Operating System

Question 1

What are the functions of the kernel?

Answer 1

• Serve as an interface between the apps running on a computer and the hardware; serves as application platform
• Moderates hardware (lets applications easily access hardware)
• Sends/receives output/input to/from hardware
• Provides security (need some kind of credentials to use system)
• Manages file system

Question 2

What is the difference between a GUI and a CLI?

Answer 2

GUI represents things graphically, command-line uses text commands

Question 3

How are Windows Explorer and My Computer similar?

Answer 3

Explorer is the same as what you see in My Computer; they show the file system

Question 4

What type of information is shown on the Taskbar?

Answer 4

Currently running applications, applications running in the background (system tray?), time, quick launch section, toolbars

Question 5

Which Windows interface components would you use to switch from one running program to another?

Answer 5

Task bar, alt tab

Question 6

Which Windows versions include the Sidebar, Aero, and UAC?

Answer 6

Vista, 7

Question 7

What are the components of an OS?

Answer 7

kernel (the core of the operating system that is loaded into memory when the system boots up)
utilities (features or programs included with an operating system that perform system-related tasks)
interface (command line interface vs graphic user interface)
drivers (computer programs that enable the operating system to interact with hardware devices)

Question 8

Differences between Windows 2000 and Windows XP?

Answer 8

• Graphics.
• System tray can expand/collapse. Start menu has much more info (current user, quick application launch, recent apps, info unique to user).
• Control Panel now has category view instead of lists. Then pick tasks or applets for control panel.
• Can also switch back to “classic view” for control panel and start menu.
• Application group, all instances of one app are grouped.

Question 9

Differences in Windows Vista?

Answer 9

• Sidebar with gadgets, each runs a function, can place anywhere
• Search feature in Start menu
• UAC (user account control); asking for permission to continue
• Windows Aero (transparent window borders, can see thumbnails of running apps)
• Windows + Tab = 3D view of open windows
• System tray is now “notification area”
• Different categories in control panels

Question 10

Differences in Windows 7?

Answer 10

• taskbar doesn’t have quick launch toolbar, but can pin apps to it for same function
• show desktop button is now at the far right instead of near quick launch
• no sidebar, can still add gadgets directly
• no more “classic” start menu
• snap and peek and shake

Question 11

Search features in Vista/7?

Answer 11

Windows includes a new indexing service that catalogs objects and files on your computer to improve the speed of searches on your computer. The search is typically fast because it is not searching the complete hard drive but instead is looking through the index.
Custom properties are tags or descriptions that you can add to files as attributes that can be easily searched or indexed.
Search Folders lets you save a search as a folder. When you open the folder again, the search is performed and the results are displayed.