Before upgrading an operating system, it is important to know what software will be affe...

Before upgrading an operating system, it is important to know what software will be affected. In this project, you learn one place in which to look for the software installed on different operating systems. To determine the software installed in Windows XP, Vista, or 7 systems (Windows 7 is included because you might upgrade to a higher Windows 7 edition):

1. Begin by observing the application icons that are on the desktop. What software application icons or shortcuts do you see?

2. Click Start on the taskbar, and point to All Programs. What programs are listed?

3. In Windows XP click My Computer or in Windows Vista or 7, click Computer.

4. Locate the main drive on the computer. Double-click that drive, such as Local Disk (C:) or OS (C:).

5. Double-click the Program Files folder. (On 64-bit computers you’ll also see the Program Files (x86) folder and should be sure to check the contents of this folder, too). What subfolders or programs do you see (such as Microsoft Office)?

6. Close the Program Files or Program Files (x86) window.

7. In Windows XP, click Start, click Control Panel, if necessary click to Switch to Classic View, and double-click Add or Remove Programs. In Windows Vista or 7 click Start, click Control Panel, if necessary click Control Panel Home (for the Category view) in Windows Vista or select Category in the View by option in Windows 7, and click Uninstall a program (listed under Programs). What programs are listed as already installed? (See Figure 5-12.)

8. Close the or Add or Remove Programs window in Windows XP or close the Programs and Features window in Windows Vista/7. Also, close Control Panel if it still appears. To determine the software installed in Mac OS X Leopard or Snow Leopard:

1. Double-click the Macintosh HD icon on the desktop.

2. Double-click the Applications folder and determine what applications are available in the Applications window (see Figure 5-13).

3. Close the Applications window by clicking the x in the red circle in the upper left corner.

To determine the software installed in Linux when the GNOME desktop is used:

1. Click Applications in the top Panel.

2. Point to Accessories. What applications do you see?

3. Point to Games and notice the game applications.

4. Point to Graphics and then to Internet to inventory the applications.

5. Point to Office. What applications do you see?

6. Point to Sound & Video to notice these applications.

7. Point to System Tools. Write down a couple of the tools displayed.

To see a list of all of the software packages installed in Linux via the command line:

1. Open the terminal window, such as by clicking Applications, pointing to System Tools, and clicking Terminal.

2. At the command line type rpm -qa. Press Enter. What are some examples listed of software? (See Figure 5-14; the list will be quite long.) Notice that this is a more complete list of applications than you were able to obtain by simply using the Applications menu in the GNOME desktop.

3. Close the terminal window.