Web browser

This is application software for browsing the web, viewing documents, managing web applications, and performing other tasks on the Internet. The browser processes user requests, sends them to a server, retrieves data from the server, and outputs them as web pages.

Browsers are distributed free of charge. Microsoft Edge comes as part of the Windows operating system. Mozilla Firefox - separately or as part of Linux distributions. Safari is available on Mac OS. Google Chrome, Opera, and many other browsers - as a standalone application, they are downloaded separately.

Browser functions

• Downloading of various files
• Storage of data (passwords, bookmarks for important resources, history of visits)
• Information exchange (e-mail, chats, forums, social networks)
• Online commerce
• Online education

Microsoft Office

This is a Microsoft Office application package for the Windows, Android, macOS, and iOS operating systems. It includes software for working with texts, spreadsheets, databases, images, etc.

At present, Microsoft provides the purchase of Office in several options:

1. Microsoft 365. Provides the right to use the latest versions of Microsoft Office applications, as well as a number of certain services (Exchange Online, OneDrive, Skype for Business, etc.) on a monthly or annual subscription basis. Users can choose the type of plan that is suitable for them:

• for home and family
• for business
• for enterprise
• for education.

The type of plan will determine what applications you will have on your computer.

2. Office 2021. Purchased as a lump sum and gives you the right to use the Office version in perpetuity. Microsoft regularly updates the Office package by adding new applications or special tools. However, if you buy a particular version of Microsoft Office, for example, 2021, you can't upgrade to the next version of Office for free. You must purchase the new version at full price to upgrade.

Microsoft office also provides several plan options:

• Office for home and study 2021
• Office for home and business 2021
• Office Professional 2021.

Composition

• Microsoft Word is a text editor. It allows you to work with documents of various complexity.
• Microsoft Excel is a table editor. Supports all functions for creating tables of any complexity.
• Microsoft Outlook is a personal communicator. It includes a task scheduler, an e-mail manager, a calendar, and an address book.
• Microsoft PowerPoint - a program for preparing presentations.
• Windows Access - database management application.
• Microsoft Communicator (Microsoft Lync) - designed for organizing communication between people by means of voice, video conversations, and text messages.
• Microsoft Publisher - an application for producing a variety of publications. The application contains tools to help you create, customize and use marketing materials.
• Microsoft Visio - An application for working with business diagrams and technical charts.
• Microsoft Project is an application for project management.
• Microsoft Query - application for viewing and selecting information from databases.
• Microsoft OneNote is an application for recording and managing notes.
• Microsoft SharePoint Designer is an application for building applications on the Microsoft SharePoint platform.
• Microsoft Picture Manager is an application for working with images.
• Microsoft Document Image Writer is a virtual printer that prints Microsoft Document Imaging Format.
• Microsoft Diagnostics - diagnostics and recovery of damaged Microsoft Office applications.

Antivirus software

This is a program designed to recognize and fight computer viruses and malicious unwanted programs. In their work, these programs use different principles to find and cure infected files. For the normal operation of a PC, every user should keep an antivirus program updated as the developers of the virus programs are constantly improving them. Users can install antivirus software as part of the software or as a stand-alone application

If the antivirus program detects a virus in the file, it deletes the program code of the virus from it. If treatment is not possible, the infected file is completely deleted.

Device drivers

A driver is a program by which the operating system understands which devices are connected to your computer and how best to communicate with them. Drivers are developed by the manufacturers of these devices (graphics card, network card, sound card, printer, etc.).

For example, you may have purchased an input device, connected it to your computer, and see that the computer does not recognize it. When you install the necessary drivers for the device, the computer will understand what the device is, what it does, and how to use it. The drivers are installed from the disk that comes with the device, or from the official website of the device manufacturer. Or, for example, you bought a sound card, installed it, and noticed that you didn't experience a difference in the sound. In this case, too, you need to install the drivers for that sound card for the device to work properly.

Drivers need to be updated regularly for your computer devices to work properly.

Basic Programs

These are programs that are integrated into the operating system. That is, they do not need to be installed, they are already in your computer from the first time it is started.

Notepad

This is a simple text editor. You can use it to enter text, edit it, and save it on your computer. All text files created by Notepad have the ".txt" extension. If you change the font or character size - it changes in the whole file. You cannot change the style of individual characters.  Documents created in Notepad take up very little space on your computer.

If you put the code sequence ".LOG" in the topmost line of the program and save it, the current date and time are added to the file after opening it.

This program is mainly used as a day planner. More advanced users can write special commands into the notepad and use it to make a simple web page, or write simple programs.

Calculator

The calculator is designed to perform computational operations. Its interface imitates the appearance of a real calculator. Its buttons are pressed with the mouse, and numeric input is possible with the keyboard.

You can paste already prepared mathematical expressions into it and get the final result. For example, if you type "2*2=" in notepad, copy and paste it with "Ctrl+V" key combination into the calculator window, you will see the number 4 in the calculator window.

Operation modes

The calculator has several operation modes: normal, engineering, graphing, programmer, and date calculation. Also, the calculator is capable of converting currencies, volume, length, weight and mass, temperature, energy, area, speed, time, power, data, pressure and angle.

Paint

This is a multifunctional graphics editor. It is designed to create and edit drawings of different colors and designs.

You can use it to delete, paint over, or blur any unwanted parts of an image.

Tools

• Tool for freehand drawing of lines.
• A tool for drawing lines in the form of a pen.
• Creates a spot of pixels in the workspace.
• Deletes elements of the image, leaving the background color.
• Creation of standard shapes in the form of a rectangle, a rounded rectangle, a polygon, an ellipse.
• Fill fills areas outlined by curved lines with color.
• Allows you to select a color from the drawing. If you put the cursor on the desired color and press the left mouse button, the color you choose becomes the main color, and if you press the right mouse button, it becomes the background color.
• Allows you to select any required fragment of the area with the left mouse button pressed. You can do any manipulations with the selected area (move, paste into drawing or remove to clipboard, cut).

Paint 3D

This is an improved version of the graphics editor. Here you can create 3D objects in volume.  You can add three-dimensional objects to your project from the built-in library, or you can use special tools to create your own.

Windows Explorer

This program allows the user to navigate the file system of your PC and manage their folders and files. It is the main graphical shell for the user. Without this program the user would not be able to fully use the operating system.

Windows Explorer includes the following tools:

• Desktop icons and the desktop itself
• Taskbar

In the latest versions of Windows, the Start menu is used separately from Windows Explorer. If for some reason Windows Explorer hangs up, the Start menu works independently of it. This is implemented in Windows 7 and higher.

Capabilities

• Create, open, copy, delete, rename files and folders.
• Manage connected disks, flash drives, and local storages.

Recycle bin

This is an element of the graphical user interface. It is designed to delete and temporarily store deleted objects. If you right-click on the recycle bin and select "Clear Recycle Bin" - all files in the recycle bin are irretrievably deleted.

1 – Empty recycle bin

2 – Recycle bin with files

macOS

It is the operating system developed at Apple Inc. macOS operating systems are the second most common operating system after Windows. They represent about 5% of the world's active computers.

This operating system is close to Linux because the macOS kernel is based on the Unix kernel, the predecessor of Linux.

This operating system is primarily oriented towards work. A large number of handy programs and applications for work and a small number of available games prove this point.

Advantages

• Fast performance and high optimization. Apple is not only a software developer, but also a creator of system units, monoblocks, and portable computers. The company's engineers strive for the best performance of the devices.
• Convenient streamlined application management, simple user interface.

• There are few malware (viruses) if you purchase apps only from official developers. The App Store will not release a malicious application, but having an anti-virus will not be out of place.
• Useful built-in programs. macOS already includes a full-featured office for work, including a word processor, spreadsheet and presentation editor, and an app for video, graphics, and audio.
• Excellent interaction between the devices of Apple products. The iPhone smartphone, iPad tablet, and Apple Watch are the best when they interact with iMac. For example, a user can start solving a task on an iOS device (iPhone, iPad) and continue to solve it with a program installed on the iMac. This includes synchronizing information between devices or moving documents in the same cloud storage iCloud.

Disadvantages

Apple devices are shipped to the store already assembled. Important components such as the processor or RAM may be soldered to the motherboard. In case of replacement of these components, there may be problems with their recognition in the system, because the hardware identifiers of the system components are programmed in the operating system.

• A small number of entertainment applications

To run a particular game may require an emulator or installation of Windows by a second system through a special application.

Linux

Linux operating system logo

Linux is an operating system based on the concept of open-source and free software.

The Linux operating system is free to use for any purpose.

A distribution is a version of an operating system, which consists of a variety of tools and interfaces associated with the operating system kernel. There are a huge number of Linux operating system distributions, such as:

1. Ubuntu
2. Mint
3. Elementary

There are some special distributions available for supercomputers, servers, and many others.

These distributions provide an opportunity for the user to choose the most suitable operating system for him/herself. There are distributions for comfortable viewing and listening to media content, for gaming, and for simplified operating systems. The Linux kernel is used by Android and for most smart devices, including televisions or refrigerators. There are over 9,000 Linux distributions in total.

Linux is a secure and stable operating system. That is how its developers talk about it. Therefore, Linux is often used on servers and other high-risk hardware. Linux is also lighter and less resource-intensive than Windows, so users choose Linux for high computing speed. Programmers use Linux choosing a special distribution with a minimal interface design and background processes, thereby increasing computing performance.

However, if you have not used Linux before, you will have to devote a lot of time to figuring out even the simplest distributions. For example, most programs are not downloaded to the operating system through a web browser, and through a package manager, which downloads software from archives. The APP store and Play Market on smartphones follow the same pattern. Most of the programs in the package manager are available for free.

If you want to install a computer game on Linux there may be complications. You may have to run a special Windows compatibility shell to run the game. However, there are more than a thousand games for Linux on Steam.

Advantages and disadvantages

• The main feature of Linux is the almost complete absence of viruses. This is because Linux, as a home operating system, is used by a small number of users. Approximately 1% of users worldwide use Linux on their home PCs.
• Linux distributions have a wide variety and are mostly free.
• Most hardware drivers are already installed in the Linux kernel.
• The system automatically encrypts disks to protect information and files.
• Linux has compatibility issues with other devices such as printers, scanners, or routers because these devices are mostly designed to work with Windows.
• Linux does not have programs such as Photoshop, Microsoft Word, and Excel.

Microsoft Windows

An operating system is a set of programs for managing your computer.

Windows is an operating system developed by Microsoft Corporation. Windows is a paid operating system that is activated with a license key.

This operating system starts at the same time as the computer is turned on. It allows the user to work with files, use the Internet and run programs, games, music.

Basic Windows Apps and Software:

• Calculator
• Notepad
• Paint photo editor
• Edge browser for surfing the Internet
• Music and video player
• Antivirus

Windows versions:

• Home Edition. This is the version for home use with simple functionality.
• This is the version for more advanced users with improved functionality.
• Enterprise - a version for corporate organizations.

Operating system versions

• Windows 1.0 (1985)
• Windows 2.0 - 2.1 (1987-1988)
• Windows 3.0 - 3.2 (1990-1994)
• Windows NT 3.1 - 3.51 (1993-1995)
• Windows 95 — Windows 4.0 (1995)
• Windows NT 4.0 (1996)
• Windows 98 — Windows 4.1 (1998)
• Windows 2000 — Windows NT 5.0 (1999)
• Windows ME — Windows 4.9 (2000)
• Windows XP — Windows NT 5.1 - 5.2 (2001-2005)
• Windows Vista — Windows NT 6.0 (2006)
• Windows 7 — Windows NT 6.1 (2009)
• Windows 8 — Windows NT 6.2 (2012)
• Windows 8.1 — Windows NT 6.3 (2013)
• Windows 10 — Windows NT 10.0 (2015)
• Windows 11 — Windows NT 10.0 (2021)

The Windows operating system is installed on more than 90% of all computers.

HDD Installation

Description

Hard disk drives are available in 2.5" and 3.5" formats. The 2.5" HDD form factor is produced for laptops; it consumes less power but is slower than the 3.5" HDD.

For desktop computers, choosing an internal HDD in the 3.5 form factor with a SATA III connection is recommended.

Connecting

The 2.5" and 3.5" HDDs are connected to the computer with a SATA cable and a power supply cable.

1 – SATA cable

2 – HDD power cable from a power supply

3 – HDD power adapter for MOLEX connector

A SATA cable plugs into the motherboard connector (SATA 1, SATA 2, SATA 3). This cable transmits data from the solid-state drive to the motherboard. The difference between SATA connectors is their bandwidth:

• SATA I –1.5 Gbit/s
• SATA II – 3 Gbit/s
• SATA III – 6 Gbit/s

Installation

Before installation, you must completely switch off the computer's power and remove the side cover of the computer case.

To install the HDD, you will need a screwdriver (or maybe not).

The HDDs are installed in the compartment for data storage devices.

This compartment is located in the front bottom part of the computer case

Almost all cases have a fan to blow air through the compartment for data storage devices. The convenient location of the HDD does not interfere with the air circulation in the computer case.

Choose the place where to install your HDD.

Fix the HDD in the compartment for data storage devices using the screws that came with the HDD.

Connect the SATA cable to the motherboard and HDD. And connect the power cable.

An additional bracket is required to install the 2.5" format, as the compartment for data storage devices in the computer case is designed for 3.5".

Place the 2.5" HDD on the dedicated bracket, then secure the bracket in the compartment for data storage devices.

Some computer cases are equipped with a mobile chassis for data storage devices. In this case it is easier to install the HDD. You need to insert the HDD into the mobile chassis and connect the power supply.

External HDDs are connected via a USB connector. If this is the case, use a more modern USB connector (3.0 or higher) to increase the transmission speed

SSD Installation

Solid State Drives (SSD) are available in 2.5", 3.5" or m.2 format.

Connection

The 2.5" and 3.5" SSDs are connected to the computer with a SATA cable and power supply cable.

1 – SATA cable

2 – SSD power cable from a power supply

3 – SSD power adapter for MOLEX connector

A SATA cable plugs into a motherboard connector (SATA 1, SATA 2, SATA 3 connectors). This cable transmits data from the SSD to the motherboard. The difference between SATA connectors is their bandwidth:

• SATA I – 1.5 Gbit/s
• SATA II – 3 Gbit/s
• SATA III – 6 Gbit/s

SSD in m.2 format is plugged into the motherboard in the corresponding slot. SSD in this format has a higher read-write speed.

If you don't have an SSD m.2 slot, you can purchase a PCI Express m.2 adapter.

Installation of 2.5" and 3.5" SSD

Before installing, you must completely switch off the computer's power and remove the side cover of the computer case.

You will need a screwdriver to install the SSD.

SSDs are installed in the compartment for data storage devices.

This compartment is located in the front bottom part of the computer case

Almost all cases have a fan to blow air through the compartment for data storage devices. The convenient location of the SSD does not interfere with the air circulation in the computer case.

A dedicated bracket is included in the package for the 2.5" SSD, as the size of the 2.5" SSD does not allow it to be fully inserted into the compartment.

To install, you must first fix the SSD to the bracket using the screws that came with it. Next, fasten the bracket in the compartment.

After installation, the SATA cable and power cable must be connected.

The 3.5" SSD is the same size as a hard disk drive and can be easily fitted into the compartment for data storage devices without any bracket.

Installation of an m.2 SSD

You will need a screwdriver to install the m.2 SSD.

A complication in installing the board may be that the video card may have to be removed. This is because the connector is located in close proximity to the PCI Express x16 connector (for video cards).  

Insert the board into the slot and secure it with the retaining screw.

Installation of external SSDs

External SSDs are connected via a USB connector. In this case, use a more modern USB connector (3.0 or higher) to increase data transmission speed.