IT 501 – Principles of Information Technology

Unit 4 Assignment –

Operating system is a term describing the software that interlinks programs within a computer and the hardware section of the same. On that note, different companies have come up with several operating systems that have diversified features. Each operating system has its key features, weaknesses and strengths. These features differentiate operating systems and offer people reasons to choose the one they feel bests suits their needs.

Linux operating system identifies its inception back in 1991, whose use since then has grown exceptionally. Its use has been witnessed in offices, homes and leading companies such as New York Stock Exchange. A key feature of this outstanding operating system is its usability where it is predominantly used on personal computing devices, for example, laptop and desktop computers. It has various capabilities whilst being used in these devices such as having different programs running simultaneously. Additionally, Linux operating system supports a multiuser capability on the designated device (The Linux Foundation, 2011). With this feature, several users can use the device concurrently, with each user running different programs.

Linux operating system has its flaws that have been persistent over the years since its inception. Some have been resolved to ease the use of the software, but others still pose a challenge. One of the key problems associated with Linux is being supplied by many distributors across the globe. Although the owners defend this occurrence by stating it is a way of reaching as many users as they can worldwide, it leads to a state of confusion. Creating different outlets for the software diminishes its credibility. This occurs because there is lack of standardization with each distributor supplying different versions. As such,