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Interesting note on definition
The "definition" of an operating system served well in the 60s (possibly earlier, but I have no personal knowledge), 70s, 80s, 90s, 1998 (I'll come back to that), in the workplace, professional press and in class. Only on ZDNet are there veiled references to a 'modern' definition, but I have yet to see it articulated. It's hard to agree or disagree with a 'definition' that remains hidden.

Unfortunately, all my texts are at the office because, when I have a class it follows work. But I did find the Instructor's Manual for Zwass, Foundations of Information Systems, 1998 edition on the shelf here. The definition is consistent with all other sources I have encountered...

"It manages all the resources of a computer system and provides an interface through which the system's user can deploy these resources."

When I include the term on a test, I look for those two attributes. Outside the confines of ZDNet, all I deal with are comfortable with the general knowledge that we uderstand what an operating system is and what it does. If anybody wishes to offer an alternate view, I for one would consider it. But mere allegations that there is some other definition out there somewhere does not contribute to meaningful communication.
Posted by: IT_User   Posted on: 05/20/04 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use
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See....  ickusslime@... | 05/19/04
Interesting article...  FederalistPaperBoy | 05/19/04
Save on salaries; sell the work  Anton Philidor | 05/19/04
Sounds about right  Spam-ZD | 05/20/04
Where did I say Microsoft?  Anton Philidor | 05/20/04
Re: Spam-ZD  samp_z | 05/20/04
Reasonable?  SC-man | 05/20/04
ehm  NemesisNL | 05/20/04
As I read it...  Anton Philidor | 05/20/04
Then we'll see how willing the proprietors are to sacrifice revenues  NemesisNL | 05/20/04
Agreeing to differ  Anton Philidor | 05/20/04
if you opt for the "free" license...  ryusen | 05/20/04
A company would pay not to put in...  Anton Philidor | 05/20/04
and that is their choice...  ryusen | 05/21/04
So free software really doesn't give you freedom...  P. Douglas | 05/20/04
Take away value?  IT_User | 05/20/04
Yes, Take Away Value  P. Douglas | 05/20/04
Services  voska | 05/20/04
Beware of the FSF Conspirators  P. Douglas | 05/20/04
reL Tv industry...  ryusen | 05/20/04
You don't need to misrepresent my statements  IT_User | 05/20/04
Talking past each other  Anton Philidor | 05/20/04
Interesting note on definition  IT_User | 05/20/04
Yes, Take Away Value - 2  P. Douglas | 05/20/04
New markets will apear  voska | 05/20/04
Your product is the game, not the software  Anton Philidor | 05/20/04
re: harmful for business...  ryusen | 05/20/04
GM wouldn't be harmed...  Anton Philidor | 05/20/04
re: your complaint  ryusen | 05/21/04
Take away value?  IT_User | 05/20/04
re: freedom...  ryusen | 05/20/04
Do companies 'exploit' their customers?  IT_User | 05/20/04
That's the problem:  Anton Philidor | 05/20/04
ssuming that the labor would have been done by paid staff  NemesisNL | 05/20/04
Scientific theories can't be patented, but...  Anton Philidor | 05/20/04
Interesting points  IT_User | 05/20/04
depends on your need...  ryusen | 05/20/04
And some people *STILL* don't get it.  Eggs Ackley_z | 05/20/04
The article answers your question.  Anton Philidor | 05/20/04
like lemmings marching to the cliff  NemesisNL | 05/20/04
Doesn't do much for income...  Anton Philidor | 05/20/04
Ever hear of consultant fees?  Michael Kelly | 05/20/04
Consultant fees?  samp_z | 05/20/04
Start you own business based on services  voska | 05/20/04
free work?  samp_z | 05/20/04
No I have work just none that you are paying for (NT)  NemesisNL | 05/20/04
alltruism vs. pragmatism...  ryusen | 05/20/04
Contributing  SC-man | 05/20/04
screw generosity...  ryusen | 05/20/04
THIS is what free software is all about!  George Mitchell | 05/20/04
Free Software  samp_z | 05/20/04
Free software is NOT the cause of lower salaries,  George Mitchell | 05/20/04
Who are these people?  IT_User | 05/20/04

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