Operating Systems and Microsoft Essay

Windows Versus Mac Operating Systems

The cartoon above underscores the strong preferences that computer users have for one operating system or the other, but to the casual user, the differences may not be readily discernible. To determine which operating system is best and for what purposes, this paper reviews the literature and provides a series of selected online resources that can help with Windows 8 training and troubleshooting, including a summary of each.

Mac versus Windows Operating Systems

According to Lorenzetti (2009), the Mac operating system (OS) that powers Apple brand computers has held a competitive advantage over the Windows OS in the educational field. This dominance may be attributable, at least in part, to the early inroads Mac made in providing hardware and software for schools, and many district administrators felt it would be unwise to pursue an alternate approach (Lorenzetti, 2009). In reality, Mac did offer some distinct advantages for users with specialized needs such as artists, engineers, and designers 20 years ago, but the precise differences between the operating systems in terms of their look-and-feel and click-and-point aspects makes them quite similar for conventional applications. Moreover, more aggressive marketing practices by Microsoft has eroded even this lead in the educational field (Lorenzetti, 2009). Nevertheless, Mac remains superior in terms of graphic editing capabilities and digital authoring tools, and these attributes make it a superior choice for users with these specialized needs (Intel-based Mac computers improve teaching and learning, 2007).

Windows 8 training and troubleshooting

A listing and summary of selected online Windows 8 training and troubleshooting resources are provided in Table 1 below.

Table 1

Selected online Windows 8 training and troubleshooting resources

Resource

Summary

https://mva.microsoft.com/en-us/training-courses/troubleshooting-windows-8-8227

This is a video tutorial provided by the Microsoft Virtual Academy that offers several troubleshooting tip and tricks from the company's field engineers for Windows 8.

http://www.gcflearnfree.org/ windows8/

This tutorial provides information concerning setting up and using Windows 8 (and 8.1).

http://www.customguide.com/microsoft-office-training/windows-8-training

This is an interactive tutorial, also offered by Microsoft, that allows users to advance at their own pace depending on their level of expertise with Windows 8.

https://www.lynda.com/Windows-tutorials/Windows-8-Essential-Training/84572-2.html

This is a video tutorial that introduces the new features of Windows 8 and provides tips on how to use them efficiently.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2040064/learn-windows-8-basics-with-microsofts-training-brochure.html

Sponsored by PC World, this resource offers a brochure from Microsoft that includes troubleshooting hints and tips.

References

Intel-Based Mac computers improve teaching and learning. (2007, May). Technology…