Unit 2: Task 4: M1

Task 4 (M1)

Develop a table that can be included in your web pages that compares the features and functions of Windows XP and Mac OS in the following areas;

Functions

• machine and peripheral management
• security
• file management
• device drivers

Features

• ability to customize or
• support for connectivity of portable media or
• security or
• stability and reliability or
• ease of management or
• associated utilities

Function	Windows OS	Mac Os
Machine and peripheral management:	Windows XP controls the whole PC and the data that will be stored onto the system. Peripheral management is the controlling of the functions of hardware such as the mouse, keyboard and printers. They must be connected via the serial ports within the tower. Windows XP must manage the properties of the components i.e. the monitor and how it will then display data, it allows you to alter the resolution and speed of specific hardware. Both peripheral and management are similar for both Windows and Mac OS.	This is the controller of the computers components, any device that may be connected to the mac OS must be installed automatically and sync with the PC.  When new peripherals are added to a Mac the PC will install the device with the permission of the use, and then when it is installed it then allows you to make corrections and changes to the device system and its settings. Both peripheral and management are similar for both Windows and Mac OS. The file management on Mac allows a software download designed to manage, delete, store and recover data. It can also manage the data stored on disc drives, it can monitor the files on your device and commands the tools used by your PC.
Security:	The security that Windows XP currently uses is Microsoft Windows essential which is software to ensure certainty and safety on your PC. It helps secure your PC from intruders and hackers that may be attempting to access your system when online. It is capable of running in the background so it will not interfere with other work that may need to be done on the system at that current time.  It alerts you when necessary if any action needs to be taken because of threats or intruders. Default actions can take place if you are too busy to complete a scan so your device will be checked.  Windows essential is the main security tool that Windows uses, it can scan all the data on your device with either a quick scan which completes a scan of the aspects you use regularly and it can also perform a full system scan which will scan everything on the system to make sure that nothing harmful has accessed your PC. They have password protected data, firewall and antivirus software to ensure no data leakage.	The security for Mac has the same features as Windows XP however Macs have the latest security software and updates which are free to the user.  It notifies the user when updates are available by sending a notification and then it will download it automatically. Mac uses gatekeepers to ensure that the access used is safe Allows you to control your privacy settings, your data is also stored and encrypted so that it is safe and cannot be stolen. The security software is built in to the system and just needs to be run. It has a tool called filevault which encrypts data files keeping data safe and secure protecting your data from those who may hack your device in attempt to steal it.  It also provides a machine backup so no work will be lost on external drives. Security updates can be performed manually or be scheduled so that all software is up to date so threats against the PC can be prevented.  Apple (Mac) specifically ensures your privacy with entering personal details so that they cannot be stolen in any shape or form. It also provides Malware protection and antivirus scans to prevent Trojans and hackers.
File management:	Windows XP offers a file management which allows you to access any folders you may have on your computer. It can display the contents of the folder so that you are aware of what is within the folder.  Windows allows you to alter these folders however you may seem fit with different features such as renaming files, copying them and moving their location. It can also be sent to other users via email as an attachment.  Windows provides basic folders which have specialised tasks such as My Pictures and Videos which can help you organise your data in a way which is easy to manage. My computer on windows allows you to view the different disc drives you may have on your PC and the various data that you have stored on the hard drive.  Control panel allows you to alter any file management to your preferences and the management tasks will follow.  The recycle bin allows you to remove or restore deleted files to their original locations.  Path finder can also set you on the correct route to let you find your files.	The file management used on Mac OS is created via various tools ‘The finder and Spotlight’. These make the process of locating files quicker and easier by using smart folders and meticulous filing systems. In Finder there are smart folders we can keep track of specific files and data. These are capable of collecting Microsoft documents larger than 1GB and storing them.  Spotlight is capable of searching for specific files that may have been thrown in with many documents within a folder; the spotlight tool will locate the one that you require. However it can be unreliable when it comes to locating files as it takes time for it to locate that single document. It is useful to keep documents organised. Also available is a tool called Quicksilver which permanently stores links to files that allow snippets to what the file contains. Then by using Quicksilver it allows you to tab or pin that folder rather like a clipboard so that it can be seen and found easily.  Macs also have self-cleaning folders which automates cleaning of the files so they are safe and secure and more tasks can be completed.  Finder also allows you to access work that you may have created a week ago rather than all of your documents.
Device drivers:	Disc drives can house the storage internally or externally, they read and write data and have a great performance rating. The (H:) drive is used to save any data to the Share drive  this can be any files or documents within the system that have been created and saved. The (F:) drive is used to save or read any data from a CD Rom or DVD that has been inserted into the optical drive to be viewed on the system. The optical disc drive that accepts CD's and DVD's reads them by retrieving the data, some USB sticks when connected to the tower can appear as its own disc drive so that data can either be imported and exported from the portable USB stick.	Disc drives are the same for Macs as they are for Windows. They all store data both internally and externally reading the data on either a disc that has been inserted within the optical drive to read on the PC. Discs must be installed through the optical drive once it has been displayed as drive (F). The disc drives are the same for Windows XP and Mac OS however the display format of the different drives is shown differently. You access the disc drives through the computer short cut which is accessible on the start menu, USB’s will appear as their own drive onto the system which allow you to access them and drag data into them. Mac allows you to access someone elses disc drive through DVD and CD sharing, however as Mac OS has its own optical drive it is easier to use that or USB sticks.

Mac OS features:-

The dock is automatically installed and displayed when you first use your Mac, it displays shortcuts of items that are located amongst your system. It displays many different icons for the different programs which you have installed onto your device, sometimes it can display notifications on specific programs such as mail which essentially is notifying you of an email you have yet to read. Any file or document produced on your Mac may be added to the dock for easy access.  Any of the programs that have been opened can be accessed and minimized which essentially is reduce the page to complete different tasks but can be accessed automatically again through the dock. The dock is used to organise items and data however it does not store any of this, it only holds a short cut to the original item. Items can either be added to the dock or removed by dragging them away for deletion on toward for adding. The preferences for dock can be altered using the apple menu so you can make changes to your preferences.  The dock is unique to Mac computers.

The time machine  backs up live copies security. It makes a copy of everything every day and can be accessed. It is a built in back up feature, which automatically backs up your entire Mac it keeps an exact copy of the original file it remembers the systems appearance on the exact day it had been completed. It keeps an hourly backup for 24 hours and daily back ups for the past months until your back up drive is full. The time machine menu allows you to know when back ups are taking place, it allows other programs to work whilst the back ups are taking place in the background. 
Cover flow allows your media aka Music, Images and Videos to look more appealing so you are then capable of exploring the display with the artwork for albums for example. It is a visual list of the contents in your documents and library, it lets you view the actual contents of the file before clicking on it to view it. It is beneficial as you can quickly look through the lists; preferences can be made for specifics like text size, item size and many other things. It essentially allows you to view the panel without accessing it beforehand. It allows you to flip through music covers and preview various files and folders that may be on your device.
Dashboard essentially allows you to access frequently accessed data very quickly. It is a quick over view of what you happen to use on a daily basis, it also allows you access to numerous widgets such as calculator, weather etc. The widgets then allows quick and easy access to the original program. Anything can be added or removed on the dashboard. You are capable of customizing your widgets to how you would like them to be displayed and can easily exit the dashboard at any given time.
iCloud allows you to have the latest versions of specific software on your Mac device, it also allows you to share images and other documents quickly and easily. iCloud has various software available for example iCloud drive which essentially allows you to create various documents and presentations which are easily accessed on other devices that may be connected to your iCloud. iCloud has a specific software that can let you share photos by inviting certain friends to view them which they can then comment on. Everything is kept up to date on all devices where data has been shared. iCloud can ensure back ups, synchronize your mail and contacts on various devices which can sort out all of your data so none is lost and is stored in case of an emergency restore. 

Windows alternative -

Windows uses a task bar which is an alternative to dock to display various programmes which are short cuts.  It is an interface of the short cuts which allow easy access to the original item.  Each item allows for customization you are capable of altering its display and positioning, it also has the ability of minimization of the task bar which helps increase in productivity. Time machine is a tool that is completely unique to Mac PC's, there is not of yet an equivalent for Windows XP for the time machine however Windows 8 has a tool which is similar to the time machine however it does not have the same specific features. It has the daily-and hourly back up system, also it has the ability to rebuild the system in case of a meltdown.  Cover flow has an alternative for Window devices, only Windows Media player is similar as it displays the album covers but not for each individual file like Macs have. Many Window systems have a side bar which can be accessed which stores various widgets which are shortcuts to the actual program however you do not need to enter the original for the widgets to work.They can be accessed on the desktop without having to enter the program itself making actions such as the computer quicker and easier.