Backbone - A word used to describe cable
segments that connect computers in a straight line, The internet backbone is
literally cable connections to computers that run throughout the world. You can
find a map of them of the internet. Just search for "internet backbone".
Baluns - A transmission line transformer for
converting balanced input to unbalanced
output or vice versa.
Bandwidth - This refers to the amount of
data that your connection can transfer and is dependant on the type of hardware
that is used (i.e. -cabling, server, etc.). Abbreviated BW and measured in hertz
Barn Door - A term used to describe black
bars on the sides of a TV screen when a 4:3 image is viewed on a 16:9 screen.
Barrel Connector - A double female
connector used to join segments of coax cable.
Baseband - Coaxial cable that is a single
channel.
BASIC - Beginners All-purpose Symbolic
Instruction Code. A very simple computer programming language.
Batch file - A type of file used to
automate tasks, namely operating system startup. This file executes commands
that can start several programs at once.
Battery - A group of electrical cells that
provide dc voltage.
Baud - A unit of measure for data
transmission rate expressed in bits per second.
Baud Rate - The unit of measure for how
fast a modem operates.
Beacon - A network signal that identifies
the node upstream from a failed node.
Beam - A satellite transmission pattern.
BEDO - Burst Extended Data Out. An older
type of system memory that is faster than EDO.
Beta Software - A computer program that is
in a test phase. Usually distributed for free to tech savvy people that report
the bugs to the programmer of the software.
Benchmark - A standard used to measure
performance. For example, there are benchmark programs available to see how a
computer compares to comparable systems running at equivalent speeds. Sometimes
very useful for diagnosing pc problems.
Bent Pipe - A satellite network
architecture where the satellite acts as a relay station for data between ground
stations. Very little data processing occurs at the satellite.
BGA - Ball Grid Array
Binary System - The base 2 number system
that a computer uses. Digits can only be one or zero.
Biometrics - Instead of using passwords,
fingerprints and patterns of retina eye blood vessels are used for
identification. Coming on strong in the computer world. Fingerprint access is
available to everyone at low cost now. Chip implants in the body are being
tested now.
Binary - A numbering system with a base of
2.
Bird - A slang term for a satellite
Bit - A binary digit that is 1 or 0. A
string of bit's makes a byte (see below)
Bitmap - A two dimensional computer
graphic image.
Bitmap Image - An image that is displayed
(or stored) by the collection of individual pixels
BJT - Bipolar Junction Transistors
Black Hat SEO - This term refers to using
deceptive techniques to gain high search engine rankings. Some examples are
hiding text (i.e. - white letters on a white background) and cloaking.
Blog - An internet journal that is usually
updated frequently. Posts are in a "diary" format. Comments are usually allowed.
Click here to
find out why blogs changed the face of the internet.
Bluetooth - A type of wireless
communication.
Here is a
tutorial on Bluetooth Technologies.
Body Browser -
This Google web based interface is designed to let users identify various parts of
the human body, while also search for bones, organs and muscles. It also lets
users rotate a 3D image of the body, peel away skin and investigate the
different layers inside. It is inspired by Google Earth and Google Maps.
Bookmarks - 1) a hyperlink within a page(
Click on "B" at the top of this page and it carries you to this category).
2)Adding this page to your "Favorites" creates a bookmark.
Boolean - A variable that can only be true
or false. This word is most commonly used as 'Boolean Search'. A good example of
this would be, adding a plus sign (+) in front of a search term. This instructs
the search engine that the term must be included in the result. Typing in +Wilsons
Electronics would instruct the search engine to return results about electronics
but must include the word Wilsons. See our search page for more handy Boolean
search tips. Take the time to learn it as it comes in very handy for getting the
results you want.
Boot - Starting or restarting a computer.
"Cold boot" refers to starting the computer from when it is first turned on.
"Warm boot" is restarting a pc without powering down.
Here is an
article to help understand more about the booting process. Boot also refers
to the initial program that starts a computer.
Bot - Short for robot. Bots perform
automatic functions such as serving or searching for files.
Botherder - A person who controls a botnet.
Botnet - A term that refers to a
collection of computers hijacked by a virus (usually a trojan horse). All the
computers can be controlled by one operator.
BPS - Bits per second.
Braid - The metal shielding material found
on the outer layer of coax cable.
Brain Machine Interface - A new electronic
device that analyzes slight changes in brain blood flow and translates brain
motion into electrical signals. Hitachi has developed this device for users to
control various electronics.
BRI - Basic Rate Interface.
Bridge - A connection between two
networks.
Broadband - This term describes a data
transmission technique in which multiple channels are used to transfer data.
Just like cars on a road, the more lanes you have, the more traffic you can
move. Same thing applies to data transfer.
Click here
to see an article on broadband service.
Broadband Satellite - Satellite and ground
based station system used to deliver high speed internet access to small dish
receivers. Namely used in rural areas.
Broadcast - To transmit a signal.
Browser - A software program that displays
relevant information and allows navigation. The most common browser is an
internet browser which displays web sites and allows navigation of the internet.
There are other types of browsers such as picture and programming browsers.
BSC - Binary Synchronous Communication. An
older IBM synchronous network protocol.
Bubble Memory - Memory that uses
microscopic cells to store data. Data is retained even after the power is
shut off.
Buffer - A term used to describes a
temporary storage area for data. It is stored in this buffer before it can be
processed. Buffering speeds up data processing.
Bug - An error in a software
program or problems caused by a hardware malfunction.
Bus - The parts of the computer
motherboard that transport data from on component to another. Bus can also mean
data highway. Bus is also used to identify a linear shaped LAN (Bus topology).
Busbar - A power distribution source
connected to a main circuit.
Bus Speed - How fast that data transfer
occurs across an electronic circuit.
Button - Objects in a GUI (graphical
user interface) that can be 'clicked' on.
Byte - Unit of information that is
compromised of 8 digits (see bit above)
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