ITC 3001 Unit 1 Journal

Which operating system (OS) do you identify with and use on a regular basis? Why do you like or dislike the OS that you use? If you were given the opportunity to make one change to your OS, what would it be? Why?

While I have had the opportunity to utilize Microsoft’s Windows, Apple’s iOS, and Google’s Chrome OS, I am most comfortable with Windows. I have had the least experience with Chrome OS, but am very familiar with the Chrome browser and associated extensions. I currently use Chrome applications as well. I often use Google Drive, Google Photos, and Google Maps both mobile and desktop versions. That said, my limited use of Google’s Chromebook and the Chrome OS is something I would like to change some time in the future as I am a fan of the rest of their platform.

Working with Windows for several years via several different personal & work computers makes me most comfortable with it. I have an above average understanding of the Windows file system, basic registry actions, and memory demands. I was lucky enough to have used old DEC main-frame machines while a youngster. The memory drives looked like large round discs and they were installed, as needed, into CPU’s the size of a washing machine. This history with vintage machines allows for a greater appreciation of today’s devices and what IBM, Microsoft, and Apple did for personal computing.

I enjoy the ease of use of the Windows operating system and the ability to launch several applications at the same time. Printing from any window or enabled program allows the user the ability to have a physical copy of needed work while streaming music in another window and burning a DVD in another.

Since Windows is so easy to use, it has led the world in personal computing for many years worldwide. If there was something I could change, it would have been in the area of security. While Microsoft has seemingly gotten this to a reasonable level with Windows 10, former systems were simply not patched soon enough nor was enough attention given to closing security holes. The result ranged from headache at best for those affected to utter disaster to others. Some lost personal data, historical documents, credit / financial information, or even devastating monitory loss. While Windows 10 is safer and easier to use, exploits are still possible and can be wide-reaching. People easily fall for phishing or other user-launched attacks which has led to the rise of ransomware attacks. Employers, who often has the most to lose from these them, must provide and insist employees take additional training on how to detect and ignore these exploits.