User's Manual

Glossary 239
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DELL CONFI DENTI AL – PRELI MI NARY 1/29/03 – FOR PROOF ONLY
DMA — direct memory access — A channel that allows certain types of data
transfer between RAM and a device to bypass the microprocessor.
DOCKI NG DEVI CE — See APR.
DMTF — Distributed Management Task Force — A consortium of hardware and
software companies who develop management standards for distributed desktop,
network, enterprise, and Internet environments.
DOM AIN — A group of computers, programs, and devices on a network that are
administered as a unit with common rules and procedures for use by a specific group
of users. A user logs on to the domain to gain access to the resources.
DRAM — dynamic random-access memory — Memory that stores information in
integrated circuits containing capacitors.
DRIVER — Software that allows the operating system to control a device such as a
printer. Many devices do not work properly if the correct driver is not installed in the
computer.
DSL — Digital Subscriber Line — A technology that provides a constant, high-
speed Internet connection through an analog telephone line.
DUAL DISPLAY MODE — A display setting that allows you to use a second
monitor as an extension of your display. Also referred to as extended display mode.
DVD — digital versatile disc — A disc usually used to store movies. DVDs are
double-sided, whereas CDs are single-sided. DVD drives read most CD media as
well.
DVD
DRIVE — A drive that uses optical technology to read data from DVDs and
CDs.
DVD PLAYER — The software used to watch DVD movies. The DVD player
displays a window with buttons that you use to watch a movie.
DVD+ RW — DVD rewritable — A rewritable version of a DVD. Data can be
written to a DVD+ RW disc, and then erased and written over (rewritten).
(DVD+ RW technology is different from DVD-RW technology.)
DVD+ RW
DRIVE — A drive that can read DVDs and most CD media and write
to DVD+ RW (rewritable DVDs) discs.
DVI — digital video interface — A standard for digital transmission between a
computer and a digital video display; the DVI adapter works through the computer’s
integrated graphics.
E
ECC — error checking and correction — A type of memory that includes special
circuitry for testing the accuracy of data as it passes in and out of memory.
ECP — extended capabilities port — A parallel connector design that provides