What’s a Dongle? The Tiny Key That Runs Big Software in Post-Production | Slang with Doug Cavaliere

In post-production, “slaying” often depends on one small but powerful device: the dongle. Doug Cavaliere breaks down what a dongle is, why it’s still essential, and how it evolved from Apple’s old ADB ports to today’s USB keys. Dongles are physical hardware license keys that allow you to run professional editing software—without them, the app won’t launch.

Whether you're a veteran editor or just entering the world of media production, understanding dongles is part of understanding how professional software is secured and licensed.

Key Topics

• What is a dongle in post-production?
• Hardware-based licensing vs. serial numbers
• How USB dongles activate professional editing tools
• History of dongles: from Apple ADB ports to modern USB
• Why they still matter in today's workflows

Quotes

• “Dongles are hardware license keys—they look like a thumb drive but unlock serious software.”
• “Once upon a time, dongles plugged into the Apple Desktop Bus—because there was only one port on the back.”
• “Slaying in post-production starts with plugging in the right key.”
• “Without the dongle, the application doesn’t run. It’s that simple.”

‍