Glossary of Computer Terms
from World Wide Webfx
=============================
B
backbone
The top level in a hierarchical network. Stub networks and transit networks that connect to the same backbone are guaranteed to be interconnected. Backbone networks usually run at a higher speed, and with a larger bandwidth, than the networks that branch off of them.
Return to Index
WWWebfx Home Page
background
On a web page, the color or graphic which is used to fill
in the page behind the text and graphics that make up the page.In HTML a body tag parameter
that defines the background for a document.
Return to Index
WWWebfx Home Page
backup
Making a copy of software and files/documents on another
storage device so that it can be restored if the computer loses that information.
Return to Index
WWWebfx Home Page
bandwidth
Technically; the difference, in Hertz (Hz), between the highest and lowest frequencies of a
transmission channel. However, as typically used, the amount of data, usually measured in bits per second, that can be sent through a given communications circuit.
Return to Index
WWWebfx Home Page
banner
A poular type of advertising found on the WWW consisting of a a graphic (usually banner shaped
which acts as link to the advertiser's home page or other informational site.
Return to Index
WWWebfx Home Page
BBS
See Bulletin Board System.
Return to Index
WWWebfx Home Page
binary
"It's all ones and zeros." Computers store information in the form of oni off electrical impulses,
which correspond to the binary (base 2) digits, 0 and 1. Files can be transferred over the Internet
in either binary or ASCII (text) format. A binary file is one that contains any non-printable
characters, such as compiled programs, graphics files, word-processing and spreadsheet files,
audio files, and so on. See also File Transfer Protocol.
Return to Index
WWWebfx Home Page
bit
Binary digit. A bit is the primary unit of digital data. Written in binary language
as a "1" or a "0". There are eight bits in a byte. There are eight bits in one ASCII
character. See also kilobit, megabit.
Return to Index
WWWebfx Home Page
Bookmark A list of frequently accessed Web sites, which you can create
using Netscape's Add Bookmark function (see also Favorites, Hotlist)
Return to Index
WWWebfx Home Page
baud
a measure of the rate of transmission of a modem, see bps
Return to Index
WWWebfx Home Page
BinHex
an encoding algorithm used on Macintosh computers for binary files
Return to Index
WWWebfx Home Page
binary file
a file that is encoded in a computer natural format. For comparison,
see ASCII file
Return to Index
WWWebfx Home Page
bit
binary digit; a computational quantity that can take on one of two values,
0 or 1
1000 bits=1 Kilobit (Kb)
1000 Kilobits=1 Megabit (Mb)
Return to Index
WWWebfx Home Page
bootp a protocol that assigns an IP address
Return to Index
WWWebfx Home Page
bounce
The return a piece of mail because of an error in its delivery.
Return to Index
WWWebfx Home Page
bounce-o-gram
A message from an automated mailer telling you that mail has bounced.
Return to Index
WWWebfx Home Page
bps
bits per second, see baud
Return to Index
WWWebfx Home Page
browser
An application that displays HTML and other information found on the
Internet. Netscape, Lynx, Internet Explorer, and Mosaic are examples of browsers.This client
software accesses the World Wide Web and Gopher services and lets you drift
from link to link without having to have a purposeful search. Browsers encourage discovery
by serendipity, hence the name.
Return to Index
WWWebfx Home Page
Bulletin Board System (BBS)
A computer (with associated software), that typically provides electronic messaging services,
archives of files, and any other services or activities of interest to the bulletin board system's
operator. Although BBSs were traditionally the domain of hobbyists and accessible only by using
a modem, an increasing number of BBSs are connected directly to the Internet, and many are
currently operated by government, educational, and research institutions. See also e-mail,
Internet, MUD, Usenet.
Return to Index
WWWebfx Home Page
byte
Unit of measurement for computer memory roughly equal to one character
(i.e. the letter "A")
1000 Bytes=1 Kilobyte (K, KB)
1000 Kilobytes=1 Megabyte (MB)
1000 Megabytes=1 Gigabyte (GB)
Return to Index
WWWebfx Home Page
|
Member Of
|
|
IMAGES AND TEXT © 1997 WWWebfx