Operating Systems & Ubiquitous Computing

Every time we log on into our computers, we see some kind of background which has buttons and certain functions that we can press and activate. Those backgrounds are addressed as the Operating Systems (O/S). An operating system is software which controls and coordinates the tasks of a computer. A more detailed description of what operating systems is: “An operating system (commonly abbreviated OS and O/S) is the software component of a computer system that is responsible for the management and coordination of activities and the sharing of the resources of the computer”. There are many different types of operating systems such as Windows, Linux, Unix and so on. The most commonly used Operating system around the world is Windows. Most people find Windows extremely.

“Ubiquitous computing (ubicomp) is a post-desktop model of human-computer interaction in which information processing has been thoroughly integrated into everyday objects and activities. As opposed to the desktop paradigm, in which a single user consciously engages a single device for a specialized purpose, someone "using" ubiquitous computing engages many computational devices and systems simultaneously, in the course of ordinary activities, and may not necessarily even be aware that they are doing so.”

Above is a diagram which briefly outlines the role of Operating systems in a computer system. It basically shows that the user inputs some information in a certain place which is the application. Then, the operating system coordinates this information attained by the application and transfers it into information which will change it electrical signals which the hardware can deal with.

Back to Ubiquitous Computing, it is basically living in a world where we are surrounded by technology all the time. Ubiquitous Computing is part of our daily life in almost every single aspect of possible.  Ubiquitous Computing is changing and developing day by day. There are many advantages to it for example, “

• communicate in different ways
• be more active
• conceive and use geographical and temporal spaces differently
• have more control

In addition, ubiquitous computing is

• global and local
• social and personal
• public and private
• invisible and visible
• an aspect of both knowledge creation and information dissemination”

Questions-

1-How can we control a life that deals with Ubiquitous Computing?

2- Ubiquitous Computing can make our lives much easier, however, isn’t it going to effect natural human communication?

3- Why is Linux used in programming, other than windows, or why is Linux preferred more than Windows for hardcore coding?

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubiquitous_computing

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operating_system

http://www.rcet.org/ubicomp/what.htm

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