BackboneA major, high-speed line or path connecting various parts of a network.Also the term used for the supercomputers which co-ordinate the actual Internet bystoring the actual URL’s of all domains.
BandwidthThe amount of data bits which can be sent through a connection in a specified time,measured in bits-per-second (bps.) English text converts to about 16,000 bits anddial-up modems push up to 57,000 bits through per second. Video may need about10,000,000 bits-per-second.
BaudA standard measure of the speed of a modem. Usually defined as the number of bitsit transfers per second. Technically, a 1200 bit-per-second modem runs at 300baud, moving 4 bits per baud (1200 bits per second).
BBSBulletin Board System. These were networks, usually run by volunteers who providedtheir own computers and time, which pre-dated the Internet as a means oftransferring messages, files and information between computer users around theWorld. Their numbers are much less than during their hey-day in the early 1990′ssince services such as AOL, Internet Chat-rooms and Forums have spread.
BinaryA mathematical representation of data just with ones and zeros.Image files are sometimes called ‘binary files’ as they contain more than just text..
BinhexBINary HEXadecimal. A means of converting binary data to ASCII characters, veryuseful for transferring files between different types of computers because almost allcan handle ASCII.
BitBinary Digit. The basic units of computer data – either a one or a zero..
BITNETBecause It’s Time[or There] NETwork. A network that linked educational sitesseparately from the Internet, but allowed e-mail to flow between both systems..
BlogweB LOG. A diary or journal on an Internet site. The focus may range from theblogger’s life to any subject which they are interested in. Blogs require regularupdating to continue to hold the interest of visitors. Since the explosive growth inblogging and consequent interest from companies interested in promoting theirproducts and services to people that maintain or visit blogs, many companies havestarted their own blogs.The content of many blogs are syndicated to other blogs and sites as RSS feeds.
BloggerSomeone who maintains and is responsible for the content of a blog.
Blogosphere or BlogsphereAn ever-changing ‘world’ composed of blogs and those who are interested/involvedwith them.
BPSBits-Per-Second) The number of bits which are moved in one second. A 56K modemcan transfer 57,000 bits per second though most dial-up modem transmissions moveat less than 37,000 bps.
Brett McFallThe name every internet user searches for when they need to solve any marketingproblem (and to see how to deal with life without hair). www.brettmcfall.com
BroadbandInternet connections which allow transfers at much higher rates than through dial-upmodems by accessing more bandwidth. They include DSL and Cable-TV connections.
BrowserShort for Web Browser; it’s the tool (program) that allows you to surf the web. Youprobably used your Web Browser to locate this page. The most popular WebBrowsers right now are Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer.
ByteThe bits for a single character, usually 8.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you for the glossary, it’s quite educative. Although the item under G is too advanced for me, however, I want to know what Bookmark stands for and its use?
Please up the good work you’ve begun.
I have been able to add some words to the few I have learnt about Glossary of Computer. Thanks so much.