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UNIX
from:UNIX is a computer operating system originally developed in the 60’s and 70’s by a group of AT & T employees at Bell Laboratories. UNIX operating systems are widely used in both servers and work stations primarily by large corporations. The UNIX environment and the client-server program model were essential elements in the development of the Internet and the reshaping of computing as centered in networks rather than in individual computers.
Both UNIX and the C programming language were developed by AT & T and distributed to government and academic institutions causing both to be opened up to a wider variety of machine families than any other operating systems. As a result, UNIX became synonymous with “open systems”.
UNIX systems are characterized by various concepts. They are known as the UNIX philosophy and they include:
* The use of plain text for storing data
* A hierarchical file system
* Being able to treat devices and certain types of inter-process communication as files
* The use of a large number of small program that can be strung together through a command line interpreter using “pipes” as opposed to using a single program with the same functionality
Under UNIX, the operating system is many utilities along with a master control program called the kernel. The kernel provides services to start and stop programs, handle the file system along with other common “high level” tasks that most programs share. Most importantly, UNIX schedules access to hardware to avoid conflicts if two programs try to access the same resource or device simultaneously. To mediate this access, the kernel was given special rights on the system. This divided the space into two sections: the user space and the kernel space.
UNIX has been the basis for many other offshoot operating systems including Linux and GNU. While UNIX is an operating system, it is one that is meant for larger mainframe computers as opposed to individual personal computers. It is widely considered to be the basis for many operating systems that have been developed and honed over the years.
The technology provided by the UNIX system led to other developments in computer mainframe and server technology. It is now widely used by corporations such as AT & T, Sun Micro Systems, and Novell.
Often referred to as “the most important operating system you’ll never use”, UNIX became an important advancement in computer programming. In fact, it remains an important part of many new operating systems currently in development.
Windows Vista Upgrade Program Specific links
Windows Vista Upgrade Program News
Free Windows 7 upgrades coming in July - PC Advisor
Those buying Windows Vista PCs after July 1 will be offered free or discounted Windows 7 upgrades, according to TechARP.com, a Malaysian website that correctly named the release-to-manufacturing (RTM) dates for several Windows editions last year ...
Read more...Microsoft Offers Discount Coupons for Upgrade to Windows Vista OS - PC World
In an effort to mollify hardware vendors worried that delays in the Windows Vista launch will dampen holiday PC sales, Microsoft is offering a discount to consumers and small businesses that want to upgrade from Windows XP to the Vista operating ...
Read more...Consumer Nightmare: Vista Express Upgrade - PC World
Nearly two months after the release of Microsoft's newest PC operating system, many customers who signed up for the Windows Vista Express Upgrade program when they bought a Windows XP-based machine are still waiting for their software. Due to large ...
Read more...Report: Microsoft to do free Windows 7 upgrades - Infoworld
Microsoft Corp. will offer free or discounted Windows 7 upgrades to users who buy Vista PCs after July 1, according to a Web site that has accurately predicted the company's moves in the past. TechARP.com, a Malaysian Web site that correctly named ...
Read more...Buy a Vista PC as of July 1, upgrade to Windows 7 for free - Ars Technica
Information that Tech ARP has gathered about the Windows 7 Upgrade Program seems to be inline with a previous rumor about three upgrade scenarios for Vista to Windows 7: Home Premium to Home Premium, Business to Professional, and Ultimate to Ultimate ...
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