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Daisychain	A method of connecting devices (especially peripherals) to PCs. The PC is linked by one cable to the first device, which in turn is linked by another cable to a second device, which likewise is linked by a single cable to a third device and so on.
Data	Information that a computer stores or processes. Data can vary considerably in complexity, ranging from text to numbers, graphics and video or audio recordings.
Database	A collection of multiple data items held in a file or number of files. Data on its own is of limited use, so powerful database software programs have been developed to analyse and manipulate data according to users' requirements. Applications range from storing a small number of address details to maintaining millions of records related to customer transactions, stock inventories and similar processes generating large amounts of data. The ability to analyse such data is seen as one of the most powerful business tools currently available.
Data File	A file containing data, such as the text of a letter, an address list or a scanned photograph. This has a unique file name or reference so that the data can be located and processed easily.
Data protection	Good practice in relation to the collection and storage of any personal data by companies. The Data Protection Act 1998 sets out how data must be handled. Visit the Information Commissioner's web site at www.dataprotection.gov.uk for further details.
Decryption	Unscrambling information that has been encrypted - see encryption.
Depreciation	(1) of an asset. The fall in value of an asset usually due to wear and tear as it grows older. (2) of a currency. A currency can fall in value due to a changing exchange rate against other currencies. A fall in value makes exported goods cheaper for foreign buyers and makes imported goods more expensive for domestic buyers.
Desktop	The main view of a graphically based operating system, such as the Apple OS, which, like a real desk, holds folders containing applications or data files.
Desktop PC	Desktop PC - A standard PC designed for operation at a desk, as opposed to a portable PC.
Digital	Storage or transmission of recorded data (information, sound, vision etc) based on the binary system where data is translated into a string of numbers, represented by a combination of the digits 1 and 0. Digital technology is currently in the ascendant due to its reputedly high accuracy.
Digital signature	The electronic equivalent of a handwritten signature, a digital signature is a computer file that can be used to verify the integrity of a document or data. In the future, individuals are likely to use digital signatures to prove their identity when undertaking electronic transactions.
Direct debit	An agreement which authorises one organisation to debit money from the bank account of another individual or organisation on a regular basis.
Direct mail	A sales letter, printed brochure or card - personally addressed to potential or existing customers and delivered by post.
Direct selling	The practice of selling direct to customers through distributors or self-employed sales people rather than through shops.
Director	A member of the board which manages a company.
Diskette	Also known as floppy disks, these are magnetic data storage disks, first available in 5.25 inch sizes and now more common in 3.5 inch format with a 1.4 Mb capacity. Due to their slow access speeds and the growth in the size of data files, diskettes are gradually becoming obsolete as newer storage media offer higher speeds and greater storage capacity.
Display advertising	Advertisements which appear in the main part of a publication, which feature graphics and text laid out according to the advertiser's own design.
Dividend	Income paid to the owners of a company's shares.
Domain	The system of naming web sites - www.z2z.com is the domain name for the Zarywacz web site.
Download	Transfer of information from one computer to another - as in downloading a file from the internet or mainframe computer to a desktop PC.
DPI	Dots per inch refers to the quality of an image displayed on a computer or printed on any material. Computer graphics often have a low resolution of 72 dpi, whereas printed graphics are often 300 dpi and up to 2,400 dpi for very high quality. This explains why many web graphics print so badly.
Drawdown	The withdrawal of money from a loan bank account.
DTI	The Department of Trade and Industry is the Government department responsible for UK business. Visit the DTI's web site at www.dti.gov.uk for further details.
DVD	The Digital Versatile Disc looks like a CD, but can store a lot more data - up to 8.5 gigabytes on dual-layer discs and up to 17 gigabytes on double-sided versions. This is accomplished through using smaller tracks than on conventional CDs and reading data at faster speeds. The increased capacity suits DVD discs for distributing large multimedia, audio and video files.