Operating systems

The operating system is the basic software of a computer. The operating system is the chief cook and bottle-washer of the computer, taking care of network traffic and storing files on disks as well as controlling display, keyboard and mouse functions. Without an operating system, each program would have to manage everything by itself. Some of the tasks of an operating system interest also unauthorised users.

Operating systems meant for personal use include nowadays many features that were previously included only in operating systems for larger systems. Some of these features increase security and stability, but some also increase the user's responsibility.

These days, most operating systems allow multiple users. The solution that was originally common in companies, schools and other similar institutions has its advantages also for ordinary households. Children do not have access to the parents' files or to each other's e-mail. It is also possible to limit access to programs and websites.

Usernames and passwords increase security also in other aspects than personal use. If a computer is always used with full access rights, also the programs started by the user have the same rights. The programs may include malicious software. For daily use, it is advisable to create a separate username that does not have so called main user or administrator rights.

The most common and best-known operating systems for computers include:

• Windows
  - for more information on Windows operating systems visit www.microsoft.com/windows
  - for general information on the security of Windows operating systems visit www.microsoft.com/security and www.microsoft.com/athome/security
• Mac OS X - for more information visit www.apple.com/macosx
• Linux - for more information visit www.linux.com.

Further information and tips on different operating systems are also available from various user groups. Finnish user groups include, for example:

• PC-käyttäjät ry (The PC Users of Finland)
• fiMUG ry (Finnish Macintosh User Group, in Finnish only)
• FLUG ry (Finnish Linux User Group)
• FUUG ry (Finnish Unix Users Group)

Site updated 11.12.2008

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