Operating systems are used everywhere. From personal home computers to workstations, to office PCs, they are always in use. Are you in IT, an accountant, or someone interested in learning more about computers? Knowing how operating systems relate to one another and what they do could help you. Operating systems can improve your work speed and increase productivity by automating tasks. But one thing to keep in mind is that the use of OS’s is not restricted to personal computers. Networks and batch filing processes make use of operating systems.

Here are the three different types of operating systems that tech users and computer enthusiasts may encounter.

Batch processing operating systems: These are used for executing repetitive tasks or chunks of work using automation. An automated punch card is a good example of this. You simply program the task, and the computer will execute it. In this instance, the computer can be defined as any device that does computations or process. Don’t restrict your thinking to only personal computers. Batch processing operating systems do not have much user interaction. They are maintained by programmers. They work like programs, solving tasks by means of automated algorithms.

Time sharing operating systems: Time-sharing operating systems usually involve multiple users utilizing the same OS. This cuts down on response times by carrying out tasks immediately. Think of it as sharing time with others and dividing up the work in the OS for others to view. You can work with your friends on the same task with time-sharing operating systems and keep track of progress. It’s like peer programming, and similar to collaborative working. The difference between time sharing OS and batch processing OS is that the processor is used more in batch processing. This is because you add piles of work, thus more processing power needed to get it done in a time-effective manner. Timesharing OS uses minimal processing power, thereby maximizing response time.

Think of it this way – the computer needs more time to respond to the user when you use its resources heavily since there’s a lag or overload. However, if the resources are used minimally, then the computer can respond to the user much quicker without being overloaded with tasks. This is the key difference between time sharing OS and batch processing OS.

Network operating systems: If you work in a startup or a company, chances are – you already know a bit about network operating systems. These allow you to share files over Wi-Fi and access work files over the network. Network operating systems run mostly with the help of a server, which allows admins to manage users, data, groups, security, apps, and much more. Examples of this include Microsoft Windows Server 2008, Mac OS X, Linux, and BSD. That’s where it starts to get complicated, but for most non-technical people, that’s all you need to know.

Modern day operating systems bring a host of benefits to everyday life. From the generation where computers didn’t exist and complex computations seemed far away in the future, modern operating systems became the leading technological innovation and closed the employment gap.

Nowadays, anyone with a modern OS can do meaningful work on the computer and it has become an extension of every individual. If you’ve always wondered about what a modern OS meant to the world and you in general, keep reading.

Here are the four amazing benefits of using a modern operating system.

Improved work productivity: With word processing applications, automated payroll calculations, and the advent of Microsoft Excel, modern operating systems play a huge role in the finance and business sectors. Business is booming in corporate sectors, and in general, users can multitask with modern OS. The future of cloud computing, file sharing, and virtualization have become a reality. This is thanks to the innovative thinkers behind this original creation. Improved work productivity also entails the use of spreadsheets, and sending emails quickly. No longer do users need to face the experience of server lag and can send emails instantly at the click of a button.

Enhanced creativity: You can change the way your desktop looks these days. You get tons of skins, customizable colors, and in general, a creative palette to stimulate your imagination. Modern day operating systems also make it easier for artists, singers, songwriters, engineers, and other professionals to make a living. Since PCs now come equipped with relevant open source software and development tools for programmers and artists alike.

You can build games in an OS, code like a pro, and even make cool design projects whenever you want. Additionally, you can change the theme of your desktop, orientation, customize the entire desktop view with apps. You can add cool features like RocketDock and time management systems.

Increased security: Modern day operating systems include features such as data encryption, data hardening, kernel patch protection, Windows Bitdefender, antivirus protection, and security management tools. This helps to ensure a safer user experience. You can shop online through HTTPS websites and SSL-encrypted portals to make sure your credit card info is safe. The increased security also helps in preventing file leaks to third parties. These days it is much more difficult for hackers to obtain info.

Quicker boot times: Probably the biggest advantage of a modern day OS is lesser boot times compared to previous versions of OS. This can speed up work productivity and the modern day OS even features faster response times making processing tasks much quicker. This helps reduce help desk costs accounting for 40% lesser downtime than older operating systems. This also equates to quicker response times which lessens system crashes and lets you save work a lot more easily.

Hacking usually involves system infiltration and stealing data by means of unauthorized access. Ethical hacking is a means to counter hackers, by filling any loopholes in the back doors of computer systems. Ethical hacking is a great way to counterattack illegal hackers.

Have you ever wanted to learn ethical hacking, and needed an OS to get started? You’ll be happy to know most hackers use open source operating systems for their programming experiments.

Open source operating systems are free, contain the developer and debugging tools, and in general are perfect for the budding multi-programmer and hacker.

Here are the top three operating systems ideal for ethical hacking aspirants.

Kali Linux: Kali Linux comes packed with 600 penetration testing programs and is based on the Linux distribution package known as Debian. The OS is specially designed for digital forensics and penetration testing. It can be installed on a hard drive, and live USB/CD. it can even operate as a virtual machine using virtualization software. Kali supports the use of various developmental bones like Raspberry Pi, BeagleBone, Odroid, CuBox and much more. Kali Linux offers tools for password attacks, exploitation, and vulnerability testing. It can help users access the target machine for running back door tests in the operating system.

BackBox: BackBox is aimed at ethical hackers and penetration testers wanting to test out security assessments. It is based on one of the Linux distribution packages and is open-source. You can use BackBox if you’re looking for a fast, efficient, and easily operable OS which comes with a minimalist user interface. The BackBox comes packed with 70 testing programs for web analysis. These include snuffing, stress testing, network analysis, vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, forensics, and exploitation. You can use BackBox if you need an OS which supports Cloud-based penetration testing. Or, it is ideal when you need regular automated configuration backups, and need an OS which supports old configuration systems.

Parrot Security Operating System: Parrot Security is based on the Debian GNU/Linux distribution package which is combined with Frozenbox OS and Kali Linux. This OS provides users with the real world of penetration testing and security assessments in real world environments. This makes it the perfect OS for the budding ethical hacker.

The Frozenbox OS integrated into the Parrot Security OS makes it useful for carrying out security assessments, anonymous web browsing, vulnerability assessment and mitigation processes. It makes use of the Kali Linux repositories and the MATE desktop environment. It does this by using the LightDM display manager, which uses an easy to use GUI and a decent lightweight environment in the OS. You can use this OS for running cyber forensics tests and for ethical hacking. The most notable feature about the Parrot Security OS is that it’s easily customizable and features a strong community support. This is different from other open source distribution packages.

Linus Torvalds, the creator of the Linux operating system, changed the world and the wheel of software engineering. He first released Linux in 1991, and now it has become one of the most used operating systems in the world. You may have used Windows or you may have been a die-hard Mac fan all your life, but maybe you wondered about what Linux operating systems offered which Windows and Mac don’t. If you’re curious and you’re still reading this, here are the top 4 benefits of the Linux operating system.

It’s open source: Put simply, Linux is open source. What this means to the general layman is that the code used for making the OS is publicly available for free on the internet. This means you can download the code, modify it, control it, and rewrite it to create your own version of OS. This makes it unique and fun for programmers and developers. Its level of intense customization at the core level is unlike Windows and Mac.

It has a secure operating platform: Ever wondered why no anti-virus programs come with Linux, unlike Windows and Mac? That’s because Linux is made to be secure and its entire architecture is based on that. If you ever wanted an OS that is light, flexible, reliable and is designed to be secure with its inbuilt features, Linux is it. That’s also another reason there are few breaches of security in the Linux OS compared to other operating systems.

It provides for easy installations: Linux is very adaptable. Whether it’s downloading a specific software or program from the Linux OS software center or installing the OS in general, Linux is easy to use for installation purposes. Its software center lets you browse through various programs which you can simply click and install. On top of that, you can customize the Linux desktop environments. You can put a spin to them by customizing the programs and apps, making them geared for specific uses like Ubuntu. Linux is also lightweight and efficiently uses hardware resources.

It offers different desktop environments: Every desktop environment in the Linux OS sports a different feel. Each environment comes with a varied set of features and serves a unique purpose for all users. Examples of multiple desktop environments in the Linux distribution packages include Ubuntu, KDE, Mate, Cinnamon, Budgie, and Enlightenment. Linux desktops pride themselves on being lightweight, running efficiently on hardware resources. They can even make new hardware perform better and faster, unlike other operating systems. Some desktops are massive in terms of their features, offering hyper productive environments for high-end developers, programmers, and users.