B

Backbone: A primary communication path connecting multiple users.

background audio source :An audio source that is not controlled by the operating system, such as a radio, a CD player, or an auxiliary input device. Background audio sources may continue playing in the background when foreground audio sources are active.

background graphics mode

Defines how background colors are mixed with window or screen colors for text and bitmap operations.

backlight

A light source for a backlit display.

backup authority

A trusted application running on a secure computer used as a storage medium.

bandwidth

1. The difference between the highest and lowest frequencies that an analog communications system can pass. For example, a telephone accommodates a bandwidth of 3,000 Hz, which is the difference between the lowest (300 Hz) and highest (3,300 Hz) frequencies it can carry. 2. The data transfer capacity of a digital communications system.

Bandwidth: The information carrying capacity of a communication channel. www.tartoos.com

Band: A range of frequencies between defined upper and lower limits.

Baud: A measure of data transmission speed. At low speeds, baud is equal to the bits transmitted per second (bps). At higher speeds, one baud can represent more than one bit.

baud : A measure of signal changes per second. Often used incorrectly in place of bps (bits per second).

BBS (bulletin board system): An online community run on a host computer that users can dial or log into in order to post messages on public discussion boards, send and receive email, chat with other users, and upload and download files. BBSs are text-based and often related to the specific hobbies or interests of their creators.

Binary code: A coding system made up of numbers expressed in base-2 notation, using only the digits 0 and 1.

Binary: The two digit ("0" and "1") number system that allows your computer to read and process data. If you are downloading any kind of program or image (any non-text file) from a web site, you must receive it in binary format.www.tartoos.com

Bit: The most basic unit of information on a computer. In accordance with binary code, each bit is designated as either a 1 or a 0; all other information stored on the computer is composed of combinations of bits.

BIOS : Basic I/O system. A set of routines that works closely with the hardware to support the transfer of information between elements of the system, such as memory, disks, and the monitor.www.tartoos.com

BIOS Parameter Block (BPB) : Information located inside the boot sector specific to the logical drive information.

Blended learning: Learning events that combine aspects of online and face-to-face instruction.

Blog (Weblog): An extension of the personal Website consisting of regular journal-like entries posted on a Webpage for public viewing. Blogs usually contain links to other Websites along with the thoughts, comments, and personality of the blog's creator.

block device : A device such as a disk drive that moves information in groups of bytes (blocks) rather than one byte at a time.

Bluetooth: A wireless networking technology using radio waves that enables users to send data and voice signals between electronic devices over short distances.

Bookmark: A Webpage link stored in a browser for quick and easy retrieval.

boot sector : First sector on a logical drive that includes code to boot that drive, specific logical drive information, and error messages.

Bps (bits per second): A measurement of data transmission speed in a communications system; the number of bits transmitted or received each second.

Bridge: A device linking two or more sections of a network. www.tartoos.com

BRI : Basic Rate Interface. A consumer grade ISDN line consisting of 2 64K bearer channels and one 16K delta (controller) channel.

Broadband: 1) In layperson's terms, high speed transmission of data. In this use, the specific speed that defines broadband is subjective; the word often implies any speed above what is commonly used at the time. 2) In technical terms, transmission over a network in which more than one signal is carried at a time. Broadband technology can transmit data, audio, and video all at once over long distances. See also narrowband and baseband.

Broadcast: (noun) Television or radio signals designed to reach a mass audience. (Some Websites offer original or redistributed broadcasts--see Webcast.)
(verb) 1) To transmit television or radio signals. 2) To email or fax a message to multiple recipients simultaneously; to transmit information simultaneously to everyone on a network.

broadcast : In general terms, a transmission sent simultaneously to more than one recipient. In Internet terminology, a transmission sent to a single address to be forwarded to many recipients. In practice, Internet broadcasts function only on local networks, because routers do not forward them.

broadcast client : A versatile personal computer that can receive and display broadband digital and analog broadcasts, blending television with new forms of information and entertainment. Broadcast client programming can include television, audio, World Wide Web pages, and computer data content.

broadcast server : A computer that sends broadcast programming across a broadcast channel to broadcast clients. The programming sent can include television, audio, World Wide Web pages, and digital data such as stock prices, multimedia magazines, and computer software.

Browser: A software application that displays World Wide Web pages originally written in the text-based HTML language in a user-friendly graphical format. www.tartoos.com

browser : A client tool for navigating and accessing information on the Internet or an intranet. A browser interprets hypertext markup language (HTML) and displays information on a computer screen. A popular example is Microsoft Internet Explorer.

Business requirements: The conditions an e-learning solution should meet to align with the needs of such stakeholders as the content developer, subject matter expert, learner, manager, and training administrator.

bus :A set of hardwire lines used for data transfer among the components of a computer system.

bus class driver : In Windows 98, a driver that provides an interface between the hardware layer and bus minidrivers.

bus enumerator : A driver is responsible for creating the Windows 98 hardware tree.www.tartoos.com

Byte: A combination of 8 bits.