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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