As
Microsoft is pulling down its support for the operating system Windows XP
globally, users will not receive any security updates, online content updates
for their XP operating system. Hence, users are forced to rely on some other
secured operating system. Below listed are alternative operating systems that
can alter the computing landscape for the coming decades, as compiled by
secpoint.com.
Windows 7
Windows 7 is an operating system for computers, laptops and tablets developed by Microsoft Corporation. Windows 7 includes some advanced features such as device stage, HomeGroup, jump lists, library and one-click Wi-Fi. This operating system provides the users with a sleek status window to browse files, manage media and perform other tasks. By setting up a HomeGroup, users can share documents, printers
and can easily connect with two or more devices
running on windows 7 OS. Jump lists offer quick access to documents, pictures,
music and even to composing new email messages. To open a jump list, you can
right click the program button on the taskbar or click the arrow near to the
program on the start menu. Libraries have special folders in windows 7 so that
all your scattered files, pictures, music and videos can be listed under one
roof. Moreover, it is easy to share within the HomeGroup. Windows 7 offers a
wireless connection and the users can select it from the available hotspot
lists, by clicking the system’s tray icon.
Mac OS
Apple has come up with some new features on Mac operating system. Multi-touch
gestures of Mac OS enable the users to carry out certain commands using
multiple points. Using a pinching motion to zoom out the photo is the great
example for this; swiping two fingers on a touch screen or magic mouse will
make the picture compress on the screen. Another feature is use of full-screen
applications, which is exclusively launched for iOS devices. Mac OS X Lion
displays these applications as full-screen apps, by providing the user with
maximum amount of screen area. Using feature like Mission Control, you can have
a quick look at every app that is running on your device. Auto-save feature of
Mac OS helps to prevent the loosing of data. Another feature called Versions
can provide the history of files you have worked on. If you feel that your work
is on wrong direction, you can revert to the previous version and start again
without discarding the whole file. With AirDrop feature, you do not need a
wireless connection to share the documents across the Mac devices. Voice over
feature of Mac OS X is helpful for visually impaired people to operate their
devices easily. The device can read out the documents loudly and the OS contain
voices that can speak 22 different languages.
Ubuntu
Ubuntu is a free and open source operating system based on Debian. Exclusively developed for computers, Smartphones, tablets, servers and smart-TVs. Ubuntu comes with many software packages that are licensed under GNU General Public License. This software enables the users to
copy, develop, modify, and
reorganize their own programs. It includes software programs such as FireFox,
Empathy, Transmission, and LibreOffice. Using The OS also supports programs
that are developed for Microsoft Windows using Wine and Virtual Machine. Sudo
tool is added as a security feature, which offer rights for administrative
tasks, prevent users from making system changes. Ubuntu contains graphical
desktop environment and supports up to 46 languages.
Linux
Linux is a free and open source operating system unlike Mac OS and windows. It was initially developed to run only on Intel x 86 devices, but now it runs on all platforms such as mainframe, server and supercomputer. Linux is highly customizable, so that users can have their own arrangements on the desktop interfaces. As Linux is a multi-user OS, more than one user can be logged in at a time. User accounts are password
protected that ensures no one has access to your
own applications and data. In Linux, multitasking is made possible, by running several
programs at the same time. This means that not only you can run the several
programs at once; Linux OS also can have many programs running in the
background. Other than LAN protocols like Ethernet, all other popular
networking protocols are default. TCP/IP is the most popular networking
protocols. Protocols such as IPX and X.25 are also available for Linux OS.
Windows 8
Introduced by the software giant Microsoft Corporation, Windows 8 has come up
with innovative and dynamic desktop with tiles-based interface. Users can
customize their desktop with the organization of the applications. It does not
include a search box below the start menu. When you type anything, a search box
will appear from the right with search results. You can also perform search
within the apps that employ Windows 8′s search function. The search panel
located on the right hand side of your desktop will have the list of apps where
you can perform the search. ‘To Go’ feature enables the users to copy their
complete operating system with settings, documents, wallpapers, and app into a
USB drive. Using the new feature like Windows Live syncing, users can login to
any Windows 8 computers with Live ID and retrieve their own customized settings
on it.
