| Beginner's Guide |
What is an operating system?
To talk about DistroWatch first we need to explain what an operating system is. An operating system (OS) is the software which makes your computer useful. Without an operating system your computer, phone, or tablet is just a collection of circuits, metal, and a screen. The hardware doesn't really do anything on its own, it needs instructions on how to function, how to do things, and how to interact with you.
The instructions which make your computer run is called "software" and the core software at the heart of your computer is its operating system.
You may already be familiar with a few operating systems. Your phone likely runs either Google's Android or Apple's iOS. Android and iOS are operating systems that make your phone function. Chances are if you've used a desktop or laptop computer you're familiar with either Microsoft Windows or Apple's macOS. These are also operating systems.
A modern operating system is made up of many pieces of software that tell your computer or phone how to display images on the screen, connect to the Internet, send messages, print documents, and play games.
One of the important pieces of any operating system is a special component called the kernel. A kernel is the part of the operating system which talks to the hardware. The kernel knows how to translate you tapping on your phone's screen into information your apps can use. The kernel knows how to put your laptop to sleep and wake it up again. The kernel knows how to display stuff on your phone or computer's screen.
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| TUXEDO |
TUXEDO Computers - Linux Hardware in a tailor made suite
Choose from a wide range of laptops and PCs in various sizes and shapes at TUXEDOComputers.com. Every machine comes pre-installed and ready-to-run with Linux. Full 24 months of warranty and lifetime support included!
Learn more about our full service package and all benefits from buying at TUXEDO.
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| Star Labs |
Star Labs - Laptops built for Linux.
View our range including the highly anticipated StarFighter. Available with coreboot open-source firmware and a choice of Ubuntu, elementary, Manjaro and more. Visit Star Labs for information, to buy and get support.
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