and effectively use one or more software packages or programs.  It  may  be  your  job  to  develop  specialized programs or routines for your installation or for users in their  own  work  spaces.  In  the  following  sections,  we will discuss installation and use of a few of the general types   of   software   we   commonly   associate   with microcomputers. Operating System The operating system will be the first program you will  need  to  know  about  because  you  must  install  it before other programs. It manages the operation of the system. If the system has a hard (fixed) disk, you will install the operating system onto it. The first step will be to partition the hard disk; that is, identify the hard disk to the  operating  system  and  create  a  partition  for  the operating system. Partitioning is the process of dividing the hard disk into smaller drives, which will allow you to  use  different  operating  systems,  such  as  DOS  or UNIX. Next, you will format the hard disk, prepare it so it can be used. The operating system will ask a question similar to, “Are you sure you want to format the hard drive?” before it proceeds with the format. Then, copy the operating system files from the distribution disks onto   the   disk.   You   must   follow   the   steps   in   the owner/user  manual.  It  may  tell  you  to  use  a  setup command that will lead you through the process from the display screen. Once it is installed, everytime you turn  on  the  system,  the  operating  system  will  load  from this  partition. If the system has only floppy disk drives, you will make   copies   of   the   distribution   disks   onto   new diskettes.  If  the  new  diskettes  are  not  formatted,  you can  use  a  command  (such  as  DISKCOPY)  that  will format and copy. Again, follow the instructions from the startup or getting started section of the owner/user manual. If there is a setup command, use it to lead you through the process. Be sure to prepare external labels with the name of the operating system. Write the serial number if there is one, and write WORKING COPY. Be 3-4 sure you use a felt tip pen if you are writing on a label already attached to the diskette. Once  you  have  the  operating  system  copied  and installed,  put  the  original  distribution  disks  in  a  safe place. Now, you are ready to use the computer; or are you? Chances are you will need more than the operating system.  The  operating  system  is  great.  It  has  many useful  commands  like  COPY,  DELETE,  FORMAT, BACKUP, and soon. It will even have an editor, usually a line editor, that allows you to create files and edit them line byline. However, its primary jobs are to manage the system and its resources (disks, printers, and soon), and to help you communicate with the computer to use other programs (applications software). User/Applications  Software When   you   install   a   user/application   software package on a system, you need to provide the software with   information   about   your   microcomputer configuration. Because  there  are  so  many  different software packages and programs available and each one has different requirements, we will not go into a lot of detail.  Remember,  refer  to  the  documentation,  it  should provide what you need to know. Many of the manuals lead you through step-by-step. The following example should give you a good idea of what is involved. We have   selected   a   wordprocessing   program   for   our example   because   most   installations   will   have   a wordprocessing package. BACK   UP   DISTRIBUTION   (ORIGINAL/ MASTER)  DISKETTES.—  The first thing you should do is copy the files from the distribution diskettes. Each software  package  may  have  several  diskettes.  If  you have a hard drive system, you may copy the files from the  distribution  diskettes  to  the  hard  drive  using  the copy  command  in  the  operating  system.  First,  setup  the name of the directory in which you want to store the files. Then, copy them to the hard disk. If your system has no hard drive, copy the files to other diskettes. Most operating  systems  have  a  copy  command  that  allows you   to   copy   all   files   on   a   diskette   with   a   single command. This is called a wild card copy. The copies will  become  your  working  copies.  Prepare  external labels  for  the  working  copies.  Store  the  distribution diskettes in a safe place away from the microcomputer in case you need them in the future. SET UP/INSTALL THE SOFTWARE.—  Place the user manual with installation instructions next to the microcomputer  and  follow  the  step-by-step  procedures.