - Word processor with more features than Notebook. It can handle large document (.doc) files.
  • Paint - Allows you to create, modify and save image files in bitmap (.bmp), JPEG (.jpg) GIF (.gif) formats.
  • Imaging - Another image file program that works with bitmap (.bmp), and TIFF (.tif) filetypes.
  • CD Player - Simple CD player.
  • Sound recorder - If you have a microphone plugged into your sound card you can record sounds and play them back with option of adding effects like echo. You can also play them backwards as well.
  • Volume Controller - Five sliders control overall volume) Play Control as well as from CD, Wave, Midi and Line sources. Each sound source has a left/right fader to control how the sound is panned (distributed) between the left and right speakers.
  • Windows Media Player - Plays video (.mpg) and audio (.wav) files.
  • Disk Defragmenter - Program used to defragment you hard drive. Click here to find out more about how to do this.
  • Calculator - Simple calculator with half a dozen functions.

Other Application Programs

In addition to bundled applications, there are thousands of third party application programs you can use. Some are tailored toward work and others are purely for fun. Each program specifies the minimum required free hard drive capacity, processor speed, video resolution and amount of installed memory in order for it to operate properly.

Microsoft Office

This is a group of programs that offer a complement of applications that suffice for most office type work. MS Office has become a de facto standard for creating and sharing documents for a large percentage of both business and personal PC users. It includes:
  • WORD is a powerful word processor that contains templates that allow you to quickly create numerous document types such as letters, faxes and resumes. Tables for chart type data can quickly be set up.

    It supports a wide variety of fonts, font sizes, text foreground and background colors.

    You can format it so that envelopes and labels can be printed.
  • EXCEL is a spread sheet program for creating and manipulating numerical data.

    It contains functions that allow powerful calculations for general, accounting and engineering type problems.

    Charts and graphs can be generated to better show relationships between variables.
  • POWERPOINT enables you to create powerful slide show presentations.

    Color, animation and a number of effects can be used to enhance your slide show.
  • ACCESS is a database program that can be used to keep track of large amounts of related data that can be output in any manner you need.
  
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