There is a multitude of different operating systems available for computers. While the best known are Apple OS and the Windows operating system, they are not necessarily the best but just distributed the best. Below are some of the favorites:
Microsoft Windows operating system is designed and developed by Microsoft Corporation. It is by far the best distributed operating system in the world. It holds a 90 percent market share of the personal computer market. The Windows operating systems is continually updated with the most recent version being Windows 7. All modern versions of this software are based on the Windows NT kernel which is run on IA-32 and x86-64 processors.
A direct competitor to the Windows operating system is Linux which is a Unix like open source operating system meaning it can be manipulated and added to by any developer who devotes the time and energy to enhance it. All Linux based operating systems have one standard kernel core. Linux itself began as a project by Finnish university student Linus Torvalds. In 1991 he began work on what would become the basis of Linux. He continually posted information about it and encouraged others to add and help with the project creating a Linux community which garnered praise and support. This community continued to work on the project until they developed a full kernel. Today, Linux-based programs run under monikers like Debian, Ubuntu and Fedora.
The final component of the big three operating systems is Apple’s OSX which is the descendant of their OS system. It has been Apple’s primary operating system since 1984 and has developed a cult following as has Apple itself. A lot of this cult status is due to the company’s CEO Steve Jobs. Mac OS X is actually a UNIX operating system which was built on technology that was developed by Job’s company next that was bought out by Apple in 1997 when Jobs returned to the company.