Task to be Performed for the Operating System


The decision about which of the operating systems to select should be based on the tasks to be accomplished. As we compare three operating system products on the market, including Windows 95, OS/2 Warp and Linux, we should examine the following areas to help identify the operating system that best meets user's needs:

Ease of Use

It is important to look at the ease-of-use aspects of an operating system from the perspectives of both a novice and an experienced user. Novice users include both people who have never used to a PC and people who have used one infrequently, often because they find PCs intimidating. Novices might have trouble moving around the user interface and might need more information or coaching - for example, from an online help system. Experienced users generally interact with more areas of the operating system than novice users, and they demand flexibility, speed, and power.

Performance

The term system performance refers to how the operating system performs overall while performing a set of broad tasks - for example, running a group of applications and programs that are normally run simultaneously. The term performance also refers to the ability of individual system components or subsystems to perform a more narrow set of tasks - for example, file input/output (I/O) operations. In addition, we should run performance tests against different hardware configurations because different hardware resources deliver different performance testing results.

Compatibility of Device and Application Support

When you choose device support of an operating system, you should know how broad a range of devices will be used. For example, if your company grows, your hardware needs will grow too. Therefore, the operating system you choose would not restrict the peripheral devices your company can buy later.

Support for Networking and Connectivity

In an office environment, an operating system must be able to provide network support for a broad base of clients, and also consider how successfully network functionality and other areas of the system, such as the user interface, are integrated in each operating system.

Support for Manageability and Administration

Today, many companies are working to simplify system administration by developing standard methods for managing PCs. These standards will mean better and more integrated management tools for the network administrator.

Support for Communications and Messaging

With the explosive growth of services such as CompuServe, American Online, and the Internet, the increase in demand for an operating system that access to online and mail services has been dramatic. The benefits of those supports and services allow users to discover new communication and Messaging possibilities.

Support for Mobile Services and Remote Access

To realize seamless mobility, users must be able to easily communicate and remain productive regardless of their location. In addition, the operating system should support transitions between home computer to office computer allowing minimal work interruptions.


February 20, 1996

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