Ummm... actually, its Basic Input Output System. I wouldn't personally classify BIOS as an OS; while it does meet several of the requirements for an OS, it does not really allocate resorces or manage processes. It is essentially a sytstem for hardware configuration / software bootstrap.
By the strict definition, an OS is _only_ the intermediary between the applications, be they system or user, and the harware. The OS does not include user-level program such as bash, X, the window manager, emacs, Word, Explorer or the like.
Slashdot Mirror
Ummm... actually, its Basic Input Output System. I wouldn't personally classify BIOS as an OS; while it does meet several of the requirements for an OS, it does not really allocate resorces or manage processes. It is essentially a sytstem for hardware configuration / software bootstrap.
By the strict definition, an OS is _only_ the intermediary between the applications, be they system or user, and the harware. The OS does not include user-level program such as bash, X, the window manager, emacs, Word, Explorer or the like.
For what it's worth,
Matt
Hehe... I could start a business and be the first "Repo Man" of web sites...