< jargon > (Or "offline")
1. Not directly connected to the computer (e.g., an off-line tape drive ), or with connection suspended ("take the printer off-line").
Contrast background , on-line .
2. Not now or not here. "Let's take this discussion off-line." Specifically used on Usenet to suggest that a discussion be moved off a public newsgroup to e-mail .
See also off-line world .
[ Jargon File ]
(1996-02-02)