Windows
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Windows
Windows is a software operating system produced by Microsoft. Microsoft first introduced an operating environment named Windows in November 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces (GUIs).
Home, Office and Mobile Versions
There are different versions of Windows for Personal Computers, Office Servers and Mobile Phones. Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal computer market, overtaking Mac Operating System, which had been introduced previously. In 2004, it was estimated that Windows had approximately 90% of the personal computer operating system market. Windows XP is the most used personal computer version whereas the most recent personal computer version of Windows is Windows Vista. Vista's successor, Windows 7 is slated to be released between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010. For updated info you may refer Microsoft homepage.
Windows 3.1 to Windows Vista
Windows Version 3.1 made a big commercial impact and microsoft never turnd back after the introduction of this version of windows in 1992. Next came in the improved version Windows 95, Windows 98 and Win-Me (Me standing for Millennium Edition). Windows NT - the server version of windows was also popular during this period. But it was a big leap when the Windows XP was introduced in 2001. Microsoft introduced Windows Vista in 2006, Windows Home Server in 2007 and Windows 7 in 2009.
Windows XP All The Way
Though there are a various versions of Windows around us, Windows XP is the most used version at the time of writing this note. Hence, it is a must for all media persons to well verse with the Windows XP. Windows XP comes with a wonderful built-in tutorial. Other online tutorial I suggest is here. If you learn it in a computer class is even better.
You Must Know Windows XP in Detail. Why?
As a journalist, you are most likely to encounter Windows XP in most of the offices. Many journalists know just to click on an icon and open a window and type their story or complete a given task. When they encounter a minor variation or hic-up, they are lost because they don't know much about the operating system. There are a lot of security issues associated Windows. A journalist should know these aspects. Otherwise, he is vulnerable to those security issues. There are a lot of user friendly facilities like back-up, restore, search, media library, power save, Desktop management, File sharing etc.. which come in handy for the journalist if he knows them well. And lastly, he can overcome problems if there are any minor break-downs while he works. Thus, knowing Windows XP improves the working efficiency.
