ICT GCSE Short Course

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ICT GCSE Short Course

• Operating systems and user interfaces

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Operating systems

• The most important software that a computer uses
  is the operating system. Without it, the computer
  will not function. This is because the operating
  system controls all the hardware.
• Operating systems perform the following tasks
• They assist applications software to communicate
  with the hardware. For example, the operating
  system allows a word processed document to be
  printed by an attached printer.
• They manage the system resources. For example,
  the operating system allocates CPU (Central
  Processing Unit) time to the tasks being
  undertaken.

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Operating systems

• They manage the transfer of data to and from the
  systems peripheral devices (e.g. keyboard,
  mouse, scanner, and printer).
• They manage system security. For example, the
  operating system can be user by the computer
  systems manger to allocate or to restrict a
  users rights to do certain things.
• They also allow computers to multitask and to
  have multi-users.

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Operating systems
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Operating systems

• There are many examples of operating systems in
  use. These include
• Microsoft Windows Vista
• Microsoft Windows XP
• UNIX
• OS/2

Microsoft Windows Vista
Microsoft Windows XP
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Human-computer interfaces

• Most operating systems that are in common use
  have adopted very simple way of interacting and
  communicating with the user.
• This is what are called user interfaces.

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Human-computer interfaces

• A good human-computer or user interface needs to
  be
• User friendly this should make it possible for
  the user to use the software without having to
  read the entire manual first!
• Attractive if it is attractive to use it will
  encourage users to use the software.
• Effective this will enable the operating system
  do its job efficiently.
• Easy to use An easy to use interface will have
  menu structures that are consistent in design and
  layout across several different software packages
  (e.g. the fast save option will be in the same
  place on the toolbar and have the same icon).

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Human-computer interfaces

• There are many examples of user interfaces,
  including
• GUIs (Graphical User Interfaces, also known as
  Icons).
• Toolbars.
• Drop-down menus.
• Pop-up menus.
• Command lines.
• Key driven.

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Human-computer interfaces
GUIs (Graphical User Interfaces also Icons)
Toolbars
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Human-computer interfaces
Pop-up menus
Drop-down menus
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Human-computer interfaces
Command line
Key driven
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Human-computer interfaces

• Easy to use interfaces from the same software
  company will have menu structures that are
  consistent in design and layout across several
  different software packages.
• The following examples of interfaces that combine
  different features are from various Microsoft
  applications.

Microsoft Word 2003
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Human-computer interfaces
Microsoft Excel 2003
Microsoft PowerPoint 2003
Microsoft FrontPage 2003