DOS vs. Unix vs. Windows .... What is an operating system, anyway?

Article Abstract:

Prevalent operating systems include DOS; Windows, which is not a really an operating system; OS/2; Unix; and Macintosh. Users must have an operating system in order to run application packages on their computer hardware. Disk Operating System (DOS) is a character-based system that originated in 1981. Users must type in commands to use DOS, and it does not allow multitasking. DOS has sold over 60 million copies and there are thousands of applications that run on it. Microsoft Corp's Windows 3.0 is a graphical user interface (GUI) that works with DOS to make it more powerful and easier to use. Windows is graphical and therefore users can move throughout an application by choosing from different icons on the screen. Windows has sold almost three million copies in one year. OS/2 is graphical, supports multitasking and simplifies communication with a mainframe. The system is very complex, requires a lot of memory and there is little software available for it. Unix is a powerful operating system used primarily on workstations. Apple Macintosh is similar to Windows and there is a large quantity of software available for it.

Operating systems (Software), Operating systems, Design and construction, Microsoft Windows (GUI), Operating System, Comparison, Guidelines, User-Friendliness, Apple Macintosh (680X0-based system), OS/2 (Operating system), DOS (Operating system), Unix (Operating system)

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Computer counsel

Article Abstract:

The Software Publisher's Association (SPA) conducts office raids to reduce the amount of software piracy that exists within corporations and seeks to make copying a serious legal issue. The SPA estimates that software makers lose an annual $2 billion in revenue in the US and $6 billion overseas on account of illegally copied software. Copyright law stipulates that software users can make one copy for backup purposes, but they may not use the program on another computer. Upgraded versions of applications replace the old version and users may not use the old version on another computer. Some companies' licenses permit users to use a product at the office and at home; some companies will informally agree to allow users to run the program on a desktop machine and a laptop. The SPA does not typically target law suits at individual users. Electronic mail poses other legal issues. Contracts arrived at electronically are generally regarded as binding as written contracts.

Management, Usage, Laws, regulations and rules, Copyright, Copyrights, Licensing agreements, Patents, Licensing, Patent/Copyright Issue, Legal Issues, Computer Software Industry, Software packages, Software Publishers Association

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Software helps managers find the data they need

Article Abstract:

LightShip, from Pilot Executive Software, and InfoAlliance, from Software Publishing, are computer programs designed to help corporate computer users who need to navigate through confusing profusions of hardware and software. Pilot Software is a microcomputer version of an 'executive information system,' which is a variety of software that previously appeared only on larger computers. This microcomputer version, which costs $795, should broaden the market and be easier to adapt to changing business conditions. Patricia Seybold, the consultant, says: 'We like this a lot.' Software Publishing's InfoAlliance lets users pull data from various databases. The drawback to both these products is that they do not provide links to mainframe databases. Software to solve that problem is expected in 1991.

Evaluation, Executive Information Systems, Software Publishing Corp. (Teaneck, New Jersey), SPCO, Pilot Software Inc., LightShip (Decision support software), InfoAlliance (Executive information system)

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