Byte. One character of information, usually eight bits wide.

Backbone
Network used to interconnect several networks together.

Backup file
In Windows 95, a compressed version of the original file and its locations created by Backup.

Bandwidth
The capacity of the transmission medium stated in bits per second or as a frequency. The bandwidth of optical fiber is in the gigabit or billion bits per second range, while ethernet coaxial cable is in the megabit or million bits per second range.

Baseband System
A baseband system transmits signals without converting them to another frequency and is characterized by its support of one frequency of signals. Ethernet-based networks inside campus buildings are transmitted via baseband coaxial cable, with ethernet being the only service supported by the coaxial cable.

BAT
Filename extension for a batch file.

Batch Scanning
Sequential scanning of multiple originals using previously defined, unique settings for each.

Baud
A unit of measurement that denotes the number of bits that can be transmitted per second. For example, if a modem is rated at 9600 baud it is capable of transmitting data at a rate of 9600 bits per second. The term was derived from the name of J.M.E. Baudot, a French pioneer in the field of printing telegraphy.

BBS
Bulletin Board Service. A non commercial dial-up service usually run by a user group or software company. By dialing up a BBS with your modem, you can exchange messages with other users, and upload or download software.

BGI
Binary Gateway Interface. Provides a method of running a program from a Web server. Similar to a Common Gateway Interface (CGI). The BGI uses a binary DLL which is loaded into memory when the server starts. While more efficient han a CGI, the BGI must be compiled and is not easily portable to other environments.

Bilevel
A type of image containing only black and white pixels.

Binary
A numbering system with only two values: 0 (zero) and 1 (one).

Binary File
A file that contains more than plain text (i.e., photos, sounds, spreadsheet, etc.) In contrast to an ASCII file which only contains plain text.

Binary Number System
A counting system used in computers consisting of only 1's and 0's (zeros).

BinHex
A file conversion format that converts binary files to ASCII test files.

BIOS
Basic Input-Output System. Part of the computer's operating system that is built into the machine, rather than read from a disk drive at startup.

bit
A unit of measurement that represents one figure or character of data. A bit is the smallest unit of storage in a computer. Since computers actually read 0s and 1s, each is measured as a bit. The letter A consists of 8 bits which amounts to one byte. Bits are often used to measure the capability of a microprocessor to process data, such as 16-bit or 32-bit.

Bit Depth
The number of bits used to represent each pixel in an image, determining its color or tonal range.

Bit-map
Generally used to describe an illustration or font file as being created by a predefined number of pixels. Also see Object-oriented.

BITNET
An academic computer network that provides interactive electronic mail and file transfer services, using a store-and-forward protocol, based on IBM Network Job Entry protocols. BITNET-II encapsulates the BITNET protocol within IP packets and depends on the Internet to route them. There are three main constituents of the network: BITNET in the United States and Mexico, NETNORTH in Canada, and EARN in Europe. There are also AsiaNet, in Japan, and connections in South America. See CREN.

Black Point
A movable reference point that defines the darkest area in an image, causing all other areas to be adjusted accordingly.

Booting
Starting up a computer via the power switch, which loads the system software into memory. Restarting the computer via a keystroke combination is called rebooting or a warm boot.

Bridge
A dedicated computer used to connect two different networks. It uses data link layer address (i.e., ethernet physical addresses) to determine if packets should be passed between the networks.

Broadband System
A broadband system is capable of transmitting many different signals at the same time without interfering with one another. For local area networks, a broadband system is one that handles multiple channels of local area network signals distributed over Cable Television (CATV) hardware.

Broadcast
A packet whose special address results in its being heard by all hosts on a computer network.

Browser
A program that enables you to access information on the Internet through the World Wide Web.

bps
Bits Per Second is the unit used for measuring line speed, the number of information units transmitted per second.

BSD
Berkeley Software Distribution. Implementation of the UNIX operating system and its utilities developed and distributed by the University of California at Berkeley. BSD is usually preceded by the version number of the distribution, e.g., 4.3 BSD is version 4.3 of the Berkeley UNIX distribution. Many Internet hosts run BSD software, and it is the ancestor of many commercial UNIX implementations.

Bug
A mistake, or unexpected occurrence, in a piece of software or in a piece of hardware.

Byte
The amount of memory needed to store one character such as a letter or a number. Equal to 8 bits of digital information. The standard measurement unit of a file size.