Computers as a Second LanguageComputers as a Second LanguageComputer Fundamentals
WHAT IS MEANT BY THE TERM
"MULTITASKING"? Computers are essentially designed to do repetitive tasks quickly.
Unlike humans, most computers cannot do several things at the same time. A
human can be writing a letter, singing along with a song that's playing on the
radio and smelling the aroma of brownies baking in the oven all at the same
time. This would be equivalent to a computer printing out a letter on a printer
while the computer is playing a song and receiving stock market information
over the telephone line via a hookup called a MODEM - multitasking
all at the same time!In 1985, Commodore
introduced the AMIGA computer, the first home
computer that could multitask (do numerous tasks simultaneously). It could do
exactly what was described above. This is one of the best kept secrets in the
entire computer industry largely because of Commodore's inadequate marketing
ability. For 14 years Commodore AMIGA users have
nonchalantly used and taken for granted all the benefits of multitasking. The
rest of the computer industry finally caught up to the
AMIGA. Windows 95/98 and Windows 2000 support
multitasking. Apple Macintosh's new Operating System called System
10 (formerly Copeland) allows multitasking.
UNIX is yet another true multitasking and multi-user Operating
System for higher end corporate applications. |
