Objectives
- Identify the basic differentiating features between Microsoft Windows XP, Apple OS X, and Ubuntu Linux
- Provide examples of different situations, where one operating system is more useful than another.
Competencies
- 6670-027 Compare and contrast the basic differences among operating systems.
Materials / Resources Required
- A computer connected to the internet for research
Teaching
What is an operating system? Acording to wikipedia, An operating system (OS) is a set of computer programs that manage the hardware and software resources of a computer. Operating systems also have control of allocating memory, managing CPU cycles, and managing hard drive space. Microsoft Windows, Linux, and Apple Mac OS-X are the 3 most common operating systems today.
For computer operating systems, the kernel helps manage communication between hardware and software components. There are several different types of kernal structures, with the most common being monolithic, micro, and hybrid kernels. Each operating system utilized a different kernel architecture. Both Windows and Mac OSX utilize a hybrid kernel.
Windows XP was released by Microsoft in 2001. It is the successor to Windows 2000, and was the first version of Windows to support an updated kernel architecture. It also features an imporved GUI, and improved security over past versions of Windows. Today, Windows XP is the most commonly used operating system. There are several different versions of Windows XP, including Home Edition, Professional Edition, and 64-bit Edition.[Image of Windows XP]
Also introduced in 2001 was Apple Mac OS X. Mac OS X is an extreme departure from previous version of Macintosh. It features a completely revamped user interface and a Unix-based hybrid kernel. [Image of Mac OS X]
Ubuntu is a free Linux redistribution which was first released in 2004. Ubuntu focuses on easier usability and ease of installation, in addition to regular, free updates. Ubuntu uses free open source programs exclusively to provide a very stable operating system. There are also several sub versions of Ubuntu. Kubuntu is a specialized version which uses KDE rather than GNOME. Xubuntu is a highly efficient version of Ubuntu that utilizes the Xfce Desktop Enviroment. Xubuntu is intended for users wishing to run Ubuntu on less powerful machines. Edubuntu is a specialized version of Ubuntu optimized for educational use, as it comes packaged with several educational programs. And finally, Ubuntu Studio is specialized for multimedia production.[Image of Ubuntu]
Procedure
- Briefly describe the differences of each of the operating system's kernal structure.
- In each of the following situations, state which operating system (Windows XP, Mac OSX, or Ubuntu) is best suited for the job and explain your reasoning:
- You must create a website for a large company using Adobe Photoshop.
- You want the best compatability with running the latest computer games
- You have a limited budget, and need a new operating system for your computer.
- You are an experienced programer and want to use all open source applications.
- You want to use your computer as a media center (Sole purpose is to watch movies and listen to music).
- For students that complete this lesson before others, pick one of the following extensions to complete (students finishing this activity early and failing to complete one of the following extensions will have points deducted from their score.)
- Write a paragraph explaining which one of the three major operating systems you personally favor.
- Write a paragraph summary on an additional operating system of your choice, not mentioned in this lesson plan.
Evaluation
| Component | Points |
|---|---|
| Completion of activities | /3 |
| Student was able to identify key differences in operating system kernals | /2 |
| Student was able to describe which why one OS is preffered over another in certain situations | /5 |
| Total | /10 |