(1) In technology it is a research comparison process where competing technologies are compared and the product or service is then chosen. Also called technology bake-off.
(2) A gathering where software programmers test their creations against network protocols.
Pillsbury Doughboy mauls techies Welcome, Web fans, to the Word War Smackdown, a battle of old economy vs. new. In this corner sits Pillsbury, the world's 131-year-old sugar-pusher, creator of the Strudelpalooza tour and a white, pudgy brand-man that laughs like a baby. In the other: geeks, pizza-eating, algorithm-loving computer scientists seeking to network the world. At stake: use of the word "bake-off."
Powerline Telecom: Old Wires Breed New Possibilities Someday connecting to the Internet may be just as easy as plugging into the same wall outlet that serves your stereo. Powerline telecom uses existing electric lines to transmit broadband communications in home networking environments and as an alternative access technology to deliver telecom services to homes and businesses.
