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The microkernel story is full of good ideas and blind alleys. The story began with enthusiasm about he promised dramatic increase in flexibility, safety and modularity. But over the years, enthusiasm changed to disappointment because the first generation processor microkernels were insufficient and inflexible. Traditionally, the word kernel denotes the mandatory part of the operating system common to all other software. The kernel can use all features of a processor (e.g., programming the memory management unit); software running in user mode cannot execute such safety critical operations. Most early operating systems were implemented by means of large monolithic kernels. Loosely speaking, the complete operating system-scheduling, file system, networking, device drivers, memory management, paging, and more-was packed into a single kernel. In contrast, the microkernel approach involves minimizing the kernel and implementing servers outside the kernel. Ideally, the kernel implements only address spaces, interprocess communication and basic scheduling. INSETS: Frequently Asked Questions on External Pagers;Frequently Asked Questions on User-Level Device Drivers;Frequently Asked Questions on Memory Servers.

A security kernel is a software and hardware mechanism that enforces access controls within a computer system. The correctness of a security kernel on a PDP-11/45 is being proved. This paper describes the technique used to carry out the first step of the proof: validating a formal specification of the program with respect to axioms for a secure system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An overview of the current and future positions with respect to operating system performance is given. While a great deal of information and a large number of models for subsystems have been developed, gaps still exist in our knowledge. Because of the severe interactions between the various subsystems of an operating system, an overall model of the total system must be developed to be able to analyze and design the performance aspects of an operating system. Although such total system designs are exceptional today, it is projected that they will become increasingly more common and necessary in the near future. Such a design philosophy will clearly have a severe impact on the way we go about modularizing operating and computer systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers suggestions on how information technology (IT) companies can manage operating systems (OS). It states that companies should see whether OS supports their existing applications and thus have right selection criteria. It mentions that rather than having a separate team to select it, there should be more collaboration and all the teams need to create a common vision for what OS will provide. It highlights that they should be committed to desktop management.

The article examines the reasons underlying the slow migration of users to Windows Vista, a computer operating system from U.S.-based Microsoft Corp. that was released in November 2006. Among the reasons underlying the slow adoption of the operating system by customers are its expensive hardware requirements, incompatibility to other applications, high installation trouble for limited benefits over its predecessor Windows XP and the upcoming launch of Service Pack 1. Another cited barrier to Vista's adoption is its increased complexity, which Microsoft users complained about its User Account Control feature as nuisance and intrusive.

The article examines the competition between operating systems. In 2001, Microsoft Corp.'s Windows XP dominated the market and was tagged as the only desktop operating system in the U.S. Today, OpenOffice.org has grown into a viable competitor to Microsoft Office. Moreover, the author claims that OpenOffice.org can force Microsoft toward a more open file format strategy. In the field of operating systems, Microsoft's newest client operating system, Windows Vista, has been overpowered by Linux operating systems.

The article focuses on the significance of trusted functionality on operating systems. Trusted operating systems have been used in the past to lock down the most classified and confidential information in an organization. Several computer companies are already functionality in their mainstream products. The author evaluates different kinds of operating systems with trusted functionality from several companies including Sun Microsystems Inc. and its Solaris 10, Red Hat Inc. and SELinux, Novell Inc. and AppArmor.

This article seeks to explore the murky realm of x86 programming to uncover the chip's built-in privilege-protection mechanism. Privilege protection does in hardware what most operating systems and kernels do in software. It protects different tasks from each other and allows only the correct tasks to access sensitive data, disable interrupts, modify operating-system tables, and other important tasks. Like the segmentation, the x86's privilege protection is tricky to set up but pays off handsomely in run-time reliability and security.

The article offers suggestions for managing the Mac OS X operating systems (OS). It suggests that computer systems running on OS X 10.4 (Leopard) or OS X 10.5 (Tiger) operating systems allows Web pages to open in the background by clicking on a link. It mentions that horizontally scrolling can be done by holding down the shift key prior to spinning the scroll wheel. It mentions that to check if a file has been saved, the drop-down menu on the title bar should be checked which leads to the TextEdit document where the full path to a document's saved location is displayed.

The article offers tips for operating the Mac Operating System X (OS X). It states that the shutdown process can be cancelled by launching an application such as a Save dialog box in any application. The shutdown process will stop as soon as it reaches the program with the open Save As dialog box. It offers tips for editing smart playlists in iTunes. It informs that all OS X folders have a built-in spring mechanism. It informs that many widgets of Mac OS X 10.4's dashboard support drag and drop.

The article reports on the release of Windows Vista and Office 2007 by Microsoft Corp. The company is expecting a wave of upgrades from users seeking the latest functionality. Some users want to keep their old operating systems running for as long as possible. Office 2007 and Zune music player will not install on Windows 2000.

In April 2004, the European Commission in Brussels took bold steps to curb Microsoft's control of the computer software market by slapping the company with tough sanctions aimed at its treasured "bundling" strategy and crafted to influence its future behavior in the market. In the landmark ruling drafted by Mario Monti, the European Union's competition commissioner, Monti called Microsoft an abusive monopolist and issued a set of far-reaching penalties. If the decision stands up to appeal, Microsoft will be required to offer a version of its desktop Windows operating system software without the Media Player application built into it. It must also share "interface documentation" so that competitors can more readily design servers to interact with the company's software, and it must pay the European Commission a 600 million U.S. dollar fine, the biggest fine ever imposed by EU competition regulators.

Discusses how Gary Kildall, the inventor of the CP/M operating system, turned down IBM executives who wanted to use the software for IBM's first personal computer. Role of Bill Gates, who was working with IBM to develop the computer; Reason why Kildall turned down the deal; How IBM bought QDOS from Microsoft instead, later named MS-DOS.

The article focuses on virtualization application, which involves the process of wrapping the application in a layer that isolates it from the operating system and other applications and whatever the application does, it cannot affect or be affected by other running applications. Application virtualization lets a user easily distribute applications and run multiple versions of one application on the same machine. It also eases removing applications from a workstation. Companies offering this include Altiris Inc., Softricity Inc. and Thinstall.

In another milestone in extending user-friendly business intelligence software to mass users, MicroStrategy (R) Incorporated in McLean, Virginia, has unveiled a UNIX-based version of its award-winning MicroStrategy 7i platform. With the release of this new platform, called MicroStrategy 7i Universal Edition, MicroStrategy now offers the market's first business intelligence (BI) product line that is compiled to 32-bit and 64-bit modes from the same code base and can run on Microsoft (R) Windows, IBM AIX (R) and Sun Solaris (TM) Operating System. MicroStrategy 7i's unified architecture delivers a broad spectrum of BI functionality ranging from daily operational reports, ad-hoc queries and in-depth OLAP analysis.

The article reports on the move of International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) to reduce the size and cost of some of their System z systems in the U.S. The company introduced System z10 Business Class mainframe, a lower-cost and smaller version of the full-size. It is the second attempt of the company to offer a lower-cost mainframe to attract customers to Big Blue's signature computer system. The mainframe system is claimed to be an attractive offer for those smaller enterprises and midmarket companies seeking to integrate Linux workloads running on multiple x86 systems.

The article focuses on the initiatives of gOS LLC in making its Linux OS product palatable to the users of personal computers (PC). The firm collaborated the technologies of Ubunto 1.20 operating system (OS) with the Enlightenment GUI and integrated a support for Google Apps, thus creating an alternative OS for PCs. It offers all the features of that home office or small business needs. The firm also expended a savvy marketing trick to get its name recognized, like bundling the OS with a sub-$200 PC and selling it through Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

The article presents information on the development of an old personal computer into a backup server by using ChronoSync 3.3.4 computer software from the company Econ Technologies and an AirPort Extreme software from Apple Inc. One should consider the size of all users' files to take the backup on the computer server. An external FireWire drive should be connected to the server. The setup of the server depends on backups by using hard disks. One should create folders for each user to keep backups separate.

The article features NexentaOS Alpha 5, Belenix 0.5 and Schillix 0.5.2, the three LiveCD-based OpenSolaris x86 distributions from Sun Microsystems. Nexentaos combines the Solaris kernel and system core with the userland applications of Canonical’s Ubuntu. Belenix is an OpenSolaris distribution with aspirations of becoming a more complete distribution for regular installation on hard drives. Schillix offers a graphic user interface option and runs by default the ultra-slim twm window manager. Installation of Solaris packages and software installation via NetBSD’s Packages Collection is supported by Belenix.

The article presents the author's views on Microsoft Corp.'s upcoming Vista version of Windows operating system. Microsoft has added the User Account Control (UAC) feature that will be of immense help to average users. Under UAC, both administrators and standard users will be able to operate with the standard user security token.

The article focuses on the cancellation of the delivery of the WinFS file system by Microsoft Corp. The company first announced that it is no longer pursuing the separate delivery of WinFS, as well as the second release of the product, which it had long been promising. Peter O'Kelly, an analyst at Burton Group PLC said that the decision was necessary and pragmatic. Microsoft cut WinFS out of both operating systems, Vista and Longhorn, releases so it could ship them in a more timely fashion. Microsoft officials said WinFS would be made available as a stand-alone technology after Vista and Longhorn Server shipped.

The article examines the new operating system, Vista, developed by Microsoft Corp. The computer software company is set to deliver a broad-scale build of Vista to 2 million testers. It is also projected that in concurrence with the launch of the Vista builds shall be the introduction of the Office 2007. As recalled, the two Vista builds, including two interim community technology previews released in the past couple of months to beta testers known as technology adoption program. It was found out that the new operating system has suffered as variety of performance and compatibility problems. INSET: Vista: What you need to know.

The article features the Systems Management Server Beta 1 developed by Microsoft Corp. The product has enhanced configuration monitoring, operating system deployment and endpoint security management capabilities. It will be released in the first half of 2007 bearing its new name, System Center Configuration Manager 2007. The results of the test of SMS v4 Beta 1, indicated a renewed focus on Windows system configuration, user access and compliance reporting. New users of the software will need significant amount of time development policies to regulate how operating systems, applications, and policies are maintained throughout the enterprise.

The article presents a discussion on Windows' GPMC or Group Policy Management Console. Windows Vista will provide more power to Microsoft's Group Policy. Some changes are obvious, but all are significant and could cause some refocusing among third-party vendors that have sprouted up in the Microsoft ecosystem to deal with various deficiencies in previous iterations of Windows and Group Policy. Unlike previous Microsoft Group Policy management tools, the GPMC coalesces all GPO (Group Policy Objects) into a single interface and allows administrators to easily link the objects to Domains, Sites or OU (Organizational Units) in Active Directory.

The article reports that Free Standards Group (FSG) has decided to move away from a single, core Linux Standards Base (LSB) specification and will instead break the standard into separate modules. As a result, distribution vendors will be able to combine modules to create a server or desktop LSB standard, allowing them to choose the components they need rather than accepting one all-encompassing LSB. The concept of LSB modules would allow the standard that is specific to a product group apply to more technology. Chris Maresca, a senior partner at open-source consultant Olliance Group, said the company decided that rather than add everything to the LSB core, it would be better to break this up into separate parts, the first of which is on the server side. The company is thus looking at making the current ongoing server work a branch of the LSB core. Jim Zemlin, executive director of the FSG, in San Francisco, said there is interest in including the Java Runtime Environment in the standard, but the effort would be complicated by licensing issues.

The article presents information on the position of different software companies in the computer market. With a personal computer (PC) operating system market share over 90 percent, Microsoft Corp.'s Windows dominates the world's home computers. Apple computer Inc.'s operating system comes in a distant but respectable second place in the home PC market. And yet, despite the dominance of those two systems, almost any computer geek will tell that Linux--the free operating system built by a global army of skillful and passionate programmers — is far and away a better way to power the PC.

Discusses a tools-centric view of embedded Linux computer operating systems. Requirements of embedded Linux; Benefits of Linux; Availability of tools designed to support device driver development; High evolution of Linux combined with an increasing array of available Linux desktop solutions; Inclusions of Linux tools; Increase disk space requirements.

The article discusses whether Microsoft is finally about to face real competition in desktop-computer software. For years, many in the computer business have hoped that Linux, a freely available computer operating system, would become a viable alternative to Microsoft's Windows, the near universal standard for the world's personal computers. Within the past month, some of the world's most powerful technology firms have pledged considerable support for Linux on the desktop, including Dell and Sun Microsystems. By the end of the decade, Linux's share could grow, reckons Al Gillen, an analyst at technology consultancy IDC, displacing Macs as the main alternative. That would still fall far short of Linux's growing popularity in the market for powerful server computers. Linux aficionados, however, say its chances on the desktop should be better. However, despite improvements Linux faces obstacles. Some of Linux's main backers have relatively modest ambitions for the operating system. Linux's main appeal is likely to be to companies rather than home users. But the future is uncertain, and Linux still might yet represent another kind of threat to Microsoft.

SureVault 800 external hard drive unit provides robust storage capacity with the latest Fire Wire 800 technology and enhanced data protection with built-in RAID 5 support. Sure Vault is a good choice for data-intensive applications such as video/audio editing, although its price is significant. With an entry-level price of $2,200, it's much more costly than single-drive devices from LaCie Ltd., Maxtor Corp. and Western Digital Corp. The SureVault also comes bundled with a four-port PCI FireWire 800 host adapter card, which can be used for Windows and Mac OS environments. The FireWire card is a good addition because most systems today come only with Fire Wire 400 ports, and the two standards use different connectors. At 4.75 inches high and 9.25 inches wide by 12.75 inches deep, and weighing almost 15 pounds, the SureVault enclosure is rock-solid.

The article offers information on the computer system used by 3Tera's AppLogic operating system for virtualization. The system used a complex full-fledged application including operating system, database and Web server. AppLogic can also embed sofware from enterprise management systems including IBM Tivoli or Unicenter.

The article focuses on OS X 10.0, Apple Inc.'s operating system which was introduced in 2001. It informs that OS X 10.0 was the first ground-up overhaul of the Macintosh operating system since its introduction in 1984. Version 10.0 brought various design changes to the operating system platform which include Unix-based underpinnings, true preemptive multitasking, and the Aqua interface. At first 10.0 did not let users watch digital versatile discs (DVDs) or burn compact discs (CDs). It is maintained that nonnative applications have become a thing of the past, and OS X has become the truly modern operating system.

The article reports on Microsoft's Windows Vista. According to the author, many businesses have decided they won't migrate to vista as they are content with Vista's predecessor, Windows XP, and have decided that switching to the new operating system aren't worth it. According to the cover story reports, Vista has only increased the number of license shipments, but its unclear how many licenses actually have been deployed. Vista's hardware requirements and incompatibility with some applications remain a problem. He said that another common complaint of Vista is slow processing.

The author reflects on the inability by low-cost laptops to run the Microsoft Corp.'s Windows Vista operating system. He reveals that cheap laptops have no resources to run the Vista operating system because it requires 2 gigabyte. He believes that most personal computer vendors prefers to shift to Windows XP it is more stable and works with more software and equipment than Vista.

The article reports on the Microsoft's decision regarding the user's compliance with the Vista's End User Licensing Agreement (EULA). It mentions that Microsoft does not let users run the Home and Home Premium editions of the operating system under visualization on the Mac. Due to this, Mac users need to purchase the more expensive Vista Business, Ultimate, or Enterprise in order to comply with the licensing agreement. Although, Microsoft said that it would change the EULA to allow the visualization of the low-end Vista products, it maintained its original decision after reassessing the Windows visualization policy. Impacts of this decision to the end users are also discussed.

The article discusses the solutions for companies when the demand of their customers exceed the limitations of the browser based Web application model. As stated, though the best option is going in the direction of Rich Internet Applications (RIA), but the technology of RIA is changing frequently. A series of questions with solutions are provided that will help companies develop RFP that will provide right solution for their organizations. The questions included, are languages supported by the platform, cost of the platform and so on.

The article presents a question and answer related to computer industry. The reader asks about the preference of the author when comparing Windows Vista and Ubuntu 7.04, a Linux Operating System that is known for having a consumer-comprehensible interface. It has been noted that the author prefers Ubuntu such as Mozilla Firefox because of its capacity to load fast and stream faster with fewer lockups.

The article reports on the problem encountered by the computer software company CA Inc. concerning its financial accounting, and the utilization of Linux computer programs by Michael Dell, CEO at Dell Computer Corp. in the U.S. It was inferred that Ca CEO John Swainson is establishing plans of rebuilding the company after its former CEO Charles Wang was involved in company fraud. Employees from Ca have alleged Wang of carrying out wrongdoings in his management which affected Ca's operations. On the other hand, Dell has listed in his Web site the list of technologies which will be generating Linux programs in its operating systems.

The article presents information on Operating System X's built-in Stickies program to turn an old PowerPC Mac into an useful personal computer. Each family member can choose his or her own Stickies color to movie times or to a Web page. With Panic LLC's Desktastic or MacMax.org's Scriboard, one can use his/her mouse to scrawl numerous messages across the desktop. A Mac-based telephone system can give each family member his or her own mailbox. Apple Inc.'s Dashboard Weather widget can be used to display forecasts.

The article presents information on developing the interest of children in old Macintosh computers with a Website Camera Graphire4 4x5 Pen Tablet and a painting software called Tux Paint. The website camera and the painting software can turn an old computer into a digital art station. One can get refurbished tablets for as low as $80 through the online stores. Tux Paint art tools include a paintbrush, a Stamp tool and a Magic tool that lets pint-size scribblers apply textures like grass and sparkles.

The article presents news briefs related to the computer industry. Microsoft has acknowledged a privilege-escalation bug that affects XP and Vista operating systems alike. The problem could allow an attacker to make system changes that Vista's User Account Control feature would otherwise block. Apple has patched another critical hole in its popular media software that affects both the Mac OS X and Windows XP and 2000 versions. The flaw enables attacks that use poisoned links starting with rstp:// to take over the computer.

The article argues that a preloaded Linux operating system can contribute to the sales and success of a personal computer original equipment manufacturer (OEM). It is pointed out that the best benefit of a free operating system is flexibility. It is observed that there are no hassles when reinstalling the operating system. One can even put another copy of Linux on a second machine.

The article reports that Microsoft Corp. has trained 110,000 partners on the Windows Vista operating system and the Office 2007 software package. Microsoft's Upgrade the Desktop marketing campaign offers sales and marketing tools for cross selling from the desktop to server. The demonstration showcase provides partners with role-based selling tools and other tools for assisting in marketing messaging. The launch sale tool kit assists in demonstrating the customer benefits of the Exchange 2007, Office 2007, and Vista software. Microsoft is planning a series of events to coincide with the January 29, 2007 launch of Vista.

The article presents information related to the computer industry. The three-day Analyst Summit will be held from December 4-5, 2006 where SAP's technology and strategy plans will be discussed. The adoption of service-oriented architecture among SAP partners will also be discussed by SAP executives. Some of the issues of concern for the IT industry in 2007 include outsourcing Microsoft's new Windows Vista operating system. Web developers and data warehouse managers are expecting a good salary hike.