... difference seems to be negligible (Walton). Linux (version 2 and above) supports symmetric multiprocessor (SMP) architecture in which multiple processors share a single memory and bus interface within a single computer. Parallel processing is used to speed up the execution of a program by dividing the program into multiple fragments each on its own processor. Within SMP a group of processors work together ... Stylus printer. The processor is not the only intelligent device in the system, every physical device has its own hardware controller. The keyboard, mouse and serial ports are contr...

• Word Count: 3572
• Approx Pages: 14
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... custom development, and post-sales support while the software is given away freely. • Widget Frosting: Companies that sell hardware such as computer chips or even entire computer systems - the widgets - can distribute open source software - the frosting - free of cost with the hardware, using this software to gain market share. • Accesorizing: This is a model that distributes books and other physical items ... , particularly security holes allowing access to intruders. Why is this low reliability found in the software industry and not other engineering fields? (Cars certainly don't c...

• Word Count: 3234
• Approx Pages: 13
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... allowed anyone to view the source code. This was the first time people could see what makes operating systems run. Tanenbaum inspired thousands of computer science students to become more active in the ways of operating systems. One very bright mind stepped up to the plate and he was ... Linus Torvalds. When MINIX was introduced in 1991, Linus Torvalds was a second year Computer Science major at the University of Helsinki. A well known hacker, Torvalds strived for an operating system for the pros and not a student teaching operating ... user interfaces they were using for the OS (X-Win...

• Word Count: 1368
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... Based PCs. Linux has the capability of running on the Digital Alpha systems so it can reach the advanced users in the bigger companies. Another computer system that can be run with Linux is the Macintosh Power PC, which is generally used by graphical designers, press companies and advertising companies. The ... of Windows. In Linux, there are not annoying limitations like Windows 98, where an error message appears on the screen that says you must shutdown your computer. You can kill a process that is not replying with a convenient "kill command." Linux has very good multitasking capabilit...

• Word Count: 1604
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... give a common window system for all the operating system. Linux X System is called Xfree86, free implementation from X-Windowing System. It is modified from the original to be compatible with PC hardware such as video cards, mouse, and so on. Linux's graphical interface can be configured through something called Window Manager. The most popular Window Managers nowadays are KDE (the K Desktop Environment ... tutorial and self-study. Everyone can just pick up one web site on the Internet and read the HOW-TO file then download what they need to install on their computer and have a go!...

• Word Count: 2233
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: High School