TECHNOLOGY 

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KembaraXtra-Computer Terms – beta:


Beta refers to the stage of development in which software or hardware is almost complete and is ready to be tested outside the development environment. At this stage, the product usually includes most of the intended features and functions but may still contain errors or unfinished elements that require further refinement.


Beta versions are distributed to selected users so that developers can observe how the product performs in real-world conditions. Feedback gathered during this stage helps identify bugs, usability issues, and performance problems before the final version of the product is released to the public.

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KembaraXtra-Computer Terms – bezel:


A bezel in arcade gaming refers to the protective glass or frame that surrounds the display screen of the machine. This glass panel is positioned in front of the monitor and serves both as a protective covering and as part of the visual presentation of the arcade cabinet.


The bezel is often decorated with artwork or graphics that relate to the theme or branding of the game. These designs are typically silk-screened onto the glass surface and contribute to the overall appearance and identity of the arcade machine, helping attract players and enhance the gaming experience.

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KembaraXtra-Computer Terms – Bézier curve:


A Bézier curve is a mathematically defined curve used in computer graphics, illustration software, and computer-aided design to create smooth and flexible shapes. It is generated by connecting control points that guide the direction and curvature of the line. By adjusting these control points, designers can easily manipulate the shape of the curve.


One of the main advantages of Bézier curves is that complex shapes can be created using only a small number of control points. This efficiency makes them extremely useful in graphic design, animation, and modeling applications, where smooth curves and surfaces must be represented accurately and efficiently.

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KembaraXtra-Computer Terms – bias:


Bias refers to a consistent deviation from a reference point or expected value. In general contexts, it describes a systematic difference between an observed value and the value that would be considered correct or neutral. Such deviations may arise from measurement methods, system characteristics, or external influences.


In electronics, bias refers to a voltage applied to a component such as a transistor to establish a stable operating point. In communications, bias can also refer to distortion in transmitted signals caused by delays as voltage levels change during signal transitions. In statistical contexts, the term may describe how the average of a group of measurements differs from a reference value.
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KembaraXtra-Computer Terms – bidirectional:


Bidirectional describes a system or device capable of operating in two directions. In computing and electronics, this means that signals, data, or operations can move or occur in either direction between components or devices.


For example, a bidirectional printer may print lines of text both from left to right and from right to left, improving efficiency. Similarly, a bidirectional communication bus allows data to travel both ways between connected devices, enabling faster and more flexible data exchange.

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​KembaraXtra-Computer Terms – bidirectional parallel port:


A bidirectional parallel port is a computer interface that allows data to flow in both directions between a computer and a connected peripheral device. Unlike earlier parallel ports that supported only one-way communication, this interface allows devices to both send and receive data.


This capability is particularly useful for devices such as printers or scanners that need to transmit status information or receive instructions from the computer while also sending data back to the system. Bidirectional communication improves device interaction and enables more advanced peripheral functionality.
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KembaraXtra-Computer Terms – bidirectional printing:


Bidirectional printing is a feature of certain printers that allows printing to occur in both directions across the page. Instead of printing only while moving in one direction and then returning the print head to the starting position, the printer produces text or images while moving both forward and backward.


This method increases printing speed because it eliminates the time normally required for the print head to reposition itself before starting a new line. However, in some cases, slight alignment differences between directions may affect print quality, although modern printers usually minimize this effect.

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KembaraXtra-Computer Terms – bi-endian:


Bi-endian describes processors or computing systems that can operate using either big-endian or little-endian data storage formats. These formats determine the order in which bytes of multi-byte data values are stored in memory. A bi-endian processor can switch between the two formats depending on the requirements of the operating system or software environment.


This flexibility allows the same processor architecture to support multiple operating systems that may rely on different byte-order conventions. For example, certain processors can run systems that use little-endian storage formats as well as those that use big-endian formats, making them adaptable across different computing platforms.
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KembaraXtra-Computer Terms – BIFF:


BIFF stands for Binary Interchange File Format and is the native file format used by spreadsheet software such as Microsoft Excel. It stores spreadsheet data in a structured binary format that represents worksheets, formulas, formatting information, and other spreadsheet elements.


Because BIFF is a binary format, it is optimized for efficient storage and processing by spreadsheet applications. The format allows complex spreadsheet structures to be saved and reopened quickly while preserving formulas, cell formatting, and other important data components.

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KembaraXtra-Computer Terms – biff:


Biff refers to a utility program originally developed in BSD-based operating systems that notifies users when new electronic mail arrives. When enabled, the program monitors incoming messages and signals the user whenever new mail is received.


The program was reportedly named after a graduate student’s dog at the University of California that barked whenever the mail carrier arrived. The name humorously reflects the utility’s function of alerting users to the arrival of new mail.

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