Trivia
HardIn Computer Lingo, Small USB-Based Hardware Additions Are Called What?
Answer: Dongles
It’s fairly common for computer users the world over to expand the capability of their computers using USB-based expansions. Need to upgrade your Wi-Fi? You can plug and play your way to better speeds with a USB solution. Need to read SD cards on your laptop, but there’s no reader built in? There’s a USB-based solution for that too.
These small USB-based hardware expansions to your computer are known as dongles. The etymology of the term is unclear, but it has been suggested that it was a corruption of the word “dangle” since early computer dongles dangled from the PC ports they were attached to.
The original dongles were security-oriented: the dongle functioned as a hardware-based key for either the computer itself or software on it. While those type of dongles still exist, they’ve been greatly surpassed in use by general hardware dongles that cheaply expand the hardware capabilities of the user’s computer.
Trivia
Very HardThe Oldest 20-Sided Dice Belonged To Which Ancient Culture?
Trivia
HardWhen The Soviet Union Fell, Reporters Used What Technology To Skirt Media Blackouts?
Trivia
EasyWhich U.S. State Capital Has No Roads Linking It To The Surrounding Land?
Trivia
Very HardIn 2013 Motorola Revealed An Unconventional Authentication System Built Around A?
Trivia
EasyThe Microwave Oven Was Invented As An Accidental Offshoot Of What Technology?
Trivia
HardBrief Bright Flashes In The Night Sky Called “Iridium Flares” Are Caused By?
Trivia
EasyWhich Spacecraft Will Soon Be The First To Leave Our Solar System?
Trivia
EasyWhat Movie Introduced The Public To The Concept Of “DEFCON” Military Alerts?
Trivia
HardWhat Was The Easter Egg Inside Microsoft Excel 95?
Trivia
HardWhich Of These Animals Plays The Most Significant Role In The Seeding Of North American Forests?
