DAL: enables network activity using Data Access Language, formerly called CL/1. From Apple's Tech Info Library:
Data Access Language is Apple's client/server protocol for remote data access and is based on ANSI standard SQL (Structured Query Language). DAL is optimized to provide decision-support applications with uniform access to data, regardless of the different brands of databases, the different host platforms, or the different types of networks.
The DAL client software is included as a part of System 7.0 and can be transparently accessed by applications written to the Data Access Manager API. These applications can access data from DAL servers running on host computers, across all DAL-supported networks. Therefore, with the Data Access Manager and the included DAL client software in System 7, applications can "speak" in an identical fashion to many different types of host databases. Apple Computer Inc. is currently delivering DAL servers through APDA for the following environments:
√ VAX/VMS (for DEC Rdb, Informix, Ingres, Oracle, and Sybase)
√ MVS/TSO (for IBM DB2)
√ VM/CMS (for IBM SQL/DS)
DEC also provides DAL as a part of the DEC PathWORKS product. Apple is also working with software and hardware vendors to extend DAL client and server support to other industry platforms.
Data: information a program outputs. Another word for data is information.
Data Compression: is used in online networks to compress or make files smaller in size so that data transfer is much faster. You can also use data compression by using an application called DropStuff to compress files into different formats such as .sit, .hqx or .sea (stuffit, binhex or self-extracting archives). Then use the Stuffit Expander application to expand the compressed files. Compressing files are of great use when backing up files, therefore saving on hard disk space.
Data Fork: the part of a file that contains information accessed through the Macintosh file manager. Information in the Data Fork can normally be recovered even if the document is badly damaged.
Date & Time v7.5: is a control panel that allows you to turn the menubar clock on/off, configure the date/time format, set Daylight Savings Time and your time zone, and set the time and date.
Decrement <programming>: to decrease the value of a variable by one. The decrement operator is the “--” symbol (two minus signs).
Defective Media: volumes that do not pick up the magnetization pattern written by the disk drive.
Desk Accessory: a type of application that is accessible at any time, even while another application is running. Desk accessories can be accessed via the Apple Menu. Examples are Calculator, Find File, Note Pad, and so on.
Desktop: is the monitor screen or when you’re in the finder, it contains the menu bar (top) and on the vertical right is the Hard Disk icon, Desktop Printer icon, Megaphone/ whatever else is on your desktop and also the Trash. The startup disk is always the icon on the top.
Desktop File: an invisible file that is created on every volume when it is initialized and is subsequently updated to keep track of information about the volume, such as which icons are used on the desktop.
Desktop Patterns v7.5: not even a Control Panel, it's actually an application. Allows you to change the background of your desktop. If you click "option" and select a pattern, it selects the pattern for utilities such as "Find File." You can delete/add pictures using the cut/paste commands.
Desktop PrintMonitor, Printer Spooler, Printer Extension v2.0: Under LaserWriter 8.3 and higher, these extensions allow you to have a printer icon on your desktop, to which you can drag and drop documents to be printed. Double-clicking the icon brings up a PrintMonitor specifically for that printer. If you have more than one Desktop Printer, you can drag and drop/schedule documents between them. Version 2.0 includes the option of selecting printers from the menu bar, control strip, or Print dialog box. Also, the desktop printer icons can be moved to anywhere on the hard drive. If you are using this software on a 68k Mac, you will also have the CFM-68K Runtime Enabler" extension installed.
Desktop Strip: shareware which gives all Mac models the capability of a "Control Strip-like" utility. (Mine looks like this cause it’s a third-party extension strip).
Device Partition: a special type of volume that is actually part of a larger volume and is created either by the device manufacturer or by a Macintosh user with the help of software provided by the manufacturer. Often referred to as “hard partitions,” “SCSI partitions,” and various other names. Not to be confused with “volume partitions” or “ soft partitions.”
Dialog Box: a special type of window that contains items --- such as buttons ---that allows a computer user to communicate with the program.
Dialog View: shareware which expands the open/save dialogs to let you see longer file names. Also allows you to change some system fonts/icons.
Digital Camera: is a shareware program which allows you to take pictures of pictures or text on your screen. With this camera (application) you can select which part of the image you want and has a sound effect of a camera click. When you save your pictures they are in PICT format.
Directory: is a list of a volumes (hard disks) contents. The contents can be listed in numerous ways, such as by type, size, date, color, or icon.
Directory Assistance II: an extension that is bundled with Norton Utilities v2.0, dropped in v3.0. Allows configuring open/save dialog boxes for each application (preferred drive/folder/files, with keyboard shortcut assignments for each). It also provides extra options (find file, delete, duplicate) from within open/save dialog boxes. Most of its functionality can be found in Default Folder or Now Super Boomerang. Conflicts with PCExchange, QuarkXpress, will not work under 7.5.2/7.5.3, although a few individuals claim to have no problems with it.
Dirt Bike: is a shareware game where you are riding a dirt bike on several different tracks of rough terrain. The bike, tracks, and landscaping are all editable with the full version. It has great sound effects and fun!
Disinfectant v3.6: a freeware virus detection extension. Most people can get by with this alone, and not bothering with Virex or SAM. It scans your disk for viruses or any other files, folders, etc. you may want scanned separately.
Disk: a device that stores data using a form of magnetic impulses. There are two main types, floppy disks and hard disks. Often referred to generically as a “volume.”
Disk Drive: a device that reads and stores data to and from disks.
Disk Cache: is a portion of your computer's RAM set aside to store frequently used information. The disk cache helps your programs run faster, but the RAM it uses is not available for opening programs. 96K is the default setting. SpeedDoubler sets the Disk Cache to 768K by default. (I am not using SpeedDoubler or RamDoubler; because of too many conflicts with extensions I am using) so I set my Disk Cache and Virtual Memory as shown below.
Diskette Drive or Floppy Disk Drive: writes to and reads from diskettes that can be removed at will. The two existing standards for diskettes are 5.25 inches and 3.5 inches. The older Macintosh computers, like the Macinosh Plus can only read/write floppy disks in 800K and the newer Macintosh computers like the Performa read/write 1440K floppy disks. So if you try interchanging disks, it won’t work. If you have an external hard drive, this is the only way to exchange files.
DiskExpress II: a disk defragmentation utility.
Disk First Aid v7.2.2: comes with Apple’s system 7.5 Update 2.0 and repairs corrupted hard disks where files may be missing or damaged. Disk First Aid should be used whenever you suspect the hard drive is at fault or when things just aren’t going right. This version also repairs other external hard disks. Like my MicroNet ES170, which was created in 1956 (40 years old). Note: you can always verify the startup disk without having to restart.
DiskLight: enables a blinking icon in the menu bar to indicate disk access. This control panel is notorious for causing init conflicts and crashes.
Display Enabler 2.0.2: Adds functionality to Energy Saver and the Monitors control strip module. According to Apple, "The Display Software 2.0 installs Display Enabler version 2.0. This version is not necessary on the PCI Power Macintosh computers (although its presence will not disrupt anything). HOWEVER: The AppleVision Software 1.0.2 installs Display Enabler 2.0.2 and we do recommend this version if you have the AppleVision 1710AV or AudioVision 14" Display." Version 2.0 is incorporated into the System or System Update 7.5.2 under System 7.5.3; version 2.0.2 is not. This file actually has a space at the beginning of its name to allow it to load first in the startup process.
DocMaker: is a (shareware program) word processor for creating books and allows you to add a table of contents, chapters, pictures, and icons, etc. But is a memory hog for large applications.
DocViewer (Apple DocViewer): is a program for storing mass amounts of developer information in one program for programmers.
Document: a file containing information created, modified, and saved using any of various applications.
Document, Saving/Opening a: when an application saves a document, it is also saving its own special set of instructions on how the document is made and a notation to the Finder (called a type and creator) that allows you to double click on it so the Finder knows what application (creator or parent application) to run to read that particular document.
Dogfight City Demo: is a shareware program where you are flying a WWII air plane with the use of bombs and machine gun.
DOS Compatibility Software Update 1.5: used by Macs with the DOS Compatibility Card (not necessary for PCI Macs with a DOS Compatibility Card). It is recommended that you update your system to 7.5.3 for best results with the DOS Cards.
DoubleScroll v2.1.2: adds up and down scroll buttons at both the top and bottom of scroll bars (so you don't have to go to the bottom of a window to scroll down, or vice versa).
Downloading: information retrieved from another computer and stored on your own computer. Files downloaded from an online network are compressed to make file transfer faster and are usually encode with a suffix of either .bin or .hqx. The .bin or binary file is much smaller in size than the .hqx or BinHex file.
Drag&Drop Extension/Drag Enabler: incorporated into System since 7.5; this is installed by numerous programs, such as Now Utilities and ccMail, for universal compatibility, but, again, is not needed under 7.5 and later systems.
Drive Firmware Update Extension v1.2: only useful for Macs with IDE hard drives. Fixes a bug with audible drive noise. You must restart twice after installing this extension to activate its features.
Drive Setup: an application program which scans your SCSI chain for current peripherals, such as hard disks, scanners, etc. There is a help guide along with the application (?) to open the guide menu or choose Drive Setup Guide in the menu bar (upper right corner).
Driver: software that tells your Macintosh how to access and work with a device.
DropStuff 4.0: is an application that allows you to stuff files in stuffit/BinHex form. DropStuff 4.0 w/expander enhancer (w/EE) allows you to stuff/unstuff files. Made by Aladdin Systems.
Duo Battery Patch: fixed a conflict with PowerBook Duo 210, 230, and 250 computers which had an Express Modem installed and which were using version 1.0 of the PowerBook Duo Enabler. In this configuration, the Duo battery would not recharge. This problem was fixed by a newer version of the PowerBook Duo Enabler.
