A configurable operating system allows small, inexpensive, and less powerful computers to run a wide variety of applications. The operating system provides for the capability to accept input from a number of input devices, and transfer the data to the appropriate application without using an application to perform the routing tasks, thus freeing up more processor time and memory space for the applications. Data format translator applications may be called by the operating system in order to convert the data to the proper format. The decision as to which application should be called may be made by using information on the input device which the data came from, as well as additional information, to determine if a conversion application or other application is required. A method for using the operating system may include the steps of: receiving data from an input device; determining the type of the input device; choosing one or more applications to send the data through based on the type of the input device; and sending the data to the first of the applications, receiving data from the first of the applications, and repeating for the next of the applications until reaching the last of the applications.