Data

Generalized term referring to computer information. Data can be words, pictures, sounds, numbers or all combined.

DCS

Acronym for Desktop Color Separations. Graphic file format developed by Quark for use with programs like QuarkXPress. It is similar to an encapsulated PostScript image, but it creates five separate EPS images, four of which are color separations of the image (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) while the fifth is a preview of the image. Files saved in this format have ".dcs" as a file extension.

Decompression

The expanding of compressed image files. See lossy and non-lossy.

Default

A command a program uses unless another choice is made.

Density

Measurement of a material’s ability to absorb or reflect light. Density is measured from 0 to 4.0. 0 is lightest, or white, because it reflects all light, while 4.0 is darkest, or black, because it absorbs all light. See dynamic range.

Descreen

Setting in a scanner interface for reducing moiré patterns and other image noise that occurs when scanning images that have been printed using halftone or line screening. Also known as demoiré.

Desktop

Main screen of a GUI where the majority of work is done. Desktops in Windows and the Macintosh OS have special icons and menus for launching all or most of the programs loaded into the computer system. See GUI.

Desktop Publishing

Term referring to using a program or suite of programs to create professional-style documents from one’s personal computer system.

Destination

Term referring to the disk or directory folder where a file is being sent to or from.

Device Independent

Program or file that can interface with other applications or platforms without requiring customized instructions.

Dialog Box

In a graphical user interface, any number of small windows in a computer program that prompt a response or convey information.

DIB

Acronym for Device-Independent Bitmap. Bitmap file format that depends on the drivers of the output device, such as the printer, for determining the DIB colors the output device can display. File saved in this format have ".dib" as a file extension.

Digital

Term referring to storage or transmission of data elements as numerical values. Digital information has distinct levels unlike continuos analog information.

Digital Camera

Camera, which uses a CCD and ADC to capture, images electronically instead of on film.

Direct Scan Icon

Icon located in the Windows system tray used with the Scan Dialog Box program. The Direct Scan Icon resembles a green scanner with "Z’s" coming up from the front. When the scanner document cover is opened, the Direct Scan Icon activates the cover sensor, which launches the Scan Dialog Box program.

Directory Folder

In a graphical user interface, an icon resembling a yellow file folder where other files are stored for data organization. Directory folders are used to represent any drive or directory contents in the system.

Display

1. General term referring to the screen area of a computer monitor. 2. Pertaining to or properties of a computer monitor.

Document

General term referring to any piece of paper with text or images placed within a scanner.

Document Cover

Hinged lid of a scanner used for holding documents in place and keep out excess light during scanning. The inside of document covers are usually padded with a piece of black or white material to act as a neutral background to the documents in the scanner.

Dot

1. Small squares of various colors and tones that, when arranged together, compose a bitmap image. There can be hundreds to thousands of dots per inch in an image, and image resolution is measured in these terms. 2. The vocalization of the period in certain computer terms, such as www-dot-mustek-dot-com (www.mustek.com) or dot-jpg (.jpg).

Double-click

Rapid pressing of the mouse button to activate an application or open a file in a GUI. See click, GUI and mouse.

Download

1. To transfer files from one computer to another, usually via the internet. 2. Common term referring to downloaded files.

DPI

Acronym for Dots Per Inch. Common measurement of scanner and image resolution. The more dots per inch, the higher the resolution.

Drag and Drop

In a graphical user interface, the ability to select items with the mouse and move them (drag) to a new location where they can be placed (drop).

Drive Letter

Letter designation given to a computer disk drive, for example A:\.

Driver

Software containing instructions for the interaction between a computer system and a piece of hardware.

Drum Scanner

Professional-level scanner where the item being scanned is rotated around a stationary scanning element.

Dynamic Range

A scanner’s ability to interpret the range of tones from white to black. The higher the dynamic range, the more detailed the images. In most cases, the higher the bit depth of a scanner, the more dynamic range it has.