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4 Users Guide
Glossary
defragmenting
The
rearrangement of files and
unused space on your hard disk
so programs can run faster.
desktop
See Windows desktop.
dialog box
A small window
that requests information from
the user before a command can
be carried out.
digital
A system that uses
electronic signals to transfer data
in the form of bits. A bit is
represented by a single digit.
Computers use only two
digits—either a 0 or a 1—in
various combinations.
See also bit and byte.
directory
See folder.
discussion group
A group
discussion on a topic of mutual
interest held on the Internet.
Instead of meeting in a
classroom, students may meet
for group discussions on the
Internet.
disk
High-capacity storage
media, such as the hard disk
inside the computer and the
removable media used in a Zip
drive or Jaz drive.
double-click
To push down
and quickly release the left
mouse button two times in rapid
succession to open an item.
download
To receive files from
another computer on the
Internet.
drive
A device that reads and
sometimes writes to storage
media. Examples are the CD
drive, DVD drive, LS Compaq
drive, floppy drive, and hard
drive.
driver
Software that enables the
operating system to recognize
and operate devices installed in
or attached to the computer, such
as a printer. All drives use
removable media and all
peripheral devices have drivers.
You can download updated
drivers from the manufacturer’s
Web site. See also peripheral.
drop-down menu
A list of
options that drops down when
you click a menu on the menu
bar or the down arrow on a
dialog box.