Week 7 Clear

Throughout this course, I have learned a multitude of information that I didn't expect to learn, especially this week! In week 7, we have discussed how computers boot up, the difference between applications and system software and system utilities like anti-virus software. Although it might be easy to discern which each topic involves, there is much more than the eye can see.

Booting a computer is one of the first things that any PC user learns to do. But most of us never learn much more about booting a computer than pressing the 'on' button or restarting the computer through Windows operations and commands. Booting up a PC is not difficult, but it is important to fully understand the parameters of various ways of starting up a computer. For instance, before this lecture I didn't even know there was such a thing as cold boot or warm boot. A cold boot is when the computer is physically off and is allowed to cool for a few seconds before turning on-- this allows the computer to erase any cached memory and only saves files that have been permanently saved. A warm boot usually takes the form of a restart. From this point, the computer must go through a series of steps in order to properly boot up. The computer then runs code in BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) in order to configure ROM, motherboard, and storage settings. The next step is to Power On Self Test or POST, which tests the Operating System to ensure that set-up can continue. The following step is to utilize tiny boot loader program from the Master Boot Record (MBR), followed by loading the second stage boot loader. This, in turn, allows the MBR to turn over the controls to the Operating System, which enables the user to take command.

Applications and systems software are crucial elements of each and every computer. Without applications and systems software, our computers would not be able to do anything except utilize electricity to start the boot up process. First, let's look at what software is in general: the basic instructions a computer needs to run. Software acts as a "Simon Says" type of control, such that a computer only does what its software instructions tell it to; otherwise, nothing happens and you basically got a hunk of metal, plastic and other materials constructed together. Application software helps you accomplish a task such as Microsoft Word when you type a document. Systems software is a culmination of multiple programs that work together to ensure a smooth computing processes. Systems software works as the middle man between a PC's hardware and an application.

System utilities come in a variety of ways. All are small and are not resident, so they are used when the user enables them or when user-settings give the utility the O.K. Some utilities are packaged with the operating system, such as screensavers or firewalls; but some are purchased through vendors like Norton Anti-Virus. Utilities are used in order to ease user capabilities and to increase productivity. When utilizing utilities, it is important to check for updates fairly often to ensure that your PC is being protected and running as smooth as possible.

For more information on this topic, please utilize this website to gain more expertise in the field. In the business world, it is crucial to always make sure you are on top of the current technology and keeping up-to-date on applications, system software and system utilities.