The game that will not install
Zara downloads a game on her new laptop. A message says: "This app is not compatible with your system."
The game was made for a different operating system (the main program that runs a computer). The choice of system decides what you can run. In this lesson you learn how to choose one.
By the end of this lesson
Note
I can choose a suitable operating system for a user and give reasons.
Key words
| Word | What it means |
|---|---|
| Licence | the rules for how you may use a program |
| RAM | fast memory for what is running now |
| Driver | a small program that lets the system use a device |
| Operating system | the main program that runs a computer |
| Compatible | able to work with a given system |
| Open source | its code is public, so anyone can read and change it |
| Proprietary | owned by a company that controls it |
| Mobile | made for a phone or tablet |
| Workstation | a desktop or laptop computer used for work |
| Distribution | one version of Linux, put together by a group |
The cells students fill in are left blank in this preview.
Starter
Have a go
Starter
3 questionsYour answers are marked here and are not kept. A college account keeps every student’s marks.
Three groups of system
A mobile system runs on phones and tablets. It is made for touch screens and small batteries. Android and iOS are mobile systems.
A workstation system runs on desktops and laptops. Windows, macOS and Linux are workstation systems.
Open source and proprietary
Open source means the code is public. Anyone can read it, change it and share it. Linux is open source. It comes in many versions, called distributions. Ubuntu is one.
Proprietary means a company owns it. Windows, macOS and iOS are proprietary. You use them under the company's rules.
Common systems side by side
| System | Runs on | Open or proprietary | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows | Desktops and laptops from many makers | Proprietary | Runs the most software and games |
| macOS | Apple computers only | Proprietary | Popular for design and video |
| Linux | Almost any computer | Open source | Free, and common on servers |
| Android | Phones and tablets from many makers | Mostly open source | Apps come from stores |
| iOS | Apple phones and tablets | Proprietary | Apps come from one store |
The cells students fill in are left blank in this preview.
Check
Have a go
Check
3 questionsYour answers are marked here and are not kept. A college account keeps every student’s marks.