of 13
8/7/2019 GCSE - A5 - Operating systems and user interfaces
1/13
www.ict-teacher.com
ICT GCSE Short Course
Operating systems and user
interfaces
8/7/2019 GCSE - A5 - Operating systems and user interfaces
2/13
www.ict-teacher.com
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.
8/7/2019 GCSE - A5 - Operating systems and user interfaces
3/13
www.ict-teacher.com
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, theoperating 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.
8/7/2019 GCSE - A5 - Operating systems and user interfaces
4/13
www.ict-teacher.com
Operating systems
8/7/2019 GCSE - A5 - Operating systems and user interfaces
5/13
www.ict-teacher.com
Operating systems
There are manyexamples of operatingsystems in use. Theseinclude:
Microsoft WindowsVista
Microsoft Windows XP
UNIX
OS/2
Microsoft Windows Vista
Microsoft Windows XP
8/7/2019 GCSE - A5 - Operating systems and user interfaces
6/13
www.ict-teacher.com
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.
8/7/2019 GCSE - A5 - Operating systems and user interfaces
7/13
www.ict-teacher.com
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).
8/7/2019 GCSE - A5 - Operating systems and user interfaces
8/13
www.ict-teacher.com
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.
8/7/2019 GCSE - A5 - Operating systems and user interfaces
9/13
www.ict-teacher.com
Human-computer interfaces
GUIs (Graphical User Interfaces also Icons)
Toolbars
8/7/2019 GCSE - A5 - Operating systems and user interfaces
10/13
www.ict-teacher.com
Human-computer interfaces
Pop-up menus
Drop-down menus
8/7/2019 GCSE - A5 - Operating systems and user interfaces
11/13
www.ict-teacher.com
Human-computer interfaces
Command line
Key driven
8/7/2019 GCSE - A5 - Operating systems and user interfaces
12/13
www.ict-teacher.com
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 combinedifferent features are from various Microsoft applications.
Microsoft Word 2003
8/7/2019 GCSE - A5 - Operating systems and user interfaces
13/13
www.ict-teacher.com
Human-computer interfaces
Microsoft Excel 2003
Microsoft PowerPoint 2003
Microsoft FrontPage 2003