A cluster is the smallest unit of savable space a-part of hard disk sector. All clusters are assigned a unique number and keeps track of what files that cluster contains. Cluster numbers can be re-assigned (which helps free up space) using the “Scandisk” utility in Windows or “Disk Utility” in Mac OS. An used area of a cluster that can’t be reused in known as “cluster overhang”.
Written by Clio
A Batch File is a file that contains a sequence of commands that can be executed without having to type each individual command. Batch Files always end in the extension .bat, and are convenient for DOS and UNIX users to execute multiple commands at once. For example, using the command edit in DOS, typing the following commands: cls, date, time, cd \ would clear the screen, display date and time, and change to the root directory if the file is saved as filename.bat. Then, typing filename.bat at the prompt would run the mentioned commands.
Written by Clio
The Operating System (OS) is a generic term that supervises application programs and all input and output functionality of the computer. An output on a monitor, keeping track of files and directories on the disk, and controlling peripheral devices such as disk drives and printers are all examples of some of the things the OS does. Without the operating system, users couldn’t interact with the computer. Windows Vista, Mac OS X, and Linux Ubuntu are examples of operating systems. All modern OS’s have similar characteristics:
Operating System Characteristics:
- User Interface
- Command Processor - (CLI or GUI)
- Job Management - Controls the order and time which programs run
- Task Management - Controls more than one program at a time; allowing multitasking
- Memory Mangement - Placement of programs and data in memory
- File Management - Involves reading, writing, or modifying data on a storage device
- Device Management - Controls hardware using device drivers
Operating System Catagories:
- Single user, Single Tasking - User does one task at a time. Uses little memory and power.
Example: Palm OS.- Single User, Multitasking - One user performing more than one task at a time. GUI and large storage and memory requirements.
Example: Windows/Macintosh.- Multi User, Multitasking - More than one user performing more than one task at a time on the same computer.
Example: Terminal Access on a Server; UNIX.- Realtime - Works with realtime application programs used in hardware.
Example: Medical/Science Equipment.
Written by Clio
Compiz is native to the Linux Ubuntu OS which acts a compositing manager. It allows for many pleasing effects such as window animations, effects, and of course: the cube. These effects add a very ascetically pleasing look to the desktop environment.
To install CCSM, open the terminal and input the following command:
sudo aptitude install compizconfig-settings-manager
This will install CCSM. To access it through the Gnome menu in Ubuntu 8.10, go to System, Preferences, CompizConfig Settings Manager. When you open it, it’ll look like this:
From there, you can activate and change various plug-ins for different effects that you wish to have.
Written by Clio
Ubuntu Pocket Guide
The free operating system is now also available with a free reference guide.
The guide is geared towards the novice user and covers Ubuntu’s main functionalities and features:
- Focuses on core competencies and background knowledge needed to be an expert Ubuntu user;
- Readable, accessible, and easy to understand—even if you’ve never used Linux before;
- 100% new and original! Written from the ground-up to cover Ubuntu 8.04 and 8.10.
Ubuntu Pocket and Reference Guide
Written by Pinkie
DOS (which stands for Disk Operating System) is a operating system developed by Microsoft and “introduced on the original IBM PC in 1982″ (Parsons and Oja 2008). DOS is also known as Windows Command Line, Command Prompt, CMD.exe, or command.com.
DOS features a command line interface where the user must enter commands to execute processes. This is in great contrast to the “point and click” graphical user interfaces of today like XP and Vista. DOS has provided a kernel for almost all their operating systems including 3.1, 95, 98, Me, 2000, and XP. (Parsons and Oja 2008). During the 80’s, there were thousands of software programs out there for DOS such as Visicalc. By today’s standards and it’s command line interface however, these program are considered crude and obsolete.
DOS features commands that are both internal and external commands which require a proper order or syntax as well as parameters to execute effectively by a user. Because of this, DOS is not user friendly.
If you’re using a Windows based computer, you can get to DOS by going to “Start”, “All Programs”, “Accessories”, and then “Command Prompt.”
Advantages/Disadvantages
There’s not many advantages to using DOS for the average PC user:
- The kernel is extremely small. The OS could fit on a floppy disk.
- If you know to use it, you can execute commands faster than using the GUI.
Now, the disadvantages are many based on today’s modern, easier-to-use OS’s:
- As mentioned, DOS is a command line interface; no GUI
- Requires knowing the DOS commands.
- DOS only support the 8.3 format for file names. This means file names are limited to eight characters with a three digit file extension.
- Proper order or syntax of commands is required.
- Requires moving through numerous file directories to find what you’re looking for (unless you already know where it’s located)
Written by Clio
Source:
1 Parsons, June, and Dan Oja. Computer Concepts. 10th edition. Boston: Thomson Course Technology, 2008.
2 Chu, Clio. “DOS 101.” Pikachu’s Hideaway. 20 Dec 2008. 20 Jan 2009 http://pikachushideaway.pichusworld.net/dos101.php.
Windows Sidebar is a program accessory in the start menu which first came about in Windows Vista. This is where numerous “Gadgets” can be accessed in Vista. These Gadgets are useful tools that include a calculator, weather, calendar, and many many more. A user can manage their gadgets and add/remove them as they please. Gadgets can also be moved around the desktop and easily be hidden away.
Users can also download more widgets at this page: http://vista.gallery.microsoft.com/vista/SideBar.aspx?mkt=en-us
Vista’s Gadgets is comparable to Mac’s Dashboard. In Mac however, Gadgets are called “Widgets”.
Writtin by Clio
Dashboard is a program proprietary to Macintosh. This is where numerous “Widgets” can be accessed in Mac OS X. These Widgets are useful tools that include a calculator, weather, calendar, and many many more. A user can manage their widgets and add/remove them as they please. Widgets can also be moved around the desktop and easily be hidden away.
Users can also download more widgets at this page: http://www.apple.com/downloads/dashboard/?r=dbw
Mac’s Dashboard is comparable to Window Vista’s Sidebar. In Vista however, Widgets are called “Gadgets”.
Writtin by Clio
Explanation of Bandwidth
Bandwidth is a term used greatly among web hosting providers, and yet, they never seem to explain what it is. If you are looking for somewhere to store your website, it is important to take many things into account. Space and bandwidth are the main ones to look out for.
What is bandwidth?
Bandwidth is the transmission capacity of a network. In terms of web hosting, it is how much data can go back and forth from the server to the viewer.
Think of it as a pile of thousands of apples. A person comes along and says, “Can I have 1 apple please?”. A shop keeper walks to the pile, grabs 1 apple, and brings it back to the persons who wanted it. The apple can be our “data”. Now, imagine if there were loads of people, each wanted 1, 2 ,3 or even more apples at once. The shop keeper can only carry, let’s say, 30 apples each go. The shop keeper would be flooded with requests, and wouldn’t be able to carry them out. Think of this as the “bandwidth limit”. No more apples, or data, would be able to be transferred to any other people.
Why is it important?
With web hosting, if you go over your bandwidth limit, you site will be suspended. This means that no one will be able to view it. Whether your hosting provider requests for you to pay for using to much bandwidth (that’s the minority, but they still do), or whether they just suspend your cycle until the limit counter is reset depends on who you’re hosted with.
If a company says “30 Gb” bandwidth, than that means 30 Gigabytes of bandwidth per month. Bandwidth is measured acumatively, meaning that it is added up bit by bit. For example, if you use 30Mb of bandwidth on day 1, and 20Mb on day 2, the total bandwidth that you’ve used is 30Mb + 20 Mb = 50Mb. The bandwidth counter is reset every month. However, some companies do impose daily limits as well.
How do I know how much bandwidth I’m using?
It depends from host to host. Many display a little bar which tells you have much percentage you’ve used in your on-line control panel. Some hosts do not tell you how much bandwidth you are using, even if there are limits.
Unlimited bandwidth!?
This is something that I see all over the place. It is impossible to have unlimited bandwidth. It takes a bit of logic to work that one out; there will always be a limit otherwise servers would crash. Even the most powerful servers on the world (such as the ones that power Google, etc) have their limits, although those limits may be extraordinarily high.
However, unmetered bandwidth is possible. This is when bandwidth isn’t measured at all; you are free to use as much as you like. But if you were to upload something that would use more bandwidth than the server can handle (which is impossible to do for the average person, trust me), then obviously they would kick you out. That’s why it should not be called unlimited. A limit does exist, it’s just that you won’t ever break it. Therefore, if it says “unlimited bandwidth”, one can assume that one may use as much bandwidth as they like. Even on proper hosting companies, unlimited is mentioned all over the place, although that word does not mean “without any limit”.
Remember! Unlimited and unmetered are not the same; those words cannot be interchangeable. Learn the difference today and you’ll know something more that many others know out there.
What consumes bandwidth?
Here’s a quick list of what uses bandwidth:
- Downloads (files). The bigger the file, the more bandwidth is consumed. Large files consume the most bandwidth.
- Images. The higher the file size, the more bandwidth is consumed; use GIFs and JPGs instead of PNGs and BMPs.
- Text. The more text there is on a page, the more bandwidth is used.
- Pop-ups. These tend to consume a small amount of bandwidth.
- Tables, but only minimally.
How much do I need?
The amount of bandwidth depends on various factors; there is no straightforward answer. The main ones are how much text and the size of the images on your site, and how many hits you receive (how many hits you get).
If you would like an approximation, use my bandwidth calculator, although, this can only produce an approximation.
What is bandwidth measured in?
If you’re going to compare hosting plans, it’s important that you use the same units, as you would do with the price (e.g. £GBP into $USD, or whatever). Most sites measure bandwidth in Gigabytes (Gb), but I’ve seen some measure it in Megabytes (Mb) instead.
Written by Pinkie
Source:
1 Pichu, Pinkie. “Explanation of Bandwidth.” Pichu’s World. 04 Apr 2008. 16 Jan 2009 http://pichusworld.net/bandw.php.
A partitioned disc is a hard disk divided into one or more logical sections.
System Partition: The system partition contains the files needed to start up the computer. Depending on the OS, the file system type may be FAT, FAT32, or NTFS. In Windows for example, DOS is apart of the system partition which uses FAT (acronym for File Allocation Table).
Boot Partition: The boot partition contains the files of the operating system (Windows Vista, Macintosh OS X, etc). With newer operating systems, the NTFS (acronym for New Technology File System) is used.
Note: Although the terms would seem like they mean the opposite things (ex: You would think the “Boot” Partition would contain the files needed to start the OS), they do not and are reversed and defined correctly above.
Written by Clio