OPERATING SYSTEM

What Should Be in an Operating System?

Microsoft includes a Web browser, movie making software, a word processing program, plug-ins, a personal firewall, spyware remover, and other programs, utilities. and features with its Windows operating systems, Apple bundles QuickTime, CD burning software, and others programs, utilities, and features into Mac OS X. Manufactures say that combning additional features and programs with their operating system is a convinence for consumers and something integral to the OS was the proximate cause of an antirust action againts the sofware giant. Microsoft no onger includes its media player and other software in its Windows Vista OS that it sells in the European Union and other countries as a result of antiturst action. Critics also insist that building applications with an OS forces consumers to pay for programs that may be inferior to those available elsewhere. Is building applications with an OS fair, or is it a monopolistic pratice? Why? Who should decide what an OS should include? Why? Should computer manufactures be allowed to choose which bundled applications are installed on computers that they ship to consumers? Why? or why not?

Who Should Be Responsible for Notebook Computer Security?

as notebook computers now outsell desktop computers, they increasingly have become the focus of security breaches. A notebook computers greatest asset, protability, also may be its greatest weakness. Recently, the theft of notebook computers from an employee`s home resulted in information regarding more than 25 million veterans to fall into the wrong hands. Theinformation included social Security numbers, and the resulting fallout cost the organization millions of dollars. Security experts claim that organizations have become lax about allowing employees to store sensitive informations on notebook computers. Too often, they argue, organizations allowing employees to take computers home on a daily basis when no such need exist. Employers, on the other hand, fell that workers are more productive when allowed to work during the evenings and weekends using notebook computers. On possible solution is the use of full-disk encryption, wich scrambles all of the notebook computer`s data on its hard disk and a requires a password to unlock. If the computers is stolen, the thief cannot access the data on the hard disk. Those who opposed the widespread use of full-disk encryption say that its use result in slowers system performance, is still vulnerable when users are laz with securing their passwords, and my result in lost data when an employee leaves the organization without disclosing the password. Who should be responsible for notebook computers security? Why? Should empoyees be allowed to take their notebook computers be taken offsite only for legitimate, preapproved business purposes? Why or why not? Should more organization use full-disk encryption? Why or why not?