Absurd quiz, 09/27/99

Network World Fusion, 09/27/99

So, you think youíre a power geek. Well, we at Network World challenge you to prove it. Here's a quick quiz designed to separate the buzzed from the buzz-less. All of the following network terms are absurd, but which ones are outright bogus and which are real absurdities developed and used by your co-patriots? Those who score highest will be entered in a drawing to receive an Absurd prize.

1. DEMUX (demultiplexer)
Takes a single signal and reproduces it so that it may be transmitted by multiple systems.

Real
Bogus

2. GAS (gateway accelerator system)
A device, usually external, that boosts the speed and performance of a network gateway. Real
Bogus

MUD (Multi User Dungeon)
An Internet game where users assume identities (often, for some reason, pseudo-medieval) and play pretend. Real
Bogus

4. UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter)
A chip that converts a byte of data into a standardized series of electronic impulses. Real
Bogus

5. NSANE (Nanosecond Scaleable Advanced NDIS Emulator)
Next-generation NIC specification for faster performance, support of multiple NICs and backwards-compatibility. Real
Bogus

6. RML (Retail Markup Language)
A series of XML-like tags that allows e-commerce applications to easily change pricing across an entire site. Real
Bogus

7. JIGL (Java Interface Generation Language)
A metalanguage for creating graphical user interfaces in Java. Real
Bogus

8. CablUI (pronounced Kablooie)
A graphical Web user interface optimized for high-bandwidth cable modem access. Real
Bogus

9. TIES (Telecom Information Exchange Services)
A specific network for exchanging telecom-related information. Real
Bogus

10. PAN (Personal Area Networks)
Body-to-body networks in which a palm-sized device uses the natural electrical conductivity of the human body to transmit data. Real
Bogus

11. JBOT (Just a Bunch Of Tapes)
'cause we can't just call them tapes, but have to have an acronym for it, just like we can't call phone lines, phone lines, but have to call them POTs. Real
Bogus

12. SNIP (Storage Networking Interoperable Partition)
An emerging standard that allows a SAN to logically partition the same physical disk subsystem several ways. This optimizes the storage system for multiple applications. Real
Bogus

13. Bang Path
A series of machine names that routes e-mail from one user to another. Real
Bogus

14. Ankle Biter
A wannabe hacker but without the skills to earn the respect of the truly criminal geek. Real
Bogus

15. Cheese-lips
A law-enforcement professional who infiltrates a hacker's BBS (refers to too much "cyber smiling" or politeness). Real
Bogus

16. PET (Priority Encoding Transmissions)
A specification that provides fault tolerant transmission of prioritized data over packet switched networks real. Real
Bogus

17. In2UCom
A device that can be worn or, in some cases, implanted in the human body that transmits data to other such-equipped people. Considered to be the next-generation cellular phone. Real
Bogus

18. HuMPF (Hub Management Packet Filter)
A product feature that homogenizes conflicting performance management commands. Real
Bogus

19. SALT (Special Access Line Telephone)
A handset used by CLECs to monitor SAL transmissions. Real
Bogus

20. Dog
Slang for a FidoNet user. Real
Bogus

Name (if you want to enter the drawing):

E-mail address (ditto):

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