Operating Systems (OS)

This kind of software is the direct translator between human and machine. Without an operating system your computer will not run. Well...it will run just you won't be able to do anything on it. So what are the operating systems? Well there are four main Operating Systems:

• Mac OS - Currently at OS 10.5 (Leopard) before that and still in wide use was OS 10.4 (Tiger). Generically known as OS X ("X" being the roman numeral 10). Code names for all releases of OS X have been names of cats. The core is based off of UNIX. This OS is a product of Apple, Inc. This is a Graphical User Interface (GUI) OS, and includes command line interface if needed.
• Windows - Currently at Vista before that and still in wide use was XP. This is the most used OS out there today (but that doesn't mean it's the best choice). This OS is a product of Microsoft. This is a GUI OS, and includes command line interface if needed.
• LINUX - Current versions: Red Hat, Ubuntu, Knoppix, Yellow Dog, SUSE, etc. Linux is typically a free distribution OS, and is owned by no one but by everyone at the same time. There are some versions which are comercial versions that you must buy. Linux can be modified in any way to fit your needs, but it does require hands on coding and understanding of the command line. Typically a command line OS but they quite often have GUI's today.
• UNIX - Current versions are a few but include: Solaris, HP-UX, and AIX. Typically UNIX is a paid for OS, and a very stable and powerful one. Solaris is the main UNIX OS out there created by Sun Microsystems. Mac OS X could also be considered to be a UNIX OS, because it's core is UNIX, but it is typically not refered to as one. UNIX is often used on servers where strength, reliability, and security are of utmost importance. Typically a command line OS but they quite often have GUI's today.