Doorstop

What Does Doorstop Mean?

“Doorstop” is an IT term for an obsolete program or piece of equipment, or anything that might take up space in an office. The idea is that these obsolete items are nothing but expensive doorstops, and their only utility would be to hold the door open.

Advertisements

Techopedia Explains Doorstop

One interesting detail in the use of the term “doorstop” is that some definitions refer to obsolete or useless software programs, while others apply to specific devices and peripheral accessories. For example, someone might say “they did end of support for Microsoft 2000 years ago, and now it’s just an expensive doorstop.” Here, the listener assumes a metaphor – that the doorstop would be composed of the box and CD that the software came in. However, the term “doorstop” can also be applied to the types of computer devices and accessories that end up in places like Goodwill and Salvation Army. It is easier to see how these items would function as physical doorstops, and how they would have little other value.

Advertisements

Related Terms

Latest Buzzwords and Jargon Terms

Related Reading

Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…