narrowcast
To send data to a specific list of recipients. Cable television is an example of narrowcasting since the cable TV signals are sent only to homes that have subscribed to the cable service. In contrast, network TV uses a broadcast model in which the signals are transmitted everywhere and anyone with an antenna can receive them.
The Internet uses both a broadcast and a narrowcast model. Most Web sites use a broadcast model since anyone with Internet access can view the sites. However, sites that require you to log-in before viewing content are based more on the narrowcast model. The various push technologies are another form for narrowcasting. Perhaps the best example of narrowcasting are e-mail lists where messages are sent only to individuals who subscribe to the list.
The terms multicast and narrowcast are often used interchangeably, although narrowcast usually refers to the business model whereas multicast refers to the actual technology used to transmit the data.
Read Also:
- native
Referring to an original form. For example, many applications can work with files in a variety of formats, but an application’s native file format is the one it uses internally. For all other formats, the application must first convert the file to its native format.
- native code
Also referred to as native language, programming code that is written to run on a specific processor using that processor��s instruction set. In order for that program to run on a different processor than the one intended by the native code, the code must be run through an emulator software program that instructs the computer […]
- natural language
A human language. For example, English, French, and Chinese are natural languages. Computer languages, such as FORTRAN and C, are not. Probably the single most challenging problem in computer science is to develop computers that can understand natural languages. So far, the complete solution to this problem has proved elusive, although a great deal of […]
- natural search
In search engines a natural search is one where results are returned based on the natural indexing of the Web site, as opposed to those that are returned based on paid advertising and editorial changes made by the search engine itself. The field of SEO is largely based on making a Web site appear more […]
- near-line storage
Near-line storage is used by corporations, including data warehouses, as an inexpensive, scalable way to store large volumes of data. Near-line storage devices include DAT and DLT tapes (sequential access), optical storage such as CD-ROM, DVD and Blu-ray, Magneto-Optical which utilize magnetic heads with an optical reader, and standard also slower P-ATA and SATA hard […]