Subject: {FIRSTNAME}, Microsoft Windows Hello {FIRSTNAME}, I hope you enjoyed the third course on what an operating system does, next we are going to look at microsoft windows. Here is a recap of the e-course schedule: Part 1: What is an Operating System Part 2: History of Operating Systems Part 3: What an Operating System Does Part 4: Microsoft Windows Part 5: Mac OS Part 6: UNIX Part 7: Linux With that being said... Lets get rolling shall we :) ================================================== Part 4: Microsoft Windows -------------------------------------------------- Back in the late 1970’s, two enterprising young computer programmers named Paul Allen and Bill Gates developed an adaptation for the BASIC computer language that would help run newly created personal computer just coming on the technology market. As with any technology, their original creation changed and grew. The two friends decided they had the product and the capability to become successful, so they formed a company now known as Microsoft. Over the years, Microsoft has grown to a giant in the computer industry with successes never before seen by a “from scratch” endeavor. Microsoft was responsible for the development of not only several computer languages like COBOL and PASCAL, but also for the development of the earliest operating system MS-DOS. In partnership with IBM, who was just introducing the personal computer to the individual consumer, all of the IBM computers used MS-DOS on their systems. The year was 1981. Windows 3.1 was the first product to fully utilize graphical user interface for ease of controlling what the computer would do. Windows also now allowed the user to multitask, meaning the user could now run multiple applications at once without having to close out of each program before running another. 2001 – saw the release of Windows XP which is the version most users have to date. The XP stands for experienced and combined the two major Windows operating systems into one. It is available in both a home as well as a professional edition. Windows XP is designed more for users who may not be familiar with all of Windows features and has several new abilities to make the Windows experience easier for those users. Windows XP includes various new features not found in previous versions of Microsoft Windows. Below is a listing of some of these new features. New interface - a completely new look and ability to change the look. Updates - new feature that automatically obtains updates from the Internet. Internet Explorer 6 - Includes internet explorer 6 and new IM. Multilingual support - added support for different languages. In addition to the above features, Windows XP does increase reliability when compared to previous versions of Microsoft Windows. Finally, the most recent upgrade of Windows was just released in 2007. Called Windows Vista, this new version is intended as an upgrade to XP and 2000 users. While it does have many new features, this version is intended to give computer users an overall better experience with a dramatic new look. Added features over previous Windows versions include: Windows Aero, a completely new GUI and unlike any previous version of Windows. Basic file backup and restore. Improved DVD support with the ability to easily create custom DVD movies. Easy transfer, a feature that allows you to easily transfer files from an older computer to the new computer. File encryption. Instant search available through all Explorer windows. Support for DirectX 10. Self-healing, the ability to automatically detect and correct problems that may be encountered on the computer. Shadow copy, a feature that allows you to recover deleted files. Improved photo gallery and control of photographs. Windows Sidebar and gadgets that allows you to add an almost endless list of different gadgets. More parental control. Improved Windows Calendar, with the ability to set tasks and appointments. And much more. Some people who are Windows enthusiasts hail this new product as a step into a new technological era. Windows Vista is flashy, pretty, and impressive, but it comes with its own unique faults as well. Reviewers report that there are many device drivers lacking in the software and that its size requires a large amount of memory which can cause your computer to run slower and less efficiently. All versions of Windows do come with the original MS-DOS operating system included in the background for those “old-schoolers” who will want to enter their own computer commands. All versions also come with a basic word processing program and Internet Explorer for surfing the net. You will find standard games such as solitaire in Windows as well. For more information about operating systems, please refer to my website Take Care,