Objective:
This
section introduces you to operating systems and gives you practice using the
Windows user interface. After finishing this section, you should be able to:
- Identify
and describe different types of system software.
- Identify
common operating systems.
- Identify
and describe components of the Windows 10 operating system.
- Change
display settings in Windows.
- Use
the Settings app to view system information.
- Configure
a screen saver through the Settings app.
- Recognize
and use utility software.
- Use
Windows Device Manager to update drivers.
- Use
Windows Task Manager to prevent applications from running at system startup.
Links:
Key Terms:
- Operating System A computer program that makes it so people, hardware, and software can interface with each other in a meaningful way.
- Graphical User Interface An operating system interface that allows a user to interact with the computer by displaying pictures, icons, and other images on a screen to represent files, folders, and system controls and by accepting input from a mouse or a touch screen.
- Command Line Interface An operating system interface that allows a user to interact with the computer by displaying text on a screen and accepting input from the keyboard. The input is entered as commands. The command line is used primarily by IT and other tech professionals.
- Disk Management A role of the operating system that helps keep storage devices well organized and maintained.
- Application Management A role of the operating system that manages applications or programs that are installed on a system. Applications are run, configured, and deleted through application management.
- Service Management A role of the operating system that runs processes or programs automatically in the background. These programs are services that perform functions like indexing files for better searches, verifying that software is up to date, and backing up files.
- Device Management A role of the operating system that determines the hardware that is connected to the system, interprets instructions from the hardware, and sends instructions to it. Device management includes managing device drivers.
- Access Control/Protection A role of the operating system that requires users to log in with their credentials before accessing sensitive information on the computer. It also manages antivirus and antimalware software to prevent malicious files from accessing the computer.
- Utility Software Software that analyzes, configures, and optimizes the computer including backup software, compression software, disk cleaners, and antivirus software.
- Device Drivers Software that allows an operating system to communicate with hardware devices, such as printers, video cards, scanners, and cameras.
- Firmware Preinstalled, read-only software on a device that tells it how to work.
- Windows Settings App In Windows 10, an application that organizes the settings and customizes how the computer looks and functions.
Topics Discussed:
- What
is the difference between hardware, system software, and application software?
- What
is the purpose of an operating system?
- How
can the Windows operating system be configured through the Settings app?
Assignment:
- Access the TestOut Courseware through the provided link.
- Study Section 1.5: Software, and achieve a score of 80% or higher on the 12 question Exam to complete the Section.
Assigned: September 16th, 2019
Teacher Pacing Due Date: September 17th, 2019
Objective:
Students will install and configure a specialized desktop operating system in a Dual-Boot configuration alongside Windows 7.
Link:
Topics Discussed:
- Software
- System Software
- Operating Systems
- Device Drivers
- Utility Programs
- GUI Install
- Specialized OS
- Live Boot
- Dual Boot
- Partition Management
Assignment:
- This week we will be working in the lab with a specialized Operating System installation. We will be repartitioning the hard drives of our lab PCs to prepare for a Dual Boot configuration, and installing a specialized OS (Kali Linux) that we will use in the second half of our course.
- Use the link to the Kali Documentation: Making a Kali Bootable USB website to discover the process for producing a Live Boot USB for Kali Linux. Note the differences, advantages and disadvantages of a Live Boot OS versus a Hard Disk installation. You will be provided with a USB in class, and we will walk through the steps of producing a Live Boot USB drive that we will use to complete the Kali installation.
- Next, visit the Kali Documentation: Dual Boot Kali with Windows to get an overview of how we will use our newly created Kali USB to perform a hard drive installation of Kali alongside Windows 7.
- You will be directed in class how to Live Boot from the Kali USB installation, and use the gparted utility software to repartition and format a 30 GB secondary partition on your hard drive. Once the hard drive is prepared with this second partition, you may proceed with the installation process.
- Reboot from the Kali USB, and select the GUI Installer.
- Follow the installation process as outlined in the Kali Documentation Dual Boot Installation Procedure, paying close attention to all instructions and prompts.
- Use the information provided by the instructor for the username and password. Make sure you set the time zone correctly (no DST), use the information on the board for the Host name and Domain, and choose “no” when asked to use a network mirror.
- Remove the Kali USB and reboot to test your installation. Your installation is complete when the PC automatically reboots to the GRUB loader and boots into Kali without prompting.
Assigned: November 5th, 2018
Due Date: November 9th, 2018
Objective:
Students will install and configure a common desktop operating system.
Link:
Topics Discussed:
- Software
- System Software
- Application Software
- Operating Systems
- Device Drivers
- Utility Programs
- GUI
- Desktop OS
Assignment:
- This week we will be working in the lab with Operating Systems installation. We will be wiping and repartitioning the hard drives of our lab PCs, performing a basic operating system installation (Windows 7), and installing a specialized OS (Kali Linux) that we will use in the second half of our course.
- Collect your PC from the storage shelf and assemble it on the tables in Lab 212. Connect all peripherals and test it to ensure that it still boots to the desktop login window. You do not need to log in.
- Windows 7 installation disks will be distributed. Boot from the Windows 7 installation disk to begin the installation process.
- You will be directed in class how to partition and format your hard drive. Once the hard drive is formatted to a single active partition, you may proceed with the installation process.
- Follow the installation process, paying close attention to all instructions and prompts.
- The required Account Name, Password and Machine Name naming convention will be written on the whiteboard in front of the room. Please make sure you type the Account Name and Password correctly, using capitals where indicated. Also, please take care to follow the correct Machine Name convention. DO NOT MAKE UP YOUR OWN INFORMATION FOR THESE STEPS.
- Your Windows 7 installation is nearly complete when your machine boots to the desktop, and you have successfully logged into the Admin account. You should then browse to the Dell Support page, where you will download and install all required device drivers and support software. You will also be required to install the Microsoft Security Essentials virus and malware protection utility from the Microsoft website.
- Once all device drivers and the Microsoft Security Essentials application is installed, proceed to the Windows Control Panel, and click System and Security to access the Windows Update settings. Click the Check for Updates button to search for updates and service packs. Install all require service packs and updates that are available.
- Your Windows 7 installation is complete when all required device drivers, security software, service packs and system updates are complete. Next week, we will install a specialized OS called Kali Linux, that is specifically designed for offensive security and penetration testing
Assigned: October 29th, 2018
Due Date: November 2nd, 2018
Objective:
Students will be able to identify and describe system software and application software, discuss the operating system and its principal functions, the characteristics of device drivers and utility programs, common features of the graphical software environment and how they relate to the keyboard and the mouse. Students will also be able to identify and describe common desktop, network, and portable (embedded) operating systems.
Students will also be able to describe the seven ways of obtaining application software and the tools to help learn it, as well as data files, program files, filename extensions, the purposes served by export/import, and data compression. Students will be able to identify and discuss several kinds of application software: word processing, spreadsheet, database, office suites, integrated packages, and specialty application software.
Link:
Topics Discussed:
- Software
- System Software
- Application Software
- Operating Systems
- Device Drivers
- Utility Programs
- GUI
- Desktop OS
- Network OS
- Embedded OS
- Files
- Import/Export
- Data Compression
- Word Processing
- Spreadsheet
- Database
- Office Suite
- Integrated Packages
- Specialty Applications
Assignment:
- Complete the Chapter 3 “Sharpening the Saw” Practice quiz, due Thursday of this week. The Practice quiz consists of 90 questions.
- Check your score afterwards, and if you got less than 80 percent, try, try again!
- Go for 100%! The more you retry, the better prepared you’ll be for the final Chapter 3 quiz on Friday!
- Don’t forget to briefly review the material from Chapters 1 and 2, as Friday’s comprehensive quiz will include questions from all three of the chapters we have studied.
Assigned: October 22nd, 2018
Teacher Pacing Due Date: October 25th, 2018
Objective:
Students will be able to identify and describe system software and application software, discuss the operating system and its principal functions, the characteristics of device drivers and utility programs, common features of the graphical software environment and how they relate to the keyboard and the mouse. Students will also be able to identify and describe common desktop, network, and portable (embedded) operating systems.
Students will also be able to describe the seven ways of obtaining application software and the tools to help learn it, as well as data files, program files, filename extensions, the purposes served by export/import, and data compression. Students will be able to identify and discuss several kinds of application software: word processing, spreadsheet, database, office suites, integrated packages, and specialty application software.
Link:
Topics Discussed:
- Software
- System Software
- Application Software
- Operating Systems
- Device Drivers
- Utility Programs
- GUI
- Desktop OS
- Network OS
- Embedded OS
- Files
- Import/Export
- Data Compression
- Word Processing
- Spreadsheet
- Database
- Office Suite
- Integrated Packages
- Specialty Applications
Assignment:
- Click the https://connect.mheducation.com/ link to connect to the online testing website. Log in with your credentials that we set up in the second week of class.
- Navigate to the “Test Your Might – Chap. 3 Quiz”.
- The quiz is 100 questions, all multiple choice, and includes questions from Chapters 1, 2 and 3.
- Please put away all notes, study guides and other materials before starting the quiz.
- Please close all other documents and webpages and do not open any new tabs or windows until after you have submitted the quiz.
- Please remain silent until everyone has completed the quiz.
- Submit your test answers before the end of the class period today.
- When you have completed your quiz, you may begin reading Chapter 4 in the online textbook.
Assigned: October 27th, 2017
Due Date: October 27th, 2017
Objective:
Students will be able to identify and describe system software and application software, discuss the operating system and its principal functions, the characteristics of device drivers and utility programs, common features of the graphical software environment and how they relate to the keyboard and the mouse. Students will also be able to identify and describe common desktop, network, and portable (embedded) operating systems.
Students will also be able to describe the seven ways of obtaining application software and the tools to help learn it, as well as data files, program files, filename extensions, the purposes served by export/import, and data compression. Students will be able to identify and discuss several kinds of application software: word processing, spreadsheet, database, office suites, integrated packages, and specialty application software.
Link:
Topics Discussed:
- Software
- System Software
- Application Software
- Operating Systems
- Device Drivers
- Utility Programs
- GUI
- Desktop OS
- Network OS
- Embedded OS
- Files
- Import/Export
- Data Compression
- Word Processing
- Spreadsheet
- Database
- Office Suite
- Integrated Packages
- Specialty Applications
Assignment:
- Complete the Chapter 2 “Sharpening the Saw” Practice quiz, due Thursday of this week. The Practice quiz consists of 85 questions.
- Check your score afterwards, and if you got less than 80 percent, try, try again!
- Go for 100%! The more you retry, the better prepared you’ll be for the final Chapter 3 quiz on Friday!
Assigned: October 23rd, 2017
Teacher Pacing Due Date: October 26th, 2017
Objective:
Students will be able to identify and describe system software and application software, discuss the operating system and its principal functions, the characteristics of device drivers and utility programs, common features of the graphical software environment and how they relate to the keyboard and the mouse. Students will also be able to identify and describe common desktop, network, and portable (embedded) operating systems.
Students will also be able to describe seven ways of obtaining application software and the tools to help learn it, as well as data files, program files, filename extensions, the purposes served by export/import, and data compression. Students will be able to identify and discuss several kinds of application software: word processing, spreadsheet, database, office suites, integrated packages, and specialty application software.
Link:
Topics Discussed:
- Software
- System Software
- Application Software
- Operating Systems
- Device Drivers
- Utility Programs
- GUI
- Desktop OS
- Network OS
- Embedded OS
- Files
- Import/Export
- Data Compression
- Word Processing
- Spreadsheet
- Database
- Office Suite
- Integrated Packages
- Specialty Applications
Assignment:
- Complete the Chapter LearnSmart module, due Thursday, October 19th. This Practice assignment consists of 100 questions.
- When you are finished with this LearnSmart assignment, you may study for the practice test.
Assigned: October 16th, 2017
Teacher Pacing Due Date: October 19th, 2017
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