And I bet you thought you were in charge, huh? You've got all this great hardware: the microprocessor and its associated chipsets that deliver graphics, audio, storage device management (such as hard disks and CD or DVD drives), the memory, the keyboard, and dozens of other things that install into bays or slots. And you've got all this great software to handle word processing and other office tasks (spreadsheets and databases among them); e- mail and instant messaging software keep you in touch whenever, wherever, and however you want; and high- tech power tools to edit digital images, video, and audio. But who's the boss? In the simplest of terms, think of the operating system as a great big box of regulations that sits in the middle of your laptop's computing universe. Above it are software applications, the keyboard and mouse, and you. Below it are all the pieces of hardware that do the actual work.
In theory, the operating system could be built into your laptop's hardware. Or, your software could be designed to directly control the hardware. But for most of us, that isn't the answer. Here's why: Not all hardware is the same, and you may install nearly an infinite number of combinations of devices. And, although one company's digital photo editor may be much like another, each is written differently and wants to interact with the hardware without treatment terms.
Here, then, are the main jobs assigned to the operating system. Managing the hardware
When a piece of software asks for data conversion, for image display, or submission of product over the internet, it sends out a number of commands. The operating system receives the orders (with the helpful assistance of a device driver; see the handy and quite dandy Technical Stuff sidebar) and translates the command into something that the hardware can understand.
Managing the software
When a company (more precisely, a squadron of programmers) writes a bit of software, it has no idea what kinds of hardware is installed on customers' machines. They can make general assumptions and publish requirements, but they can't possibly consider every type of microprocessor, chipset, hdd, graphics adapter ... or any other type of part. What they can do, though, is specify a particular operating system, and let the operating system read the software and device drivers and make everything hunky- dory in Computerland.
Am I saying that modern operating systems eliminate all conflicts and confusion between and among various combinations of hardware and software? Yes, and they can establish world peace, end hunger, and reverse global warming. Well, actually, no, they can't. But a well- written operating system in conjunction with properly constructed device drivers and software drivers and competently designed hardware can work together pretty well, and each new generation of these components smoothes the rough edges. In other words, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP, and also software and hardware designed for them, aren't perfect, but they're a lot better than what people who were present at the birth of personal computers once had to manage. And you can hope for ongoing improvement. And that other stuff too: peace, love, and an environmentally sound planet.
Putting on a pretty face
Many a user cares all about looks. Challenging hard work that goes on beneath the surface the hardware, the software, the drivers, the data, and the operating system the most important thing is the GUI appearance onscreen. The image on the display has to be attractive, orderly, and simple to use.
With a GUI such as Windows, the screen is alive. You can highlight a word and get it and move it elsewhere. You can drag an icon from one place to another. You can click a button and make your laptop sing "Cheekah Bow Wow" by the Vengaboys. For much of your interaction with a laptop, you don't need to type in a command, issue a verbal order ("Open the pod bay doors, Hal"), or even create your own list of possible actions. All you need to do is point and click at an option suggested by the operating system or a piece of software, or use the mouse to pull down more options and choose one of them.
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08192010
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