Internet Terms-D

daemon a Unix program that is continuously running in the background performing specified functions in response to particular prompts.

daisy-chain the sequential connection of hardware devices with cables.

dash a punctuation mark similar to a hyphen but longer.

Dash ( — ) Hyphen ( - ) data information. Though the word data represents the plural, in common usage it may indicate either the singular or plural.

database a computerized filing system. Organized information stored so that a computer may have fast access to specific sections. For example, a large database might contain all corporations registered in the state of California. Another database might contain information on the buying habits of married couples between the ages of 25 and 35.

database management sometimes called database warehousing, a system for the smooth and efficient entering, storage, and retrieving of data so access to the information is gained by one of several methods. For example, a credit card company is able to access your account by entering your last name, your social security number, your birth date, maiden name, or actual account number.Database management is an industry unto itself under the even larger umbrella of information technology. There are a number of elaborate software systems available for the management of databases of all sizes.

data communication the delivery of information from one computer to another.For this transfer to take place, the components of the communication must conform to certain conditions. For example, the data you receive via the Internet must be converted to a usable form by your Web browser, usually HTML.

data compression the storage of data so that it requires less space than it might otherwise. There are many methods of data compression. For example, rather than write a string of 60 of the same characters, a programmer would write, "the following character is repeated 60 times." Data compression is especially useful when transmitting graphics via a modem because it allows the image to load more quickly.

data entry the process of either an individual or a machine entering information into a computer or database.

data mining data mining uses complex algorithms to search large amounts of data and find patterns, correlations, and trends in that data. A data-mining application can create a model that can identify buying habits, shopping trends, credit card purchases as well as perform many non-commercial functions.

data processing usually a reference to software that enters, sorts, categorizes and stores information for easy recall.

dead link a Web page that no longer exists, prompting an error message. A dead link may be the result of a Website that has ended operations or moved.

deadlock an occurrence where two computer processes are waiting for the other to finish, keeping each from proceeding.

debug to locate and remove errors from a computer program.

decode to transfer encoded or encrypted data to its original readable form.

decryption see decode.

dedicated designated for only one use. For example, a telephone line in an office may be dedicated only for use by a fax machine or a single network computer.

dedicated host a Web server that stores and delivers the documents that make up a single Website. A dedicated host is the opposite of a virtual host, which refers to a server that stores and delivers the Web pages of many sites. Dedicated hosting helps to ensure that a Website will always be available to users because its server has the sole purpose of maintaining and delivering one and not many sites.

default a setting automatically assumed by computer hardware or a software application with regard to various operating functions. For example, when starting, a word processing program defaults to certain margins, spacing, and fonts set by the program's developer. Many default settings in both hardware and software can be changed to suit the user's specifications.

default drive the drive the computer automatically uses unless another is selected.

default browser the Web browser that will automatically retrieve Web pages when you log onto the World Wide Web. For example, a computer may have both Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer installed, but always opens Navigator because it is set as the default browser.

degauss to demagnetize.

Deja News a search engine used primarily to search the Newsgroups. see search engine.

Del the Delete key on a computer keyboard. The Del key eliminates items selected on the display monitor.

Dell Computer Corporation a popular computer hardware company offering a full range of computer systems, including desktop computer systems, notebook computers, workstations and network server and storage products, as well as an extended selection of peripheral hardware and computing software. Dell's business is based on direct sales of custom-built products, thereby eliminating the need for an extensive network of wholesale and retail dealers, and avoiding typical dealer mark-ups and other related costs.

delete to remove unwanted programs, files, text, or graphics from a computer.

denizen slang term for an inexperienced, unsophisticated individual who serfs the Web.

desktop everything appearing on your computer screen at any given time. The desktop in a Windows system with no programs running, usually displays icons that represent shortcuts to opening specific programs. see icon, shortcut.

desktop publishing the use of a personal computer to design and produce professional quality printed documents. There are hundreds of software programs available allowing users to typeset and place illustrations and photographs in a wide variety of printed materials from brochures and manuals, to books and posters. Among those highly rated by both home users and individuals in the publishing industry, are Adobe PhotoShop and Adobe PageMaker.

 dialog box a window appearing on the screen offering the user information or options as to the next step in the present application. For example, when setting up the layout for a document in a word processing program, a dialog box is available offering the user options on the size and style of the font, margins, and possibly the color of the text.

dial-up connection one computer connected to another utilizing a telephone connection and a modem.

digital information encoded and expressed with the use of binary numbers representing many values in the real world. Digital information is distinguished by the fact that only pre-determined values may be represented using zeros and ones. For example, a digital thermometer would display the temperature using pre-assigned values. On a digital thermometer, the temperature might read 76.2. The next higher reading available might be 76.3. The true temperature, however, could range anywhere between 76.2 and 76.3, such as 76.21, .22, .23 etc. The possible values existing between 76.2 and 76.3 are infinite, but the thermometer, limited by design, can only display pre-set values. Consequently, pinpointing exact values represented by digital data is virtually impossible.Though limited in this way, digital information has many advantages because extremely close approximations are easily achievable. Digital data is also easy to store and manipulate. Opposite of analog.

digital audio sound recorded and transmitted in a binary format.

digital camera a camera that encodes images without the use of film and records them directly to a disk or a computer.

digital cash a system for the payment of goods or services online or otherwise by transmitting encrypted data from one computer to another usually through arrangements with a bank.

Digital computer representations can be broken down to simple binary expressions.All modern computers are digital as opposed to analog computers which would express values as individual points on a continuum. A slide-rule would be an analog computer.

digital-to-analog converter a device that converts digital data into analog signals.

digiterati variation of literati, refers to an elite class of individuals who consider themselves to be among the ultra-informed with regard to the digital revolution.

digitization having been digitized. see digitize.

digitize to convert information into digital form. For example, optical scanners achieve digitization by converting images into bitmaps.

dingbats specialized characters that are neither letters or numbers.

dir (directory) in the operating systems DOS and OS/2, the command that calls up all the files in a particular directory.

directory also called folder, an inventory of all the files contained in a specific section of a computer disk. A disk may contain more than one directory and directories may contain other directories. see folder.

discussion group a group of people exchanging ideas and thoughts online encompassing a wide variety of topics of interest either in a chat room, interactive live chat, message board, or some other public discussion forum.

disk a round flat platter used for the storage of computer data. The hard disk (the primary storage device) is usually, though not always, a permanent (internal) part of a computer. Optical disks, such as CD-ROMs, and diskettes are portable disk storage devices.


diskette sometimes referred to as a floppy disk. A round, flat, portable device used to store computer data.

DNS (Domain Name Server or System) a computer set to translate IP addresses into domain names. Web addresses are read by the DNS numerically. For example, http://www.GrandCentralDiscounts.com might have the IP address, 164.205.775.07 but that would be hard for a user to remember, so GrandCentralDiscounts.com, an alphabetic name, is used. The DNS translates the name into its numeric equivalent.

dock to attach or connect, usually one hardware device to another.

docking station a fixed location that makes accessories available to a laptop computer.These might include a permanent power supply, a printer, or a scanner.

document a file usually created using a word processing application, which contains one or more of the following: text, graphics, tables, or charts.

domain address a Website's alphabetic address in readable form as opposed to the IP address which is in numerical form. see DNS, IP.

domain name hoarding the registration of many domain names usually in an attempt to keep competitors from using them.

domain name poaching the registration of a popular, clever, or a even a trade name with the intent to sell it in the future. For example, one might register the domain www.pepsi.com in anticipation of selling that domain name to Pepsi.Some feel the days of actually being able to register a good .com domain have gone by the wayside with the ever-increasing popularity of the World Wide Web.

DOS (Disk Operating System) refers to any operating system, but has been mainly identified with Microsoft or MS-DOS. MS-DOS was first developed by Microsoft Corporation as the operating system for IBM personal computers.

dot the period character ( . ).

dot com the American designation for a commercial or personal Website, such as http://www.kokobono.com.

dot matrix printer a printer that creates forms and characters by means of pins striking an inked ribbon.

double click to press a mouse button (usually the left) two times in quick succession to start a program or initiate a command.

down unavailable for use. A term with a broad-based meaning, referring to a computer, a network, an ISP, a Website, or almost anything related to computers and their many uses.

download to copy or transfer data from one computer to another. Technically speaking, every time you view a Web page you are first downloading material from thatWebsite's server. Among the many advantages of being online are the wide variety of free software available for users to download.

dpi (dots per inch) the number of dots or pixels located within a linear inch. The higher the dpi, the better the clarity or resolution.

drag to re-locate an object on a desktop by placing the mouse cursor (pointer or arrow) on top of the image, pressing the left button, and holding the button down while moving the image to another location on the desktop.

drag and drop a classic feature of the graphical user interface, the ability to click on a file, text, or a graphical image and deposit it to another location. The drag and drop features in both Windows and the Macintosh make many computer functions more manageable. see graphical user interface.

DRAM (Dynamic Random-Access Memory) pronounced D-Ram, the most common type of memory operation in modern personal computers. DRAM must be continuously refreshed (thousands of times per second) during a computer session (this occurs automatically) or it is cleared. see RAM, SRAM, ROM.

drive bay a port or access space on a computer that can accommodate a disk drive.

driver (device driver) a program that works in conjunction with a computer's operating system to control any number of devices such as a printer, monitor, scanner, mouse or keyboard.

drop-down menu a list of selections or options that appears when a user clicks on an item such as File or Help.

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) the use of existing copper telephone lines for high speed data transmission such as Internet connections. Like a leased line, a DSL must be configured to connect at two specific locations. see SDSL.

DSL DSS (Digital Satellite System or Digital Signature Standard) 1. Digital Satellite System, a network of satellites that broadcasts and relays digital signals such as satellite TV signals. 2. Digital System Standard, a federal government standard used to identify and verify the sender of electronic data.

dumb terminal a computer display monitor without any microprocessing capabilities, usually only able to display numerals and text.

dump the transfer of raw data, usually from a computer's main memory, for display on a printer or a monitor.

DVD (Digital Video Disc) a high-density CD with more than seven times the capacity of a regular CD (enough capacity for a full length movie). Most DVD drives are also able to read CD ROMs.

dweeb an unsophisticated, obnoxious, person, (with very few exceptions, male) often a newbie, who, through ignorant posting, annoys, irritates and otherwise frustrates the regulars in a chat room or other online communication forum.Dweebs are often interested in meeting members of the opposite sex and pursuing women by exaggerating and boasting about themselves along with other annoying and inappropriate behavior.

dynamic HTML also called dynamic content, information on a Website or Web page that is constantly being updated, usually daily, but sometimes as often as a user refreshes the page. Some dynamic content is instantaneously created according to a keyword used in a search.

dynamic RAM see DRAM, RAM, SDRAM, SRAM.