Technology / Computers Glossary

Direct Digital Signal (DDS): Stands for Direct Digital Signal. It refers to a network that uses digital infrastructure equipment exclusively. This eliminates the need for analog-to-digital converters on a network becaus . . . View Full Definition

Direct Memroy Access (DMA): This is a method of bypassing the central processing unit (CPU) and handling data transfers between the memory and peripheral devices. Systems having DMA channels can transfer data much more . . . View Full Definition

Direct X: Developed by Microsoft for its Windows operating systems. This technology was designed to provide a much broader gaming or multimedia environment. In the later versions of DirectX, more atte . . . View Full Definition

Directory: In computing, this refers to the separate entities of a file system. A directory can contain thousands of files and folders used as a means of adding or updating data and is usually an organ . . . View Full Definition

Disc Operating System (DOS): This is a command line operating system that was created by Bill Gates while he was working for IBM. The Windows operating systems are designed to run on top of the DOS system. It is more co . . . View Full Definition

Disk: Typically refers to a magnetic or optical storage medium on which information can be accessed, for example, the Hard Disk, Floppy Disk, CD, or DVD.

Disk Cache: A portion of memory on the motherboard or another card or controller that is used to store information that is frequently accessed in order to speed up disk access. The large the cache, the . . . View Full Definition

Display Adapter: The interface between the computer and the monitor. Transmits the signals that, in turn, appear as images on the display. This can be an expansion card or an integrated chip on the motherboard.

Distributed Network: A network using multiple locations. This process if very effective when a specific job can be dynamically tackled by each node in the network rather than by using one individual machines processor.

Docking Station: Equipment that allows a laptop or notebook computer to use peripherals and accessories normally associated with desktop systems without the hassle of plugging and unplugging each device.

Domain: A domain is a computer, web site or network that is connected to the Internet. A typical domain name looks like this: www.5starsupport.com. The 'www' prefix signifies that it is connected to . . . View Full Definition

Domain Name: This is a unique identifier of an organization attached to the Internet. Domain names are used to make a web site easier to remember rather than trying to remember a series of long numbers k . . . View Full Definition

Domain Name Service (DNS): This service changes alphabetical domain names in to IP (Internet protocol) addresses. While domain names, such as 5StarSupport are very easy to remember, the Internet is made up of IP addre . . . View Full Definition

Dongle: A device that attaches to a computer to control access to a particular application. Dongles provide the most effective means of copy protection. Typically, the dongle attaches to a PC's para . . . View Full Definition

Dot Pitch: An image measurement taken from center to center between stripes or phosphor dots on monitor. The smaller the number, the better the image quality. This measurement is taken in millimeters a . . . View Full Definition

Dots Per Inch (DPI): An image measurement standard that measures an images resolution as it applies to printers. It measures the images pixels in one square inch. The higher the number the better the images reso . . . View Full Definition

Double Data Rate (DDR): Stands for 'Double Data Rate.' A type of advanced SDRAM designed to deliver data at a double rate of speed for a given clock frequency. DDR is used in some of the newer video cards such as N . . . View Full Definition

Downstream: This term refers to any information that is being received by a computer system. If the information is leaving the computer system it is referred to as 'upstream'.

Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38