Operating System

Operating System software is a complicated program that controls other software, your computer hardware, and your user interface. Sometimes it is just called the OS, for short

There are two main choices for the Operating System:

1) Microsoft Windows
The current version is called XP. XP comes in two versions: Standard or Professional

2) Apple Macintosh
The current version is OS X (ten) Tiger

Both brands of Operating System work very well. Each has its strong points.

Windows is better because more people use it, and so there are more software programs being made for it.
Macintosh is better because it is more secure against viruses and hackers.

If you can go to a nearby computer store, try to use each one. Really sit down and use it. Dont feel bad. Its okay. That's what they are there for. Find a simple word processor on the computer, type yourself a note and save it. Then use the OS to find it. How easy is it to use? Can you find things easily?

Most important, make sure that the computer you buy comes with an Operating System. Some very inexpensive computers don't have Windows or OS X. If the computer that you are looking at doesn't mention the type of Operating System it has, then ask the salesperson. Buying an OS later is expensive, and it can be complicated to install.