Types of Operating Systems

As computers have progressed and developed, so have the types of operating systems. Below is a
basic list of the different types of operating systems and a few examples of operating systems that
fall into each of the categories. Many computer operating systems will fall into more than one of
the below categories.

(a) GUI - Graphical User Interface

A GUI Operating System contains graphics and icons and is commonly navigated by using a
computer mouse. Below are some examples of GUI Operating Systems.

 System 7.x
 Windows 98
 Windows CE
(b) Multi-user

A multi-user operating system allows for multiple users to use the same computer at the same time
and/or different times. See our multi-user dictionary definition for a complete definition for a
complete definition. Below are some examples of multi-user operating systems.

 Linux
 Unix
 Windows 2000

(c) Multiprocessing

An operating system capable of supporting and utilizing more than one computer processor. Below
are some examples of multiprocessing operating systems.

 Linux
 Unix
 Windows 2000

(d) Multitasking

An operating system that is capable of allowing multiple software processes to run at the same
time. Below are some examples of multitasking operating systems.

 Unix
 Windows 2000

(e) Multithreading

Operating systems that allow different parts of software program to run concurrently.
1.3 Intellectual Property

Intellectual property rights are temporary monopolies enforced by the state regarding use of
expressions and ideas.

Intellectual property rights are usually limited to non-rival goods, that is, goods which can be used
or enjoyed by many people simultaneously—the use by one person does not exclude use by
another. This is compared to rival goods, such as clothing, which may only be used by one person
at a time. For example, any number of people may make use of a mathematical formula
simultaneously.

Some objections to the term intellectual property are based on the argument that property can only
properly be applied to rival goods (or that one cannot "own" property of this sort).

Since a non-rival good may be used (copied, for example) by many simultaneously (produced with
minimal marginal cost), producers would need incentives other than money to create such works.
Monopolies, by contrast, also have inefficiencies (producers will charge more and produce less
than would be socially desirable).

The establishment of intellectual property rights, therefore, represents a trade-off, to balance the
interest of society in the creation of non-rival goods (by encouraging their production) with the
problems of monopoly power.

Since the trade-off and the relevant benefits and costs to society will depend on many factors that
may be specific to each product and society, the optimum period of time during which the
temporary monopoly rights should exist is unclear.

Figure 1.2 Monopoly

 price

MC

Pm em
Pc A B ec
C

AR  P

Ym Yc Output

MR

Incentives for innovation can be viewed in two schools of thought;

(i) Incentive school – Focuses on whether an innovator can capture a large portion of benefits of
his/her creation. The innovation is largely perspiration and less inspiration.
(ii) Openness school – is where there are incentives for innovation, often stronger than intellectual
property like social recognition and career development.

Forms of property rights

(i) Patent – a reward for successful innovation by the state which confers exclusive rights leading to
monopoly. Patent holders can issue licenses permitting others to use their innovation, and may end
up earning more profits than withholding it. From welfare angle, licensing allows diffusion of the
new technologies. Strong patent protection promotes innovation at the expense of diffusion, while
licensing can simultaneously promote both innovation and diffusion.
(ii) Trade secrets – are information that individuals or companies possess but do not share. Trade secrets
lose protection once they are out in public domain. Trade secret is a weaker protection since the
owner cannot prevent others from using it if they discover it independently. However patents can
last only for 20 years, trade secret can last indefinitely.
(iii) Copyright - (read about it and other forms)

Intellectual property rights will continue to play an important role in the 21st century and IT will
continue to comprise a greater proportion of economic activity. However, such property laws are
under pressure to evolve as IT advances.