Clipboard: A temporary holding area for cut or copied items.

ClipBook: A program that allows you to handle and manage the items you've copied.

Close button: Last button on the right of a window's Title bar. Also on dialog boxes. Close the window or dialog box completely.

Compound document: A document that contains objects from more than one application.

Compressed: Reduced in file size by adjusting the colors.

Configuration report: A list of your current device settings.

Context menu: A menu that displays when users right-click an object. Contains options specific to that object.

Cookie: Small piece of information stored by a Web site onto a person's computer. Allows the Web site to personalize the person's next visit to the site.

Copy: To create a duplicate of an object.

Critical update: An update to the operating system that fixes a known problem, especially a problem with security.

Critical Update Notification: A program that checks for critical updates whenever you connect to the Internet. It sends an e-mail message to notify you of changes.

Desktop: The starting screen for Windows 2000. All activity begins at the Desktop.

Device Manager: A utility that allows you to check the status of the various pieces of hardware connected to your computer.

Device: Any piece of equipment attached to your computer.

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol): Automatically assigns IP addresses to client computers logging onto a network.

Dial-up: A method of connecting to the Internet using a telephone line.

Dial-up networking: Connecting to a network using a telephone line, rather than simply a cable.

Dialog box: Similar to a window, but contains fields and tools to allow users to specify information.

Directory: A simulated file folder on disk. This term is sometimes used interchangeably with folder.

Disk defragmentation: A process that reassembles file fragments on a disk so they are contiguous. This reduces the amount of time your computer will spend locating all the parts of a file.

Disk: A storage device.

DNS (Domain Name System): Software that converts descriptive host names to IP addresses.

Domain: A logical grouping of computers that share network resources with one or more computers (called domain controllers) acting as administrators for the entire domain.

Domain name: The name of a Web location. Includes a three-character suffix to indicate the type of domain.

Double-click: To press the left button of the mouse twice quickly in succession over an object. Opens the object.

Download: To copy information from an Internet or e-mail server to one's computer.