dongle

dongle
    n 1: (computer science) an electronic device that must be
         attached to a computer in order for it to use protected
         software
    

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]
    

dongle

   <hardware> /dong'gl/ (From "dangle" - because it dangles off
   the computer?)

   1. <security> 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 adaptor 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)