Embroidery Term of the Week: Dongle

April 2nd, 2008 in embroidery

Jennifer Stern, contributor

A dongle is the security device that allows you to open up embroidery software programs.

Dongles aren’t one-size-fits-all, so you’ll need one for each security-protected piece of software.

A dongle is the security device that allows you to open up embroidery software programs.

Photo: Len Hasemann

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“Dongle” is such a goofy-sounding word. When I hear people talking about their dongles, I always imagine something silly—like they’re referring to their latest fashion accessory. Actually, a dongle is the security device that allows you to open embroidery software programs. Most customizing and digitizing software programs come with a little plastic and metal “key” that looks similar to a USB memory stick or jump drive.

Software manufactures provide these security devices with their programs to prevent consumers from sharing software. In order to open the program this security device must be plugged into a USB port. It is very hard to get a replacement if it gets lost, so take care not to lose it! (I keep all of my dongles on a long ribbon, safely tied together.)