The task manager is commonly used when terminating an application that has encountered some problems whilst in the process of operation, making it difficult for the user to end the task.
Memory Management for XP
Memory management in Windows XP provides system services that allocate and free memory, regain information about a variety of virtual pages, alter the protection of virtual pages, and lock the virtual pages into memory.
Windows XP memory management also provides a number of services, such as allocating and de-allocating physical memory. It also includes enhanced memory management for better scalability.
Virtual memory is a system method which gives a program the impression that it has adjoining working memory, although in fact it may be fragmented and even overflow on to disk storage. Virtual memory causes applications to use physical memory, for example RAM to make it more efficient than the programs without virtual memory. Users are able to alter the amount of virtual memory that’s assigned to the applications adapting the performance of the programs running.
File Management for XP
Windows XP offers improved file management features. Many of them will appeal chiefly to inexperienced users, but there's plenty available in XP to gratify all types of computer users. The most palpable changes to file management are the new Task Panes, which appear on the left of every folder window. The contents of the pane alter depending on the type of folder you have opened or the files you have selected. When you select one or more items, Task Pane options change. For single files, the options are: rename, move, copy, publish to the Web, e-mail, print and delete. For folders, the print option isn't available but you gain a share option, which lets you share the folder with other users on your computer or network.
Some of the more interesting new features in XP are subtler than the Task Panes. For example, you can now right-click a file and choose Send to <CD writer> to burn a file to CD. As with Windows Me, Zip compression is built into Windows XP. Right-click a file or folder and select send to Compressed Folder to compress files and place them in Zip-compatible folders, identifiable by a zippered folder icon.
Another new feature is the auto-recognition of disk contents. Insert a CD or DVD disk and a dialog appears proffering a menu of choices appropriate to the content. For a blank CD, XP will offer to burn files directly to the CD; for a CD containing photos, XP offers to run the CD as a slideshow, print the photos, copy the photos to a folder, and so on.
Windows XP User Interface
The user interface supporting Windows XP has a task based GUI (Graphical User Interface allowing people to interact with the PC) and hosts many visual effects such as:
- A translucent blue selection rectangle in Explorer
- Drop shadows for icon labels on the desktop
- Task-based sidebars in Explorer windows ("common tasks")
- The ability to group the taskbar buttons of the windows of one application into one button
- The ability to lock the taskbar and other toolbars to prevent accidental changes
- The highlighting of recently added programs on the Start menu
- Shadows under menus
The interface, overall, is a clear and simple design, also easy to navigate. The interface for windows XP allows you to adjust your desktop to how you desire it.
Windows XP includes a new Start menu to provide quick access to frequently used programs and common system areas like My Computer, Control Panel, and Search. This article describes the function of the different areas of the new Start menu.
The left side of the Start menu contains the programs list, which is divided into two sections, the "pinned list" (at the top) and the Most Frequently Used (MFU) list. The two sections are separated by a line. The functions of these lists are as follows:
The pinned list allows users to place shortcuts to programs and other items in the Start menu. It will be pre-populated with the user's default Web browser and e-mail program (these can be removed).
I/O Management
I/O management in XP can be located and used in device manager that is found in computer management. Device manager is most commonly used to view the installed hardware devices on your PC as well as updated the device drivers and adjust and update the settings of the installed hardware.
Device manager can be used for the following:
- identifying device drivers that are loaded for each device and obtain driver information
- installing updated device drivers
- reinstall previous versions of a driver
- change advanced settings and properties for devices
- to see if the hardware is fully functioning
- printing a summary of devices installed
- changing configuration settings
- identifying problems and configuring device settings
Suse Linux 6.4
About Linux
Suse Linux is is a major retail , produced in and owned by SUSE is also a founding member of the .
Linux is supported by companies such as Dell and IBM. Linux is also widely available for use as an operating system, not only for average desktop computers but also for use super computers.
Editions of Linux
Linux has distributed many versions of the operating system over the years, 31 to be precise, dating from the first version in 1994 (Suse Linux 1.0) to the latest version in 2007 (OpenSUSE 10.3), purchasing Linux is the same as buying a Windows Package, it’s available in computer specialist stores. Linux Compared to Windows is only really recognised with people more knowledge about computers than the average person, although is universal Windows is the more recognised operating system.
Interface
On a whole, the Linux interface and desktop really does differ to that of windows, although one similarity that can be touched upon is that they both have a graphical user interface.
Linux comprises of for desktops altogether. The task bar in windows is a ‘K’ bar in Linux allowing you to change your desktop background via the K bar.
Also found in the K panel is the start menu, a similarity to windows, letting you choose your desired application. The start menu in Linux comprises of very similar layout to windows 96’ rather than XP.
The design on a whole is quite unpleasing and compared to windows looks very out dated.
Task Management
Task management in Linux is by starting at the ‘K start Menu’; this menu displays the applications and tasks that are currently operation. The information Linux gives you includes the task name; User ID running the task; memory currently in use and time taken to carry out the task.
Like the task manager in windows you can end any running tasks from the K start menu. You can also view the amount of free memory there is via KDiskFree that displays the memory use of mounted devices.
I/O Management
KDE control centre is a way the user is able to configure the system settings; this is where I/O Management can be accessed, as information on external devices is connected to the PC. Users are able to add and remove devices as well as check the status of currently connected devices too. The KDE centre also allows you to configure the Linux as all configuration modules are locate din the same place.
File Management
File management in Linux allows the user to access what is called the ‘K file manager’. The K file manager is accessed by simply opening the K-start, proceeding on to system and file management.
This is only available for the root user of Linux if ordinary users wish to access the file manager they simply click on the home folder shortcut button.
Once the folder is open the person accessing K file Manager will be faced with a folder directory; these folders will allow you to manage the files that are currently stored in the system.
User Interface
Linux actually has a similar looking desktop to windows XP. There is a start menu known in Linux as the ‘K start’ menu which allows direct access to computer functions and applications such as multimedia and games for an example.
Adjacent to the K start menu is a shortcut to applications known as K applications. With Linux the user is able to choose between four different desktop designs which are located next to the K applications on the K panel; these desktop are able to be customized personally to the user.
A difference to windows is that Linux displays the running applications at the top of the page apposed to windows where it is located at the bottom.
Paul May Page Of Computer Systems