Internet operating system
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- For the Cisco Internetworking Operating System, see Cisco IOS.
An Internet operating system may be defined as software containing sets of procedures and functions that provide the framework for the implementation and operation of high-level Internet-based applications in a uniform manner. When a web platform includes functions pertinent to Internet media including wireless cards and other devices as well as web pages, then the more general term of an Internet operating system becomes appropriate.
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[edit] Why is an Internet platform an operating system?
To understand why the above defines an operating platform or system, we may consider the definition of computer operating systems and the history of their development.
"An operating system is a special computer program that manages the relationship between application software, the wide variety of hardware that makes up a computer system, and the user of the system." - Wikipedia.
"The software that the rest of the software depends on to make the computer functional. On most PCs this is Windows or the Macintosh OS. Unix and Linux are other operating systems often found in scientific and technical environments." - Kroll.
"The most important program that runs on a computer. Every general-purpose computer must have an operating system to run other programs. Operating systems perform basic tasks, such as recognizing input from the keyboard, sending output to the display screen, keeping track of files and directories on the disk, and controlling peripheral devices such as disk drives and printers." - Webopedia.
Computer operating systems (some early versions are referred to as disk operating systems or DOS) provide the software and environment for other computer programs to run on in a computer, network operating systems, provide the same on a network. Internet operating systems, IOS, does the same in on the Internet. Just as the requirements of a network operating system differs from that of a single computer operating system so does that of the IOS from both the computer and network operating systems.
[edit] Properties of an Internet operating system
Internet operating systems are very high-level. They must be implemented on top of some Internet system and access to commands and functions must be via the Internet. The system must support high-level languages and scripts including HTML, XML, WML, javascript, etc.
IOSs must be multi-user OS. The multi-use environment must be very flexible. Users registered on the operating system level may then have access to other installed applications in manner determined by each individual application. The operating system must be flexible enough such that each application may easily provide instructions on its user information requirements. User roles and privileges similar to that found on network systems must also be supported.
Flexible display systems. IOSs must have provision for customization of OS pages. This requirement is dictated by the Internet. While it is OK for word-processors on different computers to have almost a uniform look, web sites, in general demand that their theme and colors be maintained or controllable even across a multi-application implementation.
Access to Resources. IOSs must provide access to resources in a uniform manner so that applications from different sources will retain a uniform input/output procedure on a site or platform. The privileges and access will also be handled in a uniform manner in line with the user system
Security. The security requirements of an IOS exceeds that of the previous operating systems because of the greater amount of access. IOSs implemented based on a virtual layer of users based on a single Internet user have a first lower limit of user access as determined by the single Internet user.
An IOS may also include optional applications. Obviously, this is not a requirement (the debate on whether the browser is really part of the operating system or not for a full understanding of what application is part of an OS and what is not).
[edit] Why are Internet operating systems necessary?
Internet operating systems are necessary because they reduce the complexity and cost of ownership for web applications. Just as every computer user cannot create their own spreadsheet, every potential Internet site operator should not have to create their every application or be resigned to applications with functions and processes that do not work similarly or look in consonance.
[edit] List of Internet operating systems
A few Internet operating systems have been developed and some web tools that have almost defined an IOS. They include:
- NetVIOS - created circa 2000. This application also laid out early definitions for the web operating system and what it should contain.
- Virtual OS - Virtual OS Internet Operating System
- Rebol - an early IOS based on X-Internet.
- Sharepoint - provides user process and environment upon which high-level processes may be built.
- WebSphere - to an extent does contain high-level processes upon which a platform can be formed.
- Kanosis - known for its Coil / Sparc interface. Cutting edge security programming and competitor of Google and Yahoo OS betas.
There is also recent talk about a GoogleOS or a YahooOS. In addition, O'Reilly has convened several conversations regarding the IOS.
