| slovo | definícia |
dongle
(encz) | dongle,hardwarový klíč Zdeněk Brož |
dongle
(wn) | dongle
n 1: (computer science) an electronic device that must be
attached to a computer in order for it to use protected
software |
dongle
(foldoc) | dongle
/dong'gl/ (From "dangle" - because it dangles off
the computer?)
1. A security or copy protection device for
commercial microcomputer programs that must be connected to
an I/O port of the computer while the program is run.
Programs that use a dongle query the port at start-up and at
programmed intervals thereafter, and terminate if it does not
respond with the expected validation code.
One common form consisted of a serialised EPROM and some
drivers in a D-25 connector shell.
Dongles attempt to combat software theft by ensuring that,
while users can still make copies of the program (e.g. for
backup), they must buy one dongle for each simultaneous use
of the program.
The idea was clever, but initially unpopular with users who
disliked tying up a port this way. By 1993 almost all dongles
passed data through transparently while monitoring for their
particular magic codes (and combinations of status lines)
with minimal if any interference with devices further down the
line. This innovation was necessary to allow daisy-chained
dongles for multiple pieces of software.
In 1998, dongles and other copy protection systems are fairly
uncommon for Microsoft Windows software but one engineer in
a print and CADD bureau reports that their Macintosh
computers typically run seven dongles: After Effects, Electric
Image, two for Media 100, Ultimatte, Elastic Reality and CADD.
These dongles are made for the Mac's daisy-chainable ADB
port.
The term is used, by extension, for any physical electronic
key or transferable ID required for a program to function.
Common variations on this theme have used the parallel port
or even the joystick port or a dongle-disk.
An early 1992 advertisment from Rainbow Technologies (a
manufacturer of dongles) claimed that the word derived from
"Don Gall", the alleged inventor of the device. The company's
receptionist however said that the story was a myth invented
for the ad.
[Jargon File]
(1998-12-13)
2. A small adapter cable that connects, e.g. a PCMCIA
modem to a telephone socket or a PCMCIA network card to an
RJ45 network cable.
(2002-09-29)
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dongle
(jargon) | dongle
/dong'gl/, n.
1. [now obs.] A security or copy protection device for proprietary
software consisting of a serialized EPROM and some drivers in a D-25
connector shell, which must be connected to an I/O port of the computer
while the program is run. Programs that use a dongle query the port at
startup and at programmed intervals thereafter, and terminate if it does
not respond with the dongle's programmed validation code. Thus, users can
make as many copies of the program as they want but must pay for each
dongle. The first sighting of a dongle was in 1984, associated with a
software product called PaperClip. The idea was clever, but it was
initially a failure, as users disliked tying up a serial port this way. By
1993, dongles would typically pass data through the port and monitor for {
magic} codes (and combinations of status lines) with minimal if any
interference with devices further down the line — this innovation was
necessary to allow daisy-chained dongles for multiple pieces of software.
These devices have become rare as the industry has moved away from
copy-protection schemes in general.
2. By extension, any physical electronic key or transferable ID required
for a program to function. Common variations on this theme have used
parallel or even joystick ports. See dongle-disk.
3. An adaptor cable mating a special edge-type connector on a PCMCIA or
on-board Ethernet card to a standard 8p8c Ethernet jack. This usage seems
to have surfaced in 1999 and is now dominant. Laptop owners curse these
things because they're notoriously easy to lose and the vendors commonly
charge extortionate prices for replacements.
[Note: in early 1992, advertising copy from Rainbow Technologies (a
manufacturer of dongles) included a claim that the word derived from “Don
Gall”, allegedly the inventor of the device. The company's receptionist
will cheerfully tell you that the story is a myth invented for the ad copy.
Nevertheless, I expect it to haunt my life as a lexicographer for at least
the next ten years. :-( —ESR]
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| | podobné slovo | definícia |
dongle cracker
(foldoc) | dongle cracker
Someone who enables software that has been written
to require a dongle to run without it.
(2007-06-11)
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dongle-disk
(foldoc) | dongle-disk
/don'gl disk/ (Or "key disk") A kind of dongle consisting of
a special floppy disk that is required in order to perform
some task. Some contain special coding that allows an
application to identify it uniquely, others *are* special code
that does something that normally-resident programs don't or
can't.
For example, AT&T's "Unix PC" would only come up in {root
mode} with a special boot disk.
[Jargon File]
(1998-12-13)
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dongle-disk
(jargon) | dongle-disk
/don'gl disk/, n.
A special floppy disk that is required in order to perform some task. Some
contain special coding that allows an application to identify it uniquely,
others are special code that does something that normally-resident programs
don't or can't. (For example, AT&T's “Unix PC” would only come up in {root
mode} with a special boot disk.) Also called a key disk. See dongle.
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