A display terminal without processing capability. It is entirely dependent on the main computer for processing. Although mainframe and minicomputer terminals (3270, 5150, etc.) are technically smart terminals, because they have a certain amount of built-in screen display capabilities, they are often called dumb terminals. Contrast with smart terminal and intelligent terminal.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2009 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- Does Chrome OS mean anything for schools?
- Benefits of the ChromeOS approachOne of the features of HTML5, that commentors on other posts seem to forget, is that HTML5 web apps can be "installed" in app cache, for offline use (Google "HTML5 manifest").If web apps can be used offline AND made to perform like desktop apps, with web...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-28
- Will the GPU become the new CPU?
- No mention of OpenCL?Oh well...Not right now, but will come soon.Not right now, but maybe will come soon.The current generation of GPUs are fantastically powerful, BUT:-Current GPUs use a technology called "stream processing," which essentially pre-loads the instructions into the processors and starts streaming data.This is unlike CPUs, where both...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-27
- The cloud computing battleground takes shape. Will it be winner-take-all?
- You can't be a good consultant if you can't even mention MSIf you really think MS is irrelevant in cloud computing then you have some serious bias issues to work out.The fact that throughout your entire blog you can't even get yourself to mention MS or Azure even once is...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-24
- What open source can teach medical practice
- Great article, Dana.You did in such a short piece what CNN, MSNBC, FOX and other media journalists failed to do: tell the story as it really is. You didn't take what was news worthy and sensationalized it, nor played up a negative reading of it to frighten those possibly affected,...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-24
- Chrome OS will rise or fall on the safety dance
- Scare tactics against Chrome OSI can see Microsoft really did the 'safety dance' with Windows it has been so successful...Chrome_OS is an entirely different modular approach plus they are using Open_Source with NO limitation of how high they can reach. I find it amazing anyone with a straight face say...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-24
- Best Buy adds $197 HP laptop to Black Friday lineup
- I hate agreeing with linuxbut alas I must do it this time :( He's right, this is some cheap hardware. Intel celeron? Who uses that anymore? I guess its good for kids, but any power user will not want this laptop. I'm holding out for a...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-24
- Client virtualization will help you create your next generation desktop
- Full circle to dumb terminal or network appliance right?RE: Client virtualization will help you create your next generation desktopAs always, speed is the unquantfied variable. If its good, then the apps will run great with no significant degradation. If not (as is usually the case with cost cutting companies now...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-02
- Edubuntu followup
- A number of readers posed both thoughts and questions related to my Wednesday post, "The state of Edubuntu...Thoughts?" While the expected "Why the hell would you use *nix anyway?" sorts of questions were thrown in for good measure, many readers had solid recommendations based on experience while others had...
- Blog posts 2009-08-06
- Inside Microsoft's radical, new Web browser
- Inside Microsoft's radical, new Web browserNoScript with ABE?So this is like NoScript with ABE?How can the operating system go away?Are these Operating System haters going to write an OS for every application, including their precious web browsers? Do these so-called "futurists" want to regress back to 1950's computing? The...
- Discussion threads 2009-07-07
- The Internet devalues everything it touches . . .
- The Internet devalues everything it touches . . .Cloud Computing: The low cost arrived to IT business?Hi Tom,Great analysis, and of course I agree.And dare to say that Cloud Computing is also the IT business ?low cost?:http://www.cloudviews.org/2009/05/cloud-computing-the-low-cost-arrived-to-it-business/RE: The Internet devalues everything it touches . . .i don't think it can...
- Discussion threads 2009-06-20
- Is anyone WOWed by desktop wallpapers any more? Microsoft thinks so!
- Is anyone WOWed by desktop wallpapers any more? Microsoft thinks so!I agreeAs I have said before, I'd love to see Microsoft start advertising features of Windows and not the eye candy."What can Windows do for you?"This is Apple's trickApple puts a lot of effort into eye candy. Same as MS....
- Discussion threads 2009-06-03
- Pano Logic brings us closer to "The Screen"
- Pano Logic brings us closer to "The Screen"I'm sorry but it still contains an operating systemA few years back at VMWorld I had a 'healthy' discussion with one of the stand techies since no matter what Pano Logic say if the device can boot and connect there is at least...
- Discussion threads 2009-05-11
- Today's Cloud: garbage; Tomorrow's? insanely great
- Today's Cloud: garbage; Tomorrow's? insanely greatThere's interest from SMEsWe've had a few of our customers (all SME's) asking about this. One customer uses a hosting providing to run their public facing web site, which is mainly static content, but they also upload order tracking data on a daily basis, for...
- Discussion threads 2009-03-23
- Cloud: More important than the PC?
- Cloud: More important than the PC? Without the PC there is no cloudI'm not denying the fact that the cloud has gained importance, and I'm not denying that you can gain access to the cloud through non-PC devices. But the PC is still where the content is...
- Discussion threads 2009-02-24
- GNOME can rescue Ubuntu in netbook market
- GNOME can rescue Ubuntu in netbook marketWhat problem?Would you care to be more specific? Exactly what problem does the Gnome UI give Ubuntu.And also what can be done to make software installation and update any easier? Most software is in the repo and you only have to select it and...
- Discussion threads 2009-02-05
- Microsoft patents interface to transform phone into PC
- Microsoft patents interface to transform phone into PCRE: Microsoft patents interface to transform phone into PCIt's a bit late - the iPhone is heading the same way from another direction. I don't think the iPhone is going to violate this patent because there won't be a second CPU in the...
- Discussion threads 2009-01-29
- Are thin clients still for me?
- Are thin clients still for me?I'm sure Paul Murphy can helpHe advocates SunRays as the thin client de jour. You are right about the SPOF single point of failure problem - but the MTBF rate may be insignificantly small. Wireless networks are hard for kids to mess with, as are...
- Discussion threads 2009-01-21
- Internet Inauguration: The Interactive Introduction of the Obama Presidency
- Internet Inauguration: The Interactive Introduction of the Obama PresidencyAm I the only one creeped out by this posterIt looks just a little bit too much like this one.http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/LENIN%203.jpglyvegyde - links to live, inaugural webcastsMy brother and I created a website called lyvegyde (http://www.lyvegyde.com) that provides links to live, online events....
- Discussion threads 2009-01-19
- Handicapping cloud computing: The big picture
- Handicapping cloud computing: The big pictureCan Microsoft leverage Windows and Office?Yes, using the internet for features which are adjuncts and supplements to Windows and Office will prevent loss of market share. The 10% reduction seen is anti-Microsoft optimism.But the more important question is whether new products made for Microsoft's...
- Discussion threads 2008-12-12
- Handicapping cloud computing: The big picture
- Cloud computing isn't going to dominate the tech landscape, but will raise a ruckus for software vendors. Google and Amazon will be cloud computing winners, but the spoils will be relatively small. And there's a race to deliver a cloud developer stack for both consumers and enterprise customers. ...
- Blog posts 2008-12-12
Neighboring Terms
Premier Vendor Content Whitepapers, webcasts & resources from our Power Center Sponsors
- Learn more about tools to grow your business
-
The Business Essentials Guide provides you useful tools and templates to help grow your business and save you time with automated shipping solutions.
- Save time with the UPS Business Essentials Guide
- Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online - Free Six-Month Trial for Eligible Organizations
-
Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online provides fast online access, simple contact management and better sales performance for a low monthly cost - the best value on the market today.
- Learn more about the free, six-month trial offer>>
- New Online Dashboard for IT Leaders
-
Read about top issues IT decision-makers face every day, plus get cost-effective solutions to real-life IT problems.
- Learn more >>
SmartPlanet
- Thought-provoking progressive ideas on diverse topics that intersect with technology, business, and life, and matter to the world at large. Visit SmartPlanet
- More from IBM
-
- How to Drive Better Business Outcomes with Exceptional Web Experiences Download the eBook
- Driving Business Agility through SOA Connectivity & Integration Read the White Paper from IBM
- Linking Decisions and Information for Organizational Performance Read the Tom Davenport study
