D: The CD-ROM drive on a PC. In spech it is referred to as the 'D drive'. See CD-ROM

Database A program used for storing,organising and sorting information. Each entry is called arecord and each category of information held in a record is called a field. 

Default Settings and preferences automatically adopted by your PC for any program when none are specified by the user.

Defragmenter A program which 'tidiis' files on the hard disk, Windows may split it up into fragments which are stored in different locations on the hard disk. This makes makes the retrievel of a file much slower. The 'defrag' program solves this problem by regrouping all related fata in the same place. 

Delete To remove a file, folder, image or piece of text completely. If you accidentally delete something from a document you can undelete it using the Edit/Undo function or the Undo toolbar button. 

Desktop When Windows has finished staring up, it presents you with a set of icons on screen. The icons represent the items you would find in an office, such as files, a wastebin and a briefcase. These icons, together with the taskbar and Strat button are known collectively as the Desktop. See Icon and Taskbar 

Dialoque Box A window that appears on screen displaying a message from the program currently in use. This usually asks for preferences or information to be input by the user. 

Dial-up connection The process of accessing another computer via a telephone line.

Digital Data that exists in binary number from 'O's and '1's. Computers process digital data.

Digital Image An image stored in number format, that can be transferred to hard disks or removable storage disks, displayed on screen or printed.

Disk A device for storing digital data. A hard disk is composed of a stack of rigid disks whereas a floppy disk has just one flexible plastic disc.

Disk Tools Programs that manage and maintain the hard disk, ensuring data is sotored effiently and that the hard disk runs at optimum speed.

Document A single piece of work created in a program. Also referred to as a file. See File 

DOS Disk Operating System. The standard operating system for PC's before Windows was inventet. 

Dots per inch (dpi) The number of dots that a printer can print on one square inch of paper. The more dots, the greater the detail and the better the quality of the printout. 

Double-click To press and release the left mouse button twice in quick succession. 

Download To copy a file or program from another computer to your own. For example, when you collect e-mail from an Internet Service Provider such as Yahoo or MSN, you are downloading it. 

Drag A mouse action used to highlight text, reshape objects or move an object or file. To move an object with the mouse pointer, for instance, click on it and keep the left mouse button held down. Move the the mouse pointer abd the object moves with it. 

Drive A device that holds a disk. The drive has a motor that spins the disk, and a head that reads it - like the stylus of a record player. 

Driver Software that translates instructions from Windows into a form that can be understood by a hardware device such as a printer. 

DVD Digital Versatile Disk. A CD-like disc, that can store 4,7GB or more data than a CD-ROM.