Operating Systems and You: Becoming a Power User

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/os-power-user

Introduction

### Course Review: Operating Systems and You: Becoming a Power User on Coursera In today’s technology-driven world, a robust understanding of operating systems (OS) is fundamental for anyone looking to develop an IT career, particularly in support roles. Coursera’s “Operating Systems and You: Becoming a Power User” course, part of the IT Support Professional Certificate, stands out as an essential offering for individuals wanting to deepen their knowledge about both Windows and Linux operating systems. #### Course Overview The course employs a blend of engaging video lectures, practical demonstrations, and hands-on exercises, ensuring that learners not only grasp the theoretical aspects of operating systems but also apply what they learn in real-world scenarios. Covering critical components like software management, user permissions, and system maintenance, the course is tailored for those who aspire to enhance their technical skills and become proficient power users. By the course's conclusion, participants will confidently navigate both Windows and Linux filesystems, set up user accounts with appropriate permissions, and effectively manage software installations. #### Key Learning Modules 1. **Navigating the System**: This foundational module introduces learners to the basic functionalities of Windows and Linux operating systems. It provides insight into how files and directories are structured and allows participants to practice file manipulation through different interfaces (GUI and CLI). It’s a crucial first step for anyone intending to become adept at operating systems. 2. **Users and Permissions**: Here, learners delve into configuring user environments. Understanding permissions is vital in IT support, and this module teaches how to grant access and manage user groups effectively, equipping participants with the skills necessary to protect system integrity. 3. **Package and Software Management**: Packaging and software management are integral to maintaining a healthy operating system. This module addresses installation, updating, and removing software, along with managing devices and drivers across both operating systems. 4. **Filesystems**: An understanding of filesystems is pivotal for troubleshooting and optimizing performance. This section unpackages the types of filesystems, disk partitioning, and virtual memory, ensuring participants can carry out essential tasks like disk formatting and repair. 5. **Process Management**: Managing system processes is a must-have skill for any IT Support Specialist. This part of the course covers practical ways to start, monitor, and end processes, along with troubleshooting techniques that can resolve system deadlocks or hung applications. 6. **Operating Systems in Practice**: The final module is a culmination of all learned skills and focuses on real-world applications. Techniques for remote access, virtualization tools, and system monitoring through logs are explored, preparing learners for real-life scenarios in IT support. #### User Experience and Practicality From a user experience standpoint, the course is well-structured, with each module building upon the last. The instructional videos are clear and comprehensive, while the hands-on assignments provide practical application of the lessons learned. The course's design encourages active participation, which aids in retention and understanding. #### Who Should Take This Course? Whether you’re a beginner looking to start an IT career, an aspiring IT support specialist, or someone seeking to enhance their computer skills, this course is invaluable. It equips learners with a comprehensive understanding of operating systems, making it an ideal foundational piece for anyone serious about navigating the field of information technology. #### Final Recommendation In conclusion, “Operating Systems and You: Becoming a Power User” on Coursera is a highly recommended course for anyone eager to excel in IT support or simply wish to become more proficient with operating systems. It covers a wide breadth of topics systematically and practically, empowering learners with the confidence and skills needed to troubleshoot and manage both Windows and Linux environments effectively. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to elevate your technical expertise – enroll today and start your journey towards becoming a power user!

Syllabus

Navigating the System

Welcome to the Operating Systems course of the IT Support Professional Certificate! In the first module of this course, we will cover the basics of Windows and Linux operating systems (OS). We will learn about how directories and files work in Windows and Linux OS. You will also learn practical ways to manipulate files and directories in the Windows graphical user interface (GUI), Windows command line interface (CLI), and Linux shell. By the end of this module, you will interact with files and directories and perform basic text manipulation in Windows and Linux OS.

In the second module of this course, we'll learn about configuring users and permissions in Windows and Linux OS. As an IT Support Specialist, it's important to know how to grant the appropriate permissions to users and groups for both Windows and Linux OS. By the end of this module, you will know how to add, modify, and remove users for a computer and for specific files and folders by using the Windows GUI, Windows CLI, and Linux shell.

In the third module of this course, we'll learn about package and software management in Windows and Linux OS. It's important to know how package installs work and how devices and drivers are managed within these operating systems. We will also learn about different packaging and file compression methods. By the end of this module, you will know how to create, update, and remove software by using the Windows GUI, Windows CLI and Linux shell.

In the fourth module of this course, we'll learn about how filesystems work for Windows and Linux OS. We'll learn about filesystem types and why they're different for certain OS. We'll learn about disk partitioning and virtual memory and why these are so important for an IT Support Specialist's role. We'll also cover ways mount and unmount filesystems, read disk usage, and repair filesystems. By the end of this module, you will partition and format a disk drive yourself in both Windows and Linux.

In the fifth module of this course, we'll explore process management. As an IT Support Specialist, it is important to use system tools to read and understand process statuses of machines. We will cover ways to start and terminate a process in Windows and Linux. We will also apply troubleshooting tools to solve problems with processes and resources. By the end of this module, you will use Windows and Linux commands to do practical process maintenance.

Congratulations, you've made it to the final module in the course! In the last module of this course, we will cover some of the practical aspects of operating systems that you'll use all the time in IT Support. We will cover remote access and how to troubleshoot a computer from afar. We'll explore virtualization tools to manage and remove virtual instances, use logs for system monitoring, and show you a few different techniques for OS deployment. By the end of this module, you will apply all the skills from this course to debug some issues within Windows and Linux OS. Good luck!