ITF+ Month 1 Week 1 PDF

Module 1 / Unit 1 Common Computing Devices Common Computing Devices Objectives On completion of this unit, you will be able to: Describe the...

Module 1 / Unit 1 Common Computing Devices Common Computing Devices Objectives On completion of this unit, you will be able to: Describe the basics of how a computer processes data. Describe the functions and capabilities of types of computing devices, such as PCs, servers, mobiles, and home automation. Syllabus Objectives and Content Examples This unit covers the following exam domain objectives and content examples: 1.3 Illustrate the basics of computing and processing. 2.6 Compare and contrast common computing devices and their purposes. Security systems, Modern cars, IP cameras, Streaming media devices, Medical devices) Page 3 Module 1 / Unit 1 Information Technology An Information Technology (IT) system is one that processes, stores, and transfers information. Information can take many different forms including words, numbers, pictures, sound, or video. These can all be represented in an IT system using nothing more complicated than the binary digits one and zero. When information is stored and processed like this, it is often referred to as data. An IT system could use computers, the telecommunications network, and other programmable electronic devices. In fact, because of the importance of communications in IT, the term ICT (Information and Communications Technology) is often used in preference to IT. We live in an "Information Age." The effective use of information is regarded as the defining element of the 21st century, as important as the industrial revolution before it. Computers and software programs enable us to process data and perform certain tasks much more quickly than we could ourselves. IT systems are very flexible and can be made to perform a variety of different tasks. IT networks, such as the global Internet, allow us to distribute and share information quickly. Computer Hardware and Software A computer is a system that manipulates data according to a set of instructions. Three elements are required for a computer to perform useful tasks: hardware, software, and the computer's user. The devices and components that make up a computer system are called hardware. Many parts are contained within the computer's case. Other parts are connected to the computer and are referred to as peripheral devices. Most peripherals allow information to be entered (input) and retrieved (output). The instructions that a computer follows come from software (computer programs). A basic software environment is established by the computer's Operating System (OS). Software applications, such as word processors, spreadsheet programs, and payroll programs, can be installed within the OS to extend the range of things that the computer can be used to do. Having different software applications means that the same hardware can be put to a variety of uses. Software provides an interface for the user to control the computer system. The user creates data files by inputting information and selecting commands from the interface. Basics of Computing and Processing A good way to understand the functions of the different components of the PC is to think of them working as interfaces. Input and output hardware devices, such as a mouse and a monitor, provide an interface between the user and the computer; the operating system provides an interface between hardware components and software applications. In general terms, this works as follows: Page 4  When a user selects a command (perhaps using a mouse to click an icon Common Computing Devices on the application toolbar), the software application receives the command and, using the functions of the operating system, converts it into a series of instructions, which are stored in system memory, commonly referred to as Random Access Memory (RAM). Similarly, when a user types using the keyboard or scans a picture, the input is converted to digital data and stored in memory. The Central Processing Unit (CPU) retrieves each instruction or data file from memory and processes it. The CPU then writes the result back to memory and directs other components to perform actions. For example, it may instruct the display subsystem to update the image shown to the user or the storage subsystem to save data to a disk. We'll discuss the types and features of system components such as the CPU and RAM in detail in Unit 3.1. All the instructions and data processed by a computer are ultimately represented as strings of 1s and 0s. These 1s and 0s are represented as on or off states in the transistors that make up CPU and RAM components. A CPU can process billions of these binary instructions per second, which gives it the illusion of being able to "think." Input, Output, Processing, and Storage The four functions listed above represent most of the ways that data moves through a computer system: Input the computer receives data entered by the user through peripheral devices, such as mice, keyboards, scanners, cameras, and microphones. Processing the data is written to memory and manipulated by the CPU, acting on instructions from the operating system and applications software. Output the processed data is shown or played to the user through an output device, such as a monitor or loudspeaker system. Storage the data may be written to different types of storage devices, such as hard disks or optical discs, because data stored in most types of system memory is only preserved while the computer is powered on. Additionally, most computers are configured in networks, allowing them to exchange data. You can think of networking as a special class of input and output, but it is probably more helpful to conceive of it as a separate function. Page 5 Module 1 / Unit 1 Personal Computers (PC) There are many different types of computer. Some of the first types of mainframe computers created in the 1960s and 1970s are unrecognizable from the sorts of desktop and laptop computers you may be familiar with. The term "Personal Computer" is generally understood to apply to versions of the IBM PC, developed in 1981. The IBM PC was based on a microprocessor or Central Processing Unit (CPU) designed by Intel. This is also called the x86 architecture or platform. This type of computer was fundamentally different to mainframes as it was operated directly by the end user. While technologies and performance have completely transformed what we know as PCs from the boxes available in 1981, most workstation and laptop personal computers designed for home and office use are still based on the IBM PC design and x86 platform. As this PC platform matured, it came to be associated with use of Microsoft's Windows operating system software. Hardware and software development for PCs is often (but not exclusively) undertaken with Windows compatibility in mind. In the last couple of decades however, personal computers have become available as much smaller, more portable devices such as tablets and smartphones. These devices can use different hardware platforms and operating systems. This has been coupled with the growth of the Internet as a global data communications network. As the miniaturization of electronics continues, many "ordinary" appliances and systems are being designed with processing and communications capabilities, creating an Internet of Things (IoT). Desktop and Workstation Computers A workstation type of PC is housed in a case that can sit on or under a desk. Consequently, they are often referred to as desktop PCs or just as desktops. A desktop computer can be used independently by a single user to run powerful software applications with many functions. It can also be used as a network client to access shared resources. PC system showing processing and storage components (within case), input components (keyboard and mouse), and output components (display, speakers, printer). Image © 123rf.com. Page 6  Common Computing Devices Sometimes the terms PC, desktop computer, and workstation are used interchangeably. Quite often however, the term workstation is used to mean a particularly powerful type of desktop computer. Some of a PC's components are attached to a motherboard contained within the computer's case. However, a desktop PC also requires the use of peripheral devices, connected to the motherboard via ports aligned to holes in the case. Some peripheral devices, such as a mouse and keyboard for input and a monitor for output, are essential. Others, such as speakers and microphone or a printer, are optional. The advantage of desktops is that the basic design can be modified with higher or lower specified components and optional features, making a particular model better suited to different tasks. A workstation-class computer with higher specification components, such as CPU and system memory, will cost more but be able to process data faster. The computer's performance is largely determined by the following factors: The speed of the CPU determines the basic speed of the computer. More system memory makes it possible to run more applications simultaneously and process large amounts of data more quickly. The capacity of the main storage drive determines how much data can be stored on the computer when it is switched off. Optional components extend the range of things the computer can do (for example, a sound card makes it possible to play audio while a webcam allows sound and video recording). The quality of peripherals such as the display, mouse, and keyboard make the computer more comfortable to use (this is referred to as ergonomics). We are simplifying a bit here. In fact, the type and speed of the main storage drive also has a big impact on system speed. Legacy hard drives were a serious performance bottleneck, but these are being replaced by solid state drives, which can work much more quickly. Storage devices are discussed in more detail in Unit 3.4. The graphics subsystem is also an important performance factor. Page 7 Module 1 / Unit 1 Desktop PCs can also be purchased as "all-in-one" units. All-in-one means that the computer components (except the keyboard and mouse) are contained within the monitor case. All-in-One PC the system components are all contained within the monitor case. Image © 123rf.com. Servers A server is any computer providing services to other computers, but usually the term server implies a powerful computer that supports a number of users simultaneously in a computer network. Most servers use the same type of components as a desktop. The main difference is that the components are more powerful and more reliable, and consequently more expensive. If a desktop PC stops working, a single user may be unable to do their job; if a server computer stops working, tens or even hundreds of users may not be able to do their jobs. Consequently, servers need to be very reliable. This is achieved by specifying high quality components and also by using extra copies of components for redundancy. This makes a server system fault tolerant. Server systems are also, usually designed to be easy to expand and upgrade with additional or improved components. Very often, server computers use a special type of case designed to fit into a steel rack shelving system. You should also understand that the term server can refer either to hardware or software. A hardware server may be running many software servers and sometimes different types of software servers. Examples of types of software servers include web servers, email Page 8 servers, database servers, authentication servers, and so on. Laptops Common Computing Devices A laptop computer is one that integrates the display, system components, and input/output devices within a single, portable case (or chassis). Distinctive features of a laptop computer, including the built-in screen, Integrated keyboard, touchpad pointer control, and I/O ports (on both sides and rear of chassis). Image © 123rf.com. The main features distinguishing laptops from desktop PCs are: Size and weight laptops weigh between 1 and 4 kg (2 9 lbs). Display type laptops use flat-panel display technologies to provide lightweight, slimline screens that are built into the case. Laptop screen sizes come in the ranges 11 14", 15 16", and 17"+. Input devices the main input devices are integrated into the case, such as a built-in keyboard, a touchpad instead of mouse, and/or a touchscreen. Power source portable computers can be run from internal battery packs as well as from building power. Components laptops often use different system components (CPU, RAM, and graphics) that are smaller, lighter, and draw less power than desktop versions. Networking portable computers use wireless radio technologies to connect to networks rather than cabled connections. Small laptops can also be described as notebooks and subnotebooks, while bigger models are often called "desktop replacements." The term Ultrabook is used for laptops meeting a particular Intel specification for performance, size/weight, and battery life. There are also hybrid laptops that can be used like a tablet (see below) as well as like a traditional laptop. Page 9 Module 1 / Unit 1 PC and Laptop Vendors Most companies producing PCs and laptops are referred to as Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM). This is because rather than making each component that goes into a PC, they source components such as CPUs and RAM modules from manufacturers and put them together as a branded PC system. While there are many vendors serving local and special interest markets, global PC manufacturing is dominated by Dell, Hewlett-Packard (HP)/Compaq, Lenovo (previously IBM's PC division), Acer, and Huawei with Samsung, Sony, Toshiba, and Asus also strong in the laptop and hybrid markets. Another personal computer vendor, Apple, ship Macintosh computers with a different operating system (Apple Mac OS) and a different hardware platform to the IBM PC-compatible vendors. There are also chromebooks, laptops built to run Chrome OS and interface primarily with Google's web apps. The market for server computers is dominated by Dell, HP Enterprise (HPE), and Lenovo. Mobile Devices Many of the uses of PCs and laptops have been superseded by smaller personal devices or by specialized devices. Smartphones and Tablets A smartphone is a device with roughly the same functionality as a personal computer that can be held in one hand. Previous handheld computers, known as Personal Digital Assistants (PDA), and earlier types of mobile phones with some software functionality (feature phones), were hampered by clumsy user interfaces. Modern smartphones use touchscreen displays, making them much easier to operate. Most smartphones have a screen size between 4.5" and 5.7". Typical smartphone form factor. Image © 123rf.com. Prior to the Apple iPad, tablet PCs were usually laptops with touchscreens. The iPad defined a new form factor; smaller than a laptop and with no Page 10  Common Computing Devices Smartphones sized between the 5" and 7" form factors are often called phablets. Many Windows mobile devices adopt a hybrid approach where a laptop can be converted into a tablet by flipping the screen. Microsoft's Surface Pro tablet is available with a detachable keyboard, which can also function as a cover for the screen. Other vendors are also producing "two-in-one" devices that can function as both a laptop and a tablet. The main smartphone and tablet vendors are Apple and Samsung. Other vendors include LG, HTC, Huawei, Motorola/Lenovo, Microsoft, Nokia, Sony, and Amazon. Internet of Things (IoT) Devices Aside from devices easily recognizable as "computers," your home and office are quite likely populated by other consumer electronics devices connected to each other and to the Internet. The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to a world in which many different types of things are embedded with processing and networking functionality. Processing and networking functionality can be provisioned by very small chips, so the "things" can range from motor vehicles and washing machines to clothing and birthday cards. Home Automation Pretty much anything from a clock to an alarm system or a refrigerator can be controlled over the Internet by home automation software, if the appliance or device is "smart." Often, sitting at the heart of this automation, is a hub to which other devices connect. Hubs are usually controlled using voice recognition systems and smartphone apps. Some of the major vendors include Amazon (Alexa voice recognition), Samsung (S Voice), Apple (Siri), and Logitech (working with either Alexa or Google Assistant), but there are many others. One of the critical points in building a "smart" or "digital" home or office solution is ensuring compatibility between the networking or communications standards supported by the hub and the appliances. Most devices support ordinary Wi-Fi standards-based wireless networking, but some may require connectivity standards designed for low power use, such as Z-Wave, ZigBee, or Bluetooth LE. Some of the specific home automation product categories include: Thermostats monitor and adjust your home or office Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) controls from an app installed on your phone. Security systems monitor and control alarms, locks, lighting, and videophone entry systems remotely. IP cameras often used for security, these devices connect to Internet Protocol (IP)-based networks such as the Internet and support direct upload and sync to cloud storage for remote monitoring. Page 11 Module 1 / Unit 1 Home appliances check the contents of your refrigerator from your smartphone while out shopping or start the washing machine cycle so that it has finished just as you get back to your house. Streaming media play content stored on a storage device through any smart speaker or TV connected to the home network. Modern Cars and Drones Modern motor vehicles use a substantial amount of electronics. As well as computer systems to control the vehicle's engine and brakes, there may be embedded systems for in-vehicle entertainment and for navigation (sat-nav) using Global Positioning Systems (GPS) to identify the vehicle's precise location. Some vehicles are now, also fitted with a "black box," or event data recorder, that can log the car's telemetry (acceleration, braking, and position). There are also sophisticated systems to control the vehicle on behalf of the driver, including automatic collision detection and avoidance, and parking assist. Companies are experimenting with fully-automated self-driving or autonomous vehicles. Another rapidly developing sector is that of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV). This sector ranges from full-size fixed wing aircraft to much smaller multi-rotor hover drones. Medical Devices Medical devices represent another class of devices where use of electronics to remotely monitor and configure the appliance is expanding rapidly. It is important to recognize that use of these devices is not confined to hospitals and clinics but includes portable devices such as cardiac monitors/defibrillators and insulin pumps. These allow doctors and nurses to remotely monitor a patient and potentially to adjust dosage levels or other settings without the patient having to visit the care provider. Gaming Consoles A gaming console contains many of the same components as a workstation. Gaming consoles have powerful CPUs and graphics processors, plus Ethernet and Wi-Fi for wired and wireless home networking and Internet connectivity. Web cameras and microphones are also available as peripherals. The main difference to a workstation is that a console is designed to be operated by a gaming pad rather than a keyboard and mouse, though these are often also available as options. A gaming console would use an HD (High Definition) TV for a display. The market for consoles is dominated by Sony (PlayStation), Microsoft (Xbox), and Nintendo (Wii and Switch). There are also handheld game consoles, such as Nintendo's 3DS and Switch, and Sony's Vita. These come with Wi-Fi to connect to the Internet or to other consoles. Page 12  Common Computing Devices Review Questions / Module 1 / Unit 1 / Common Computing Devices Answer these questions to test what you have learned in this unit. 1) True or false? All types of computers use CPU and system memory. 2) What type of computer is most likely to need peripheral devices? 3) What type of computer is best suited for using in a job where you have to make notes and be able to move around easily? 4) Why don't laptops make good servers? 5) Why isn't a smartphone a good tool for writing a report? 6) What type(s) of IoT appliance are less likely to be controlled via a home automation hub? Page 13 Module 1 / Unit 2 Module 1 / Unit 2 Using a Workstation Objectives On completion of this unit, you will be able to: Set up a computer system with regard for safety and healthy working practices. Navigate an OS and use input devices effectively. Syllabus Objectives and Content Examples This unit does not cover specific exam domain objectives or content examples. Page 14 Setting up a PC System Using a Workstation When you install a computer system, you need to consider the following: Is the environment suitable for the computer? Dust, dirt, heat (or extreme cold), and dampness can be very damaging to computers. Is the installation safe for yourself and passers-by? The main risks associated with computer equipment are electrical and trip hazards. Is the installation healthy to use? Improper use of computers, notably the mouse and keyboard, is associated with a number of health risks. Setting up a Personal Computer Given the above, you should perform the following basic steps when setting up a computer. 1) If the computer has just been delivered, check the contents of the box, read the instruction manual, and allow at least 30 60 minutes for the components to adjust to room temperature. There is a slight risk from condensation if you unpack a computer and start it immediately. 2) Read the manufacturer's setup and safety guidelines and plan the installation of the computer to comply with them. 3) Position the monitor and system unit so that cables can be tucked away neatly and do not cross any walkways. When lifting a heavy object such as a monitor, take care to protect your back. Ensure that any object placed on a desk is not at risk of toppling. 4) Ensure there is adequate air flow around the monitor, system unit, and larger peripherals, such as a printer or scanner. 5) Check that the screen is not exposed to excessive glare from windows or lighting and that equipment is not in direct sunlight. 6) Adjust the monitor, chair, and position of the mouse and keyboard so that the user can sit and type comfortably. 7) Connect each peripheral to the computer using an appropriate cable. Inspect each cable and connector for any sign of visible damage before plugging it in. Use any available cable management features to keep wiring tidy and ensure it does not pose a trip hazard. Page 15 Module 1 / Unit 2 Built-in cable management such as on this flat-panel monitor make it less likely trailing wires will cause an accident. You will learn how to identify ports and connectors in Unit 3.2. 8) Connect the power cables from the monitor, system unit, and any peripherals to electrical outlets, again checking that the cables are undamaged and the plugs are fitted with fuses of the correct rating. Ensure that the electrical outlets are not overloaded. 9) Switch on any peripherals connected to the computer that you want to use then switch on the system unit. You start a computer by pressing the power switch, which will be marked by the following symbol:. If the computer does not start, check that a power cable connects the back of the computer to a wall socket and that the socket is switched on. Setting up a Laptop You should follow the same basic principles when using a laptop for the first time. Read the instruction manual and let the system acclimatize if it has just been delivered. You will probably have to insert the battery pack, which should clip into a slot on the underside of the laptop. When you use the laptop for the first time, you will probably have to connect it to the building power supply using the supplied AC adapter to charge the battery. Obviously, you can use a laptop without connecting any peripherals, unlike a desktop computer, but there may be some optional components to plug in. When you have set up the laptop as explained in the documentation, use the catch on the lid to open it. Press the power switch or key with the symbol and wait for the laptop to start. Page 16 Ergonomic Concepts Using a Workstation Ergonomics is the study of factors affecting the performance of people at work. It is well established that a poor working environment can cause certain health problems and decrease productivity. Proper Keyboard and Mouse Placement Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) is a condition that occurs when the same task is carried out repeatedly for a long period, making use of the same muscles continuously. Symptoms can include muscle pain, numbness, tingling, prickly heat, and loss of strength. RSI has been linked with the use of keyboards and mice. When you use a mouse, keep your wrist straight and rest your palm on the body of the mouse. When using a keyboard, keep your forearms parallel with the keyboard. It will help if you learn to touch-type. With both devices, avoid working with your wrists bent, do not hunch your shoulders or bend forward, and take frequent breaks, to stretch or walk around for instance. Ergonomically-designed work area. Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash. Ergonomically designed, angled keyboards and molded mice are designed to reduce the risk of strain injury. Using a mouse mat makes the action of the mouse smoother and is therefore less straining. Sitting Position and Monitor Placement Sitting at a desk in a poor position can cause back pain. This is especially true if you sit for a long period without getting up and stretching. To help prevent back pain, monitors should be adjustable so that they can be positioned at the correct height and chairs should provide support for the back and neck. You should be able to sit up straight with the top of the monitor at or slightly below eye level. You should be able to rest your feet flat on the floor comfortably and your thighs should be parallel with the floor. You should be able to hold your forearms level with the desk. As you work, try to avoid hunching your shoulders forward and remember to take frequent breaks to stretch your arms and legs. Page 17 Module 1 / Unit 2 Position the monitor so that you can sit up straight. Photo by Samule Sun on Unsplash. If you need to type a lot of text from a source document, use a copyholder to position the source text at eye-level rather than flat on the desk. For more detailed advice, read HP's Safety & Comfort Guide at hp.com/ergo. Navigating an OS The main function of an operating system such as Microsoft Windows is to provide a stable environment for different software applications to work together. The operating system controls access to the computer hardware; applications software can only access the computer hardware via functions of the OS. An OS provides tools for configuring the hardware, such as the Settings app in Windows. The OS also provides file management tools and can include a number of utilities. For example, Windows includes a text editor (Notepad), picture editor (Paint), a word processor (WordPad), a calculator, some games, and so on. CompTIA ITF+ is a vendor-neutral exam, so you will not be asked detailed questions on how Windows works. The practical elements in this course are to help you learn to use an operating system and use Microsoft Windows 10 as an example. If you use a different version of Windows at home (or even a different operating system), you should find that many of the skills you learn are transferable, with a bit of effort. One of the first set of tasks to master is to be able to sign in to Windows, start applications, and use the features of the desktop. Page 18 Signing in to Windows Using a Workstation Some text or a logo may be displayed on-screen while the computer starts up ("boots"). The computer performs a Power-On Self-Test (POST) to check that the main components work and then loads Windows. After a minute or so, a screen prompting you to sign in to the computer is displayed. A sign in means that changes you make to the desktop are saved as your own personal settings. It may also give you access to resources on a computer network. At work, you will be given a sign in ID (a user name and password) by your IT Department. At home you will create user accounts for yourself and your family. Signing in using a password that only you know means that you are authenticated as the valid owner of the computer account. See Unit 1.3 for more details on creating accounts. 1) When Windows 10 has loaded, the Lock Screen is displayed. Press a key, click the mouse, or (if you have a touchscreen) swipe to open the sign in prompt. Windows 10 lock screen press a key or click with the mouse to start sign in. Screenshot used with permission from Microsoft. On an enterprise network or earlier version of Windows, you may need to press CTRL+ALT+DEL to access the sign in prompt. Page 19 Module 1 / Unit 2 2) The sign in prompt displays the last user account that accessed the machine. If necessary, click the icon representing your account on the left of the display. Windows sign in screen. Enter a password or click the appropriate user icon to sign in with a different account. Each account is represented by its own name and, optionally, a picture. Screenshot used with permission from Microsoft. 3) With your user name shown, type your password into the box. What you type will be shown as black dots so that no one else can see your password. Note that the password is case-sensitive. 4) Point to the arrow button then click once (or press ENTER). Windows will start and, after a few seconds, the desktop is shown. Windows 10 uses a feature called Windows Hello to provide support for sign in by using a PIN or by using biometrics, such as fingerprint scanning or facial recognition. You can configure Windows Hello in Settings, provided that you have appropriate hardware installed for supporting the biometric authentication mechanisms you want to use. See Unit 5.3 for more information about different authentication methods. Page 20 Using the Desktop and Taskbar Using a Workstation The desktop contains several tools to help you start and switch between software applications. The desktop itself can contain shortcut icons used to open applications, folders, and files. Windows 10 desktop showing 1) Shortcut icon; 2) Start button; 3) Start Screen with apps and tiles; 4) Programs pinned to the taskbar; 5) Notification area. Screenshot used with permission from Microsoft. The taskbar is principally used to manage open windows (applications and files). It is usually positioned at the bottom of the desktop and may only appear when you point the mouse at the bottom of the screen. If the taskbar is not locked (using taskbar settings), it can be dragged to different sides of the screen and resized using the mouse. The Automatically hide the taskbar in desktop mode setting makes the taskbar disappear unless the cursor is pointing at it. When you run applications, each program appears as an icon on the taskbar. You can click the icons to switch between windows. Alternatively, hold the ALT key then press TAB to cycle through the windows or on a touch-enabled screen, swipe from the left edge. You can also click the Task View button to list running programs. This is located to the right of the search box on the taskbar. Page 21 Module 1 / Unit 2 Each icon has a shortcut menu, allowing you to close the program or access recently used documents. Pointing at an icon shows a preview of any open windows, which you can select by clicking. Right-clicking an icon exposes a context menu which you can use to perform functions that relate to that icon. For example, right-clicking the icon for Microsoft Word exposes pinned and recently opened document files. The taskbar also contains "pinned" icons for frequently used programs, such as email and web browser. Pinned items always remain on the taskbar. A program with open windows is shown with a highlight. You can add, remove, or reposition pinned items by dragging and dropping. Notification area in Windows 10. Screenshot used with permission from Microsoft. The Notification Area on the right-hand side of the taskbar displays the current time and icons for programs that run without a window, such as anti- virus software, the volume control, battery meter, network status, and so on. These icons have shortcut menus for enabling, disabling, and configuring the related application or setting. You can configure what displays in the notification area and also control application notification settings. On a touchscreen, swiping in from the right of the screen is another way of showing notifications. Page 22 Using the Start Screen Using a Workstation The Start Screen in Windows 10, or Start Menu in earlier versions, is used to manage apps and PC settings and launch desktop software applications. It is accessed by clicking the Start button on the left-hand side of the taskbar or by pressing the START key. Windows 10 Start Screen in Tablet mode. Screenshot used with permission from Microsoft. The Start screen displays in full screen mode if your computer is in tablet mode, otherwise, it displays as a menu. Tablet mode is selected automatically (by default) on hybrid laptop/tablet devices. For example, removing the keyboard from a Microsoft Surface tablet or folding the screen of an HP X360 device over through 360 degrees puts Windows 10 into tablet mode. You can use Windows 10 settings to manually select tablet mode and to configure these automatic behaviors. To display all applications in tablet mode, click the All apps icon on the upper left of the display. In desktop mode, all applications are displayed in Start on the left side without intervention by the user. Page 23 Module 1 / Unit 2 Viewing installed apps from the Start Screen in Windows 10 in tablet mode. Screenshot used with permission from Microsoft. Apps are installed and managed by using the Microsoft Store app. Desktop software programs are managed with Control Panel. See Unit 2.2 for more information about different types of software. Any app, program, or file can be launched from the Start Screen by typing its name and selecting the icon from the list of search results. The Search box is on the taskbar next to Start. Launching applications by using search. Screenshot used with permission from Microsoft. Page 24 Customizing the Start Screen and Taskbar Using a Workstation You can configure the look and behavior of the tiles showing in Start. Select Start > All Apps, right-click the application you want to configure, and select Pin to Start. After a tile is pinned, you can configure it. Right-click the tile and then choose from the following options: Unpin from Start. Resize (Select from Small, Medium, Large, and Wide). Uninstall. More (for Microsoft Store apps) select from Turn Live Tile Off, Pin to taskbar, Rate and review, Share. More (for desktop applications) select from Pin to taskbar, Run as administrator, Open file location. Configuring tiles. Screenshot used with permission from Microsoft. Once you have pinned and configured your tiles on Start, you can group the tiles. If you want to create a new group for your tiles, drag one of the tiles to an unused area. Drag additional tiles to the new group. You can drag tiles between groups if you want to move them. Hover your mouse above the new group of tiles and type a name for your group. Page 25 Module 1 / Unit 2 You can set options for how the taskbar and Start Menu are displayed. Select Start > Settings > Personalization, and click Start or Taskbar as required. Configuring taskbar settings. Screenshot used with permission from Microsoft. Using Input Devices To operate a PC, you need to be familiar with the operation of input devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, and touchscreen. Using a Mouse or Touchpad The mouse or touchpad is used to select and move objects on the desktop and in windows. Moving the mouse (or moving your finger on a pad) moves the cursor. To select an object such as an icon, point to it with the cursor then click the main mouse button once. To open an object, double-click it with the main mouse button. You can configure the main mouse button as either the left or right button depending on whether you are right- or left-handed. See Unit 3.2 for notes on configuring mouse properties. Page 26  Using a Workstation A touchpad will come with buttons and may also support tapping the surface of the pad to perform a mouse click. To select commands in menus and dialogs, point to the command or button and click the main mouse button once. To select the shortcut menu for an object, point the cursor at it then click with the second mouse button (right-click). Laptop touchpad note the scroll areas and left and right buttons. Image © 123rf.com. To move an icon or window, point to it and hold down the main mouse button. Move the mouse to the target then release the button. This process is called Drag and Drop. To scroll within a window, rotate the scroll wheel or drag your finger in the marked scroll area of the touchpad. Page 27 Module 1 / Unit 2 Using a Keyboard The keyboard is used for simple typing and also to issue commands. Ideally, you should learn to touch type. This will make operating the computer more comfortable and efficient. To touch type, you use the A to F and J to ; keys as a "base" for your fingers. Once you have learned the position of the other keys, you can reach for them without looking. For example, you use the little finger on your left hand to press Q then return it to rest on A. Most keyboards designed for use with Latin scripts use the QWERTY key layout. There are different layouts though, such as the small differences between US and UK layouts, the Dvorak alternative layout for Latin script, and keyboards for different scripts, such as Cyrillic. It is important that the keyboard type is set correctly in the OS. See Unit 3.2 for notes on configuring keyboard properties. Additionally, hot keys or key combinations can be used to navigate between and around windows. If you are not familiar with a computer keyboard, take some time to identify some of the special keys: ENTER (or RETURN) is usually used to confirm a command. ESC can often be used to cancel a command. CTRL and ALT are often used with other keys to activate a special command. The ALT key also activates an application's menu. You can navigate menus using the underlined access keys or using the ARROW keys. Special keys on a PC keyboard. Image © 123rf.com. Menus in Windows 10 are not shown until you press the ALT key. Most other software applications show the menu all the time. Page 28  TAB can be used in a Using a Workstation window to move to the next pane. SHIFT+TAB moves back. Use the ARROW keys and the PAGE UP / DOWN, HOME, and END to navigate between icons or within a text file. The SHIFT key is used to type capitals or the superscript symbol shown on the key. You can toggle CAPS LOCK on and off to type in capitals without holding down SHIFT. You can also use the SHIFT key with the ARROW keys Press ALT to show menus and use the underlined access keys or arrow keys to navigate and ENTER to select an to select multiple icons. item. Screenshot used with permission from Microsoft. When NUM LOCK is off, the keypad works like the ARROW keys; when it is on, the keypad works like a calculator keypad. On a laptop keyboard, there might not be a separate numeric keypad. In this case, keypad functions marked on normal keys can be toggled on or off. Press START to display the Start Screen or Start Menu and enable Instant Search. Press SHORTCUT to display a context menu for the selected object. The function keys (F1, F2, and so on) perform special actions (for example, F1 always activates the help file for an application). BACKSPACE deletes the character to the left in a document or returns to the previous window. DELETE erases the character to the right or deletes an icon when working within a window. On a laptop, use the FN key to operate commands marked on other keys in a color accent. These perform laptop-specific functions, such as toggling the display or switching the wireless radio on or off. Using a Touchscreen Most portable devices can be operated using a touchscreen. Touchscreen input is made by performing gestures or using the on-screen keyboard. Some of the basic Windows 10 gestures are as follows: Tap pressing once is the same as a left mouse click. Tap and hold this is equivalent to a right-mouse click. For example, you might swipe to select some content then tap and hold the selection to open a "copy" command. This might also be implemented as a two-finger tap. Page 29 Module 1 / Unit 2 Pinch and stretch using two fingers, either pinch them together to zoom in or move them apart (stretch) to zoom out. Swipe as noted above, swiping from a particular screen edge performs different actions. Swiping within an app window can also perform custom actions, such as moving from page to page or screen to screen. Swiping down from the top of the app window usually refreshes the content. Most touchpads also have gesture support. Recognizing Desktop Icons You need to be familiar with some of the standard types of objects and interface controls you see on-screen. Icons are the pictures used in an operating system to represent folders, files, and other system objects. The main types of icons are as follows: File (or document) icons data files have the picture of the application used to edit the file on them. There are hundreds of different types but the icon shows what type of data is in the file (text, pictures, or music for instance) and which application is used to open it. Shortcut icons links to a file have an arrow icon superimposed. Do not confuse a shortcut for the file itself. You can delete the shortcut at any time without losing the information in the file itself. In Windows, shortcuts to all your programs are located in the Start Menu or Start Screen. Programs may also put shortcuts on the desktop, and you can add desktop shortcuts to files or folders that you use often. Folder icons folders are used to store and organize files. The type of icon also indicates what the folder contains (documents, pictures, subfolders, and so on). Page 30  Using a Workstation Application icons these are the files that contain the program itself. Contrast Word's program file shown here with the icon for a Word document file shown above. Device icons hard disk drives store data saved or installed on the computer. Removable drives have different icons, such as an optical drive or USB thumb drive. You may also see an icon for printers and other devices connected to the computer. Hard Disk, Blu-Ray/DVD Drive, and Printer icons. Screenshot used with permission from Microsoft. If you allow it, Windows can display vendor-specific icons for compatible devices by downloading the image from the Internet. Working with Windows Every desktop application runs in a window. You can open multiple windows and switch between them. All windows share some basic features in common. Some windows are split into multiple panes; click or press TAB and SHIFT+TAB to navigate between them. If the window is not large enough to display its contents, a scroll bar is shown. Click the arrows or click the button on the scroll bar to move it (or use the scroll wheel on the mouse). The application controls are displayed as toolbars and/or a menu bar at the top of the window. Microsoft prefers the use of buttons or tools on a "ribbon" that combines the functions of a menu bar and toolbar. A menu bar may only be shown if you press the ALT key. The Status bar shows useful information about whatever is selected in the rest of the window. When selecting files, you can enter information about the file here. Page 31 Module 1 / Unit 2 A window can either fill the whole desktop or occupy a part of it. This is done by clicking the Maximize /Restore button. To resize a window, you can click-and-drag on the window's border. To move a window, click-and-drag the title bar. Right-clicking the taskbar gives you options for arranging windows in a single pattern. The Minimize button hides the window from the desktop. You can re- activate it by clicking its taskbar icon. You can also use the taskbar to switch between windows. Typical window layout with 1) Title bar; 2) Control icons; 3) Menu bar and toolbars; 4) Panes; 5) Scroll bars. Screenshot used with permission from Microsoft. Right-click an empty part of the taskbar. If you right-click a window button, you will get a different shortcut menu. When working with a window, you can "shake" it to clear the desktop of other windows or drag it to the edge of the screen to "snap" it to an appropriate size relative to other windows. You can work with several programs at the same time, but you should note that each program takes up memory. If you open too many windows, your computer will slow down. If you have finished using a program, close the window to free up resources. To close a window, either select Close or Exit from the File menu, click the Close button , or press ALT+F4. Page 32  Using a Workstation Review Questions / Module 1 / Unit 2 / Using a Workstation Answer these questions to test what you have learned in this unit. 1) What should you do before attempting to set up a new computer system? 2) When setting up a desktop computer, what factor should you consider when deciding on the location of the system case? 3) What factors should you consider when positioning input and output devices? 4) You have to sign in to Windows does it matter if the CAPS LOCK light on the keyboard is activated? 5) You have to open a word processing application but you cannot see an icon on the desktop. What should you do? 6) Your colleague has to run many applications at the same time and finds it difficult to know which icon to choose when switching between them. What alternative method could you suggest? 7) Your colleague is using a laptop and you notice that he laboriously clicks the mouse repeatedly to scroll through the document you are co-editing. What technique could he use to be more productive? Page 33 Module 1 / Unit 2 Lab 1 / Setting up the Computer If you happen to have a new computer, complete this lab to set it up correctly. If you are already using a computer, run through the steps to check that it is set up safely. 1) Read the PC's instruction manual and make sure the contents listed on the box are all present. 2) Put the system unit on the desk or floor remember the following points: Close enough to an electrical outlet. Close enough to your desk so that cables for the mouse and keyboard are not stretched. 6" space around the unit for air to circulate freely. Not positioned close to a radiator and ideally not exposed to direct sunlight. 3) Position the monitor on your desk and adjust it and your chair so that the top of the screen is level with your eyes. 4) Connect the monitor to the port on the system unit, using the connector as shown in your system documentation. 5) Connect the mouse and keyboard to the ports on the system unit, using the connector as shown in your system documentation. 6) Try to keep the cables tidy so that they do not trail under your desk or cross walkways. 7) Plug the monitor into a building power outlet or into the power socket on the system unit (check the system documentation to find out how the monitor is powered). 8) Plug the power cable into the back of the system unit and then into the building power. Turn on the building power wall switch. 9) Press the power switch on the monitor then the power switch on the PC. 10) Wait for the computer to start ("boot"). As the PC powers up, listen and look for the following signs that the computer is operating normally: Power LED comes on Fans start spinning Single short beep (most computers these days do not beep though) Hard disk activity (LED flickers and there may be some soft noise [grinding or clicking indicates a problem]) Page 34  Using a Workstation Lab 2 / Navigating the Windows User Interface In this lab, you will sign in to your computer and explore the features of the Start Screen, desktop, and taskbar. If you are using a new computer, a wizard may run to help you set up your computer (choose a user name and password and so on). Refer to the computer's setup guide to complete this, then continue with the lab. It is assumed you are using Windows 10 Spring Creators Update (1803). If you are not, steps might vary slightly. Exercise 1 / Exploring the Start Screen In this exercise, you will learn to navigate around the Start Screen. 1) Press a key to open the privacy shade then, if necessary, click the icon representing your computer account. 2) With your account name and picture showing, type your password. Remember that this is case-sensitive, so upper and lower case characters are treated as different. 3) Press ENTER or click the arrow button. Wait for the desktop to load. 4) Point to the Start button and click once to show the Start Screen menu. 5) On the right-hand side of the taskbar, click Notifications and then click Tablet mode. Notice that Start is now displayed as a full screen. 6) At the top of the Start Screen on the left-hand side, click All Apps then locate and click the Tips tile. 7) Take a few minutes to read the various articles. 8) Press the START key to switch to the Start Screen again. 9) Back on the main part of the Start Screen practice customizing the tile layout: Drag tiles to new positions. Right-click or long finger-press to resize a tile. 10) From the Start Screen, if you have a touchscreen, swipe from the right edge to view Notifications. Otherwise, click Notifications on the taskbar. 11) Click Tablet mode to switch back to desktop mode. 12) Click the Tips window icon on the taskbar. Page 35 Module 1 / Unit 2 13) Click the Close button on the top-right corner of the window to exit the app. 14) Click Start, click Settings and then click Personalization. You can make any changes you want to the pictures and colors used on the desktop. 15) Close the Settings app when you have finished. Exercise 2 / Exploring the Desktop and Taskbar In this exercise, you will explore the features of the desktop and taskbar. 1) Press the START key to switch to the Start Screen. 2) Open the Photos tile. If prompted to add a Microsoft account, click the Close button to cancel the dialog. Photos is an example of a Microsoft Store app. In Windows 10 (1709 and later), all apps, even those downloaded from the Microsoft Store display in a window on the desktop. 3) Click Start and then type paint, then click the icon that appears in the search results. This loads the Paint application. This is an example of a desktop application. 4) In Paint, create a picture; perhaps of a boat sailing on the sea. 5) When you have created a picture, click the File menu on the ribbon once. Move the mouse down the menu to point to the Save command and click once. 6) Enter a file name of The Sea, double-click the Pictures folder, and then click the Save button. 7) Press the keys START+E together (hold down START and press E then release both at the same time). This should open a File Explorer window. Note the file you created is listed under "Recent files." 8) Double-click the Pictures folder to view the file where you saved it. There are various ways to switch between windows when you have more than one open. 9) Look at the taskbar you should see underlined icons for the three windows you have open. Note the difference between open windows and icons that have been "pinned" to the taskbar but that aren't currently running. Also, the active (currently selected) window is shown with a highlight. 10) Click the icons to switch between the windows. Right-click the icons to observe their shortcut menus (do not select anything from the menus though). Page 36 11) Try using the ALT+TAB keyboard shortcut. Hold down the ALT key then Using a Workstation press-and-release TAB. This shows a list of open desktop windows and Start Screen apps. Still holding ALT, press TAB again and keep pressing it to cycle through the icons until you have found one you want to look at. Release the ALT key to open the selected app or window. Using Alt+Tab to switch between windows. Screenshot used with permission from Microsoft. Finally, you can use Task View to switch between windows. 12) Press START+TAB or click the taskbar icon to open Task View. Alternatively, if you have a touchscreen, you can swipe from the left edge. Task View shows previews of all open windows, whether they are minimized or not. You can also use Task View to configure multiple desktops, but we won't explore that feature here. In Windows 10 (1803), you'll also see a timeline of previously used apps. You can choose to sync this with other devices, via a Microsoft account. 13) Click the Photos app to select it. 14) Press START+D or click the empty space on the taskbar to the right of the date and time to minimize all windows. You can also use START+D to return to the desktop from the Start Screen quickly. 15) Press START+D to show all the windows again then practice using the window control icons to maximize, restore, and minimize them. 16) Practice arranging windows on the desktop: Using its title bar, drag the File Explorer window to the left edge. Select the Paint window to display alongside it. Drag the Paint window out of its current position and then to the top of the screen to maximize it. Drag the Paint window back to the middle of the screen to restore the window size then use the window borders to resize it manually. Drag the title bar on the Paint window then shake the window to minimize all other windows. Shake again to restore them. Page 37 Module 1 / Unit 2 17) Close all the open windows using either the button or by pressing ALT+F4. You can close minimized windows from the taskbar by right-clicking and selecting Close window. 18) Point to each of the icons in the Notification Area in turn. A ScreenTip will be displayed to identify each one. 19) Right-click an empty part of the taskbar and select Taskbar settings. This opens a dialog to configure the taskbar. 20) Browse the options on the Taskbar tab. 21) Click the Start tab. Start settings. Screenshot used with permission from Microsoft. 22) Browse the options. When you have finished using the computer, you should shut it down. 23) Open the Start Screen, click the Power icon in the bottom-left. Select Shut down from the submenu. Page 38 Module 1 / Unit 3 Using an OS Using an OS Objectives On completion of this unit, you will be able to: Distinguish between different types of operating systems designed for workstations, servers, mobiles, embedded systems, and virtualization. Identify commonly used commercial and open source operating systems, such as Windows, macOS, iOS, Linux, Chrome, and Android. Use a browser to view websites. Syllabus Objectives and Content Examples This unit covers the following exam domain objectives and content examples: 3.1 Explain the purpose of operating systems. Types of OS (Mobile device OS, Workstation OS, Server OS, Embedded OS, Firmware, Hypervisor [Type 1]) Page 39 Module 1 / Unit 3 Functions of an Operating System A computer requires an Operating System (OS) in order to function. The operating system provides interfaces between the hardware, application programs, and the user. The OS handles many of the basic system functions, such as interaction with the system hardware and input/output. Interface Between User and Computer One of the basic functions of an OS is to provide an interface between the user and the computer. This type of interface is referred to as a shell. The earliest operating systems for PCs, such as Microsoft's Disk Operating System (DOS), used a command-line interface or simple menu systems. Windows and later applications were marked by the use of a Graphical User Interface (GUI). This helped to make computers easier to use by non-technical staff and home users. Actually, some DOS applications presented a GUI (of a kind). Windows is sometimes described as a WIMP (Window, Icon, Menu, Pointing device) interface. Consequently, an OS may have more than one shell. For example, it might have a graphical shell, allowing users to select commands via icons and menus, and it might have a command line shell, allowing the user to access functions by typing commands. A shell will allow the user to configure the computer hardware, install and manage software applications, and access programs and files. Interface Between Applications and Hardware Another function of an OS is to "drive" the computer hardware. OS software is built from a kernel of core functions with additional driver software and system utility applications. Each hardware component requires a driver to work. The OS is responsible for identifying the components installed on the PC and loading drivers to enable the user to configure and use them. One fundamental difference between computer systems is the "size" of the instructions that the Central Processing Unit (CPU) can process. Through the 1990s and early 2000s, most computers and software were based around processing 32-bit instructions. Most CPUs released in the last few years can work in either 32-bit or 64-bit mode. 64-bit mode is not necessarily that much faster, but it can address more memory. A computer with a 64-bit CPU can run either 64-bit operating systems and 64- bit and/or 32-bit applications or a 32-bit operating system and 32-bit applications. A computer with a 32-bit CPU cannot run 64-bit OS or applications software at all. Page 40 An OS provides a common environment within which different software Using an OS applications can run. Application software is the programs that allow users to perform different tasks, such as web browsing, email, and word processing. With an OS, application software developers do not need to worry about writing routines to access the hard disk or send a document to a printer; they simply "call" functions of the OS that allow them to do these things. This allows application software designers to concentrate on application functions and makes the computer more reliable. One consequence of this is that there are relatively few operating systems, as it takes a lot of work to produce software applications that will work with different systems. Application vendors have to decide which operating systems they will support. Changes to an operating system have to be made very carefully in order to remain compatible with previous generations of software and hardware. Eventually though, the OS may change so much that legacy software will no longer work. System Health and Functionality As mentioned above, an OS comes with a kernel and driver files that provide the core functionality of interacting with the hardware. Operating systems also ship with additional utility software that allows the user to configure and monitor the computer. One class of utility software is that which allows the user to monitor system health and performance. An OS might provide logs to record system events or trigger alerts. Performance monitoring tools would allow the user to find out if a component is "overworked" and might require upgrading or if a software application or driver is faulty. Data Management Another class of utility software provides an interface between the user and the storage devices and mechanisms available to the computer. In a computer, information is stored as files. There are many different types of files. The OS and software applications are made up of executable and configuration files. Users can also create data files in different formats using different software applications. Files must be saved to some sort of persistent storage, such as a hard disk. To organize files on a storage device, the OS creates a directory (or folder) structure. Files are saved to the storage device within a particular directory. Operating systems may also provide tools for the user to manage directories, allowing them to create directories and move or copy files between them. Page 41 Module 1 / Unit 3 Types of Operating System While they share the same basic functions, there are many different types of operating systems. These support different commercial models and types of devices. Workstation, Server, and Mobile Device OS A workstation OS is one that runs a traditional desktop PC or laptop. Examples include Microsoft Windows, Apple OS X/macOS, Linux, and Chrome OS. The market for workstation operating systems is divided into three main sections: Enterprise client designed to work as a client in business networks. Network Operating System (NOS) or server OS designed to run on servers in business networks. Home client designed to work on standalone or workgroup PCs and laptops in a home or small office. This will also allow each client to run some basic peer-to-peer network services, such as file sharing. A mobile device OS is one designed for handheld devices, such as smartphones and tablets. The principal mobile operating systems are Apple iOS and Android. A workstation OS can normally be uninstalled and replaced with a different kind of OS. For example, you could remove Microsoft Windows from a PC and install Linux instead. This is not typically possible with a mobile device OS. A smartphone or tablet can only run the OS it was designed for. A server OS, such as Windows Server, Linux, or UNIX, is often based on similar code to its workstation OS equivalent. For example, Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016 are very similar in terms of the OS kernel. A server OS is likely to include software packages (or roles) to run network services and use different licensing to support more users. A server OS is also likely to have a simpler command-line interface, rather than a GUI, to make it more secure and reliable. Open Source versus Commercial A commercial OS means that the user must purchase a license to install and use the OS software on a particular device. The programming code used to design the operating system is kept a secret by the developer. Microsoft Windows, Apple macOS, and Apple iOS are examples of commercial operating systems. Page 42 Open source means that the programming code used to design the software Using an OS is freely available. Open source doesn't necessarily mean available for free (although many distributions are); it means that developers are free to make changes to the way the operating system works, so long as they make the changes they have made available in turn. Some software vendors are reluctant to make their source code available to third parties fearing piracy, infringement of copyright, and loss of market position. This means that users of these systems must wait for the vendor to make the modifications they need, if they make them at all. The open source model claims to make improvements to software available more quickly and cost-effectively. UNIX, Linux, and Android are examples of open source operating systems. Embedded OS With a workstation, laptop, or server, you can delete the operating system and install a different one. These are general purpose types of computer systems capable of running software to perform a variety of different tasks. An embedded system by contrast is a computer or appliance designed for a very specific function. These systems can be as contained as a microcontroller in an intravenous drip-rate meter or as large and complex as an industrial control system managing a water treatment plant. You could also think of home automation hubs, smart TVs, and gaming consoles as running an embedded OS in that the OS that ships with the device cannot usually be changed. These devices do have more scope for modification than the more industrial embedded systems though. You can install apps and games, add peripheral devices, and configure network connectivity for instance. Embedded systems are typically static environments. A PC is a dynamic environment. The user can add or remove programs and data files, install new hardware components, and upgrade the operating system. The static environment provided by an embedded OS does not allow or require such frequent changes. Many embedded systems operate devices, such as drip meters or flow valves, that perform acutely time-sensitive tasks. The kernels or operating systems that run these devices must be much more stable and reliable than the OS that runs a desktop computer or server. Embedded systems typically cannot tolerate reboots or crashes and must have response times that are predictable to within microsecond tolerances. Consequently, these systems often use differently engineered platforms called Real Time Operating Systems (RTOS). Page 43 Module 1 / Unit 3 Firmware In an embedded system, the embedded OS acts as firmware. It provides all the functions for interacting with the device hardware. The term "firmware" is used because unlike regular software, the firmware is not designed to be continually changed. Firmware can support updates, but such updates or configuration changes are supposed to be infrequent. Workstations, laptops, and servers also use a type of firmware. Such PC firmware provides a low-level interface to allow the OS to load and take control of the PC's components. There are two types of PC firmware: The Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) provides industry standard firmware that operates the essential components of the PC and ensures that the design of each manufacturer's motherboard is PC compatible. Newer motherboards may use a different kind of firmware called Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI). UEFI provides support for 64-bit CPU operation at boot, a full GUI and mouse operation at boot, and better boot security. A computer with UEFI may also support booting in a legacy BIOS mode. Additionally, some of the PC system components, notably graphics adapters, storage devices, and network controllers, will have their own firmware. Most peripheral devices also contain firmware. Lastly, network devices, such as Internet routers and wireless access points, also run from firmware. Virtualization For most of the history of the microcomputer, a single computer has been able to run a single operating system at any one time. This makes multiple applications available on that computer (whether it be a workstation or server), but the applications must all share a common environment. Virtualization means that multiple operating systems can be installed and run simultaneously on a single computer. A virtual platform requires at least three components: Computer(s) the physical machine (or host) that provides the resources, such as CPU and memory, for the virtual environment. Hypervisor (or Virtual Machine Monitor [VMM]) manages the virtual machine environment and facilitates interaction with the host hardware and network. There are two main classes of hypervisor: A Type I (or "bare metal") hypervisor is installed directly on the computer and interacts directly with its hardware. A Type II hypervisor runs as a software application within a host operating system. The host operating system retains direct control of the hardware and the hypervisor must request use of it through the host OS. Page 44  Guest operating systems (or Virtual Machines [VM]) operating systems Using an OS installed under the virtual environment. The number of operating systems is generally only restricted by hardware capacity. The hypervisor may also restrict the type of operating systems that can be installed. The presence of other guest operating systems can be completely transparent to any single OS. Each OS "thinks" it is working with a normal CPU, memory, hard disk, and network link. The guest operating systems can be networked together or they may be able to share data directly through the hypervisor (though this is not commonly done for security reasons). Virtualization is used on network servers to utilize the hardware more efficiently. Virtualization software can also be used on desktop computers for various purposes. Some typical uses of desktop virtualization are: Virtual labs create a research lab to analyze viruses, worms, and Trojans. As the malware is contained within the guest OS, it cannot infect the researcher's computer or network. Support legacy software applications if the host computers have been upgraded, software may not work well with the new operating system. In this scenario, the old OS can be installed as a VM and the application software accessed using the VM. Development environment test software applications under different operating systems and resource constraints. Training lab environments can be set up so that students can practice using a live operating system and software without impacting the production environment. At the end of the lab, changes to the VM can be discarded so the original environment is available again for the next student to use. Windows 10 Professional and Enterprise editions are bundled with virtualization software (Hyper-V). Third-party products include VMware and VirtualBox. The hypervisor determines the resources allocated to a virtual machine. Screenshot used with permission from Microsoft. Page 45 Module 1 / Unit 3 Microsoft Windows Microsoft Windows is the dominant commercial workstation OS, estimated to be installed on 90% of the world's desktop and laptop computers. The Windows Server OS is also widely used on PC servers. Like most software, Windows and Windows Server have been released in a number of versions over the years. Historically, a new version would have to be purchased, though upgrade discounts are usually available. A new version may introduce significant changes in the look of Windows and add new features and support for new types of hardware. On the downside, a new version may not be compatible with hardware and software applications designed for earlier versions. Windows 10 Windows 10, first released in 2015, is the current version. In fact, Microsoft indicated that they would no longer release new versions of Windows, but would instead maintain Windows 10 with feature updates on a periodic basis. Thus, the current version of Windows (at the time of writing) is still Windows 10. T updates to the operating system. Windows 10 (1803) desktop. Screenshot used with permission from Microsoft. Feature updates for Windows 10 are identified with a name and number. For example, in July 2016, Microsoft released a Windows 10 feature update called Windows 10 Anniversary Update. This release was identified with a number: 1607. This number corresponds to the year and month of release. Therefore, the full name of the current version of Windows 10 at the time of writing (June 2018) is Windows 10 Spring Creators Update (1803), replacing the Fall Page 46 Creators Update (1709). In addition to feature updates, Windows is updated periodically with quality Using an OS updates. Quality updates do not usually make radical changes to Windows, though some do include new features. Quality updates might sometimes cause compatibility problems with some hardware devices and software applications, but this is less likely than with feature updates. Windows 10 aims to provide a consistent user experience across different types of devices, including desktop PCs, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Older Windows Versions Windows 10 is the successor to Windows 8 (2012) and Windows 8.1 (2013). Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 imposed significant user interface changes to provide better support for touchscreens, but not all of these changes were popular with users familiar with Windows 7. Windows 10 addressed this feedback and was also made available as a free upgrade to Windows 8. Consequently, Windows 10 very quickly replaced Windows 8 and Windows 8 is not that widely used, having about 7% market share at the time of writing. Windows 8 was swiftly updated to Windows 8.1 to address some issues with the interface. Any reference to Windows 8 in this course can be taken to mean Windows 8.1. There was never a Windows 9. Prior to Windows 8 there were Windows 7 (2009), Windows Vista (2007), and Windows XP (2001). Windows 7 is still widely used, with an estimated installation base of around 45% of all PCs. Despite no longer being officially supported by Microsoft, Windows XP is still installed on about 5% of devices. Windows Vista never achieved a significant market share. Windows 7 desktop. Screenshot used with permission from Microsoft. Page 47 Module 1 / Unit 3 Windows Editions Each version of Windows is available in different editions. Editions are used by Microsoft to create different markets for Windows. Windows 7 editions included Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate. Windows 10 is available in the following editions: Windows 10 Home designed for domestic consumers and Small Office Home Office (SOHO) business use. The home edition cannot be used to join a corporate Windows domain network. Windows 10 Pro designed for small and medium-sized businesses. The Professional edition comes with networking and management features designed to allow network administrators more control over each client device. Windows 10 Enterprise/Windows 10 Enterprise (Long Term Servicing Channel) similar to the Pro edition but designed for licensing by medium and large enterprises. Windows 10 Education/Pro Education variants of the Enterprise and Pro editions designed for licensing by schools and colleges. 64-bit Windows Each version and edition of Windows is available as 32-bit or 64-bit (x64) software. 64-bit editions of Windows can run most 32-bit applications software, though there may be some exceptions (you should check with the software vendor). The reverse is not true however; a 32-bit version of Windows cannot run 64-bit applications software. 64-bit editions of Windows also require 64-bit hardware device drivers authorized ("signed") by Microsoft. If the vendor has not produced a 64-bit driver, the hardware device will not be usable. Windows 10 Mobile Microsoft has developed versions of Windows for mobile devices, including Windows CE, Windows Phone 7, and Windows Phone 8. None of these have enjoyed the same sort of success as Windows has in the PC market. With Windows 10 Mobile, Microsoft has adopted a consistent user interface and code base across all types of device. Windows 10 Mobile has a very small smartphone market share compared to Android and iOS. Microsoft develops and sells Windows 10 Mobile smartphones and Surface tablets. Page 48 Apple macOS and iOS Using an OS In 1984, when the IBM PC was the dominant desktop standard, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak created a new type of personal computer the Apple Macintosh (or Mac). It was revolutionary because it came with a graphical user interface at a time when IBM's PC used the command-line DOS operating system. The Mac has never matched Windows' huge user base, although its current incarnation does have a truly devoted following. Apple Mac OS/OS X/macOS The main difference between Mac OS and other operating systems is that the OS is only supplied with Apple-built computers. You cannot purchase Mac OS and install it on an ordinary PC. This helps to make Mac OS stable but does mean that there is far less choice in terms of buying extra hardware. macOS desktop. The current lines OS X and more recently macOS were re-developed from the kernel of another type of operating system called UNIX. This kernel is supplemented with additional code to implement the Mac's graphical interface and system utilities and to maintain compatibility with older Mac OS applications. macOS gets periodic "dot" version updates. At the time of writing, the current version is 10.13 or "High Sierra" and updates are being released to existing customers free-of-charge. Page 49