Compaq 277958-001 manual See Windows desktop

Understanding Computer Terms

dedicated line

A telephone line that is always connected to the modem (inside the computer) to provide constant access to the Internet. A separate telephone line is used for phone calls. See modem.

default

The option that the program automatically chooses for you when you do not indicate a choice yourself. For example, when you print a document, the Print dialog box asks which pages to print (the default is All) and how many copies to print (the default is 1). You can change the settings, and you can designate the new settings as the default.

desktop

See Windows desktop.

desktop computer

A personal computer designed to be placed on a desk. It is not portable as is a laptop or notebook computer.

dialog box

A small window that requests information from the user before a command can be carried out digitally.

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 bit and byte.

digital audio extraction

The process of copying CD-DA audio tracks digitally, from your CD-Recorder or CD-ROM drive to a hard drive or to a recordable CD. Not all CD-ROM drives support this, but most CD-Recorders do.

disc-at-once

A method of writing CDs in which one or more tracks are written in a single operation, and the CD is closed without ever turning off the writing laser. Contrast with track-at-once. Not all CD-Recorders support disc-at-once.

Learning More About Your Computer 5–9