Differences between graphical (GUI) or text (terminal) operating systems.
Operating system in Text mode:
Many people don't remember, but until 1990 all operating systems were mostly text-based (except Apple LISA and Windows 3.1/3.11). Yes, for that the computer user had to master its complex commands, to be able to do something useful. At that time there were no mice, and powerful video cards.
The name terminal, comes from the old equipment that programmed the old computers of 1970 (yes, they didn't have a keyboard/video monitor yet). The terminal was an expensive piece of equipment, which added the keyboard and a video monitor (like a typewriter). Thus the text operating system was known as terminal mode.
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| First LINUX without GUI Via Terminal |
In this mode, there was only a blinking cursor (command prompt), and the user had to type commands for the computer to do something useful (open a program, copy a file, etc.). Imagine how difficult it was for a user to master all these commands to use a computer?
This was how MS-DOS, PC-DOS and almost all DOS-based systems were. UNIX systems, LINUX from 1990, and almost all alternative systems of the time also had this text mode.
What many people should understand is that the graphical operating system is actually a textual operating system, which carries a graphical interface (GUI) to help the user operate the system more easily!
Many server, mainframe and machine operating systems that do not require constant user intervention (standalone mode) run only a textual operating system! YES, because this system consumes much less machine resources, and uses less processor and RAM. When it requires some maintenance, the user will have to manipulate the system using the good old terminal, and there are even those that can call a temporary graphical tool, just to make it easier to use and then return to textual mode.
Graphic operating system
Adopted in practically all modern operating systems used by home users, the GUI (Graphical User Interface) was invented by researchers at XEROX, based on old studies*, and it is not a surprise that their desire to be implemented in operating systems was to make the computer easier to use and thus be very popular. But the concept really became reality, when the Apple LISA brought this dream to the world of PC (personal computers).
*The mouse was invented by Douglas Engelbart in the 60´s.
All old operating systems (MS-DOS, LINUX, etc.) received their graphical interface (GUI). Thus the operating system can be used easily with the mouse, and a "little arrow" can perform several tasks easily (open programs, copy files, etc.) without the user having to memorize complicated operating system commands.
In other words, with the graphical interface anyone can use a computer easily! That's why the dream of a personal computer has become a reality.
However, the GUI requires much more powerful hardware to run, unlike the text mode system, which is much lighter! We must have a good processor and a good amount of available RAM, and a graphics card with a powerful GPU is also recommended.
For this reason, until the mid-1990s, there were few machines that had enough hardware to run the graphics systems (Windows 3.11) only on the famous 486!
Graphical operating systems are not preferred for standalone machines, such as servers, mainframes, and other equipment, so as not to consume excessive resources or processing, since these machines do not require constant user intervention.
Windows: It emerged as a GUI for the MS-DOS system (supposedly after the Apple LISA project was developed) and until mid-2000 (Windows 3.11/95/98/ME) the name was from the graphical interface. Nowadays the name refers to the Microsoft operating system itself. In the most modern versions (XP/Vista/7/8/10), Windows no longer depends on MS-DOS for anything.
KDE, GNOME, MATE, XFCE, LXDE, BlackBox, Unity: These are some of the most famous graphical interfaces used in GNU/LINUX, as it has a huge customization, each interface adds improvements, performance or a different look.
However, before running these interfaces, a graphical server must be running first. The most famous one used in LINUX/MAC OS is the X server (also known as X11 or X-Window).
Why use MS-DOS Commands Today?
Although the mouse currently solves everything, more advanced users like us (technicians / programmers / developers) don't can be limited to using it! It will be necessary in some operations to resort to the good old terminal!
Yes! Some situations will require it! In LINUX we use the terminal a little more often, in Windows in some cases we will also have to deal with the famous MS-DOS Prompt!
In older versions (Win95/98/ME) MS-DOS was run underneath the system, that is, as an integral part. To call him, just look for him as shown in the photo below:
In the most recent versions of Windows (XP/Vista/7/8/10/11), MS-DOS is no longer used, not even as a system startup, and since it is a technical function, its shortcut is not very obvious to the end user. The best solution is to look for the famous "cmd" in the RUN menu (English).
This will open the MS-DOS terminal emulator in a window.See his face:
Besides MS-DOS is now Free, we have other modern D.O.S Systems that can be installed and run great many games and programs like retro games.
FreeDOS
It can be downloaded for free, that's right, just go to the project page and install it on a machine (even modern ones). But know that you will need to do partitioning, and have another graphic system (Windows or Linux), because the DOS system, like the old one, is currently no longer useful for anything, except as a study object or to run old programs and games!
For users of the GNU/LINUX system such as us at ESIJMJG, there are also excellent alternatives to accurately "emulate" the good old DOS system!
1) DOSBOX- Emulator available to be installed via Package (.deb or .rpm) in the application manager directly in the Distro! Complete, can run old games and programs, and even emulates the famous Adlib or Creative Sound Blaster sound cards!
Also runs on Windows systems and several other systems!
This way we can run the old DOS Systems in our Modern Operating System, without install a real D.O.S System!
We can do it, in order to Run the classics Games like this in the picture bellow.
Old Games Like Doom, Test Drive, Stunts and Street Road 1 or 2!
Old Games Like Street Road, Prince of Persia, Pinball Fantasies, Pinball Dreams, Pinball Illusion, Pinball Word and much more!
Yeah, many Classic and Vintage Games Here, and you can run all them using D.O.S emulators in your Windows or Linux Systems!
See you next article!
JMJG
Electronic Eng
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