WORKING WITH THE COMPUTER

OPERATING SYSTEM

Your computer's operating system (OS) manages all of the software and hardware on the

computer. Most of the time, there are several different computer programs running at the
same time, and they all need to access your computer's central processing unit
(CPU), memory, and storage. The operating system coordinates all of this to make sure each
program gets what it needs.

TYPES OF OS:

Operating systems usually come pre-loaded on any computer you buy. Most people use the
operating system that comes with their computer, but it's possible to upgrade or even change
operating systems. The three most common operating systems for personal computers
are Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.

GUI

Modern operating systems use a graphical user interface, or GUI (pronounced gooey). A GUI

lets you use your mouse to click icons, buttons, and menus, and everything is clearly
displayed on the screen using a combination of graphics and text.

Each operating system's GUI has a different look and feel, so if you switch to a different
operating system it may seem unfamiliar at first. However, modern operating systems are
designed to be easy to use, and most of the basic principles are the same.

BIOS (Basic Input Output System):

- Is situated in the motherboard
- It links the software to the hardware
- When you start up your computer, BIOS is the first thing that wakes up your computer
- It checks settings, initializes your devices (CPU, RAM, graphic cards, peripherals)
- If everything is OK it hands off your computer to the OS
 WORKING WITH THE COMPUTER

DESKTOP

Using an office metaphor, a desktop is a computer display area that represents the kinds of
objects one might find on a real desktop: documents, phonebook, telephone, reference
sources, writing (and possibly drawing) tools, project folders. A desktop can be contained in a
window that is part of the total display area or can be "full-screen" (the total display area). 

ICON

Icon is a graphic symbol on a computer display screen that represents an object (as a
file) or function (as the command to delete)

TASKBAR is an element of a graphical user interface which has various purposes. It

typically shows which programs or applications are running on the device, as well as
provide links or shortcuts to other programs or places, such as a start menu, notification area,
and clock.

MULTITASKING – multiple tasks at the same time

CONTROL PANEL

Control Panel is the centralized configuration area in Windows.

The Control Panel is used to make changes to nearly every aspect of Windows
including keyboard and mouse function, passwords and users, network settings, power
management, desktop backgrounds, sounds, hardware, program installation and removal,
speech recognition, parental control, etc.

Think of Control Panel as the place to go in Windows if you want to change something about
how it looks or works.

MY COMPUTER (WINDOWS EXPLORER)

We use it to explore and edit files and folders.

FILE

A collection of data or information that has a name, called the filename. Almost all
information stored in a computer must be in a file. There are many different types of
files: data files, text files ,program files, directory files, and so on.
Different types of files store different types of information. For example, program files store
programs, whereas text files store text.

FOLDER
Large envelope for holding documents or a collection of files or documents that are stored
together on a computer.

1. UNDERSTANDING WORDS
 WORKING WITH THE COMPUTER

Refer back to the text and find synonyms for the following words:

be in charge ____cpu_____________________ (operating system)

harmonize ____coordinates_____________________ (operating system)
examine _____ It checks settings____________________ (BIOS)
symbolize ______represents___________________ (desktop)
supply ____________provide_____________ (task bar)
investigate _________explore________________ (windows explorer)
become different ______make changes___________________ (control panel)
present ____ are running ____________________ (task bar)
allow ___________ lets you use ______________ (GUI)
boot up _______ start up __________________ (BIOS)

2. CONTENT REVIEW

Match the words in column A with the words or statements in column B.

A B
f 1. MANAGE a to set (variables, counters, switches etc.) to
their starting values at the beginning of a
program
g 2. COORDINATE to make the form, nature, content, future
course, etc., of (something) different from what
it is or from what it would be if left alone
h 3. CHECK to look at (something) in a careful way to learn
more about it : to study or analyze (something) 
i 4. REPRESENT to allow or permit
j 5. PROVIDE e to cause or allow to be seen
to indicate or explain
c 6. EXPLORE f to have control of something
b 7. CHANGE to make many different things work effectively
as a whole
e 8. SHOW the act or an instance of inspecting or testing
something, as for accuracy or quality
d 9. LET to act or speak officially for (someone or
something) 
a 10. INITIALIZE to give someone something that they need
 WORKING WITH THE COMPUTER

3. LOCATING INFORMATION

Find the passages in the text where the following ideas are expressed. Give the line
references.

LINE IDEA
coordinates all of The operating system coordinates all of the computer programs
the computer which are running at the same time.
programs
is used to make Control panel is used to make changes in the computer.
changes
first thing that While starting up your computer, BIOS is the first thing that
wakes it up wakes it up.
GUI lets you use A GUI lets you use your mouse to click icons, buttons,
your mouse to and menus, and everything is clearly displayed on the screen
click icons, buttons, using a combination of graphics and text.
and menus

4. UNDERSTANDING THE PASSAGE

Decide whether the following statements are true or false (T/F) by referring to the
information in the text. Then make the necessary changes so that the false statements
become true.

T F STATEMENT CHANGE IF FALSE

t Title bar shows
which programs or applications are
running on the device.
f We use Control panel to explore and The Control Panel is used to make changes
edit files and folders. to nearly every aspect of Windows
t Desktop is using an office metaphor.
t BIOS hands of your computer to the OS

5. Complete the following

picture by adding the
relevant information
associated with each part of
the window.