
          T E L E C O M M U N I C A T I O N S   T E R M S
          
          
          ARCHIVED FILE: An archived file is a file that has
          been compressed by a special program so that it will use
          less disk space. When you see a .ZIP, .ARC, .ARJ, .LZH,
          .PAK, or .ZOO extension, it indicates that the file is in
          a compressed archived format. 
           
          ASCII: Pronounced ASK-EE. An ASCII file is a file saved
          in a format called ASCII, also called a text file. ASCII
          stands for American Standard Code for Information
          Interchange. ASCII can also be offered as a transfer
          protocol used for sending ASCII files. See description
          below.
           
          ASCII PROTOCOL: ASCII protocol should only be used
          for plain text files and should be avoided when possible
          because it does not offer any error correction.
          
          ASYNCHRONOUS: When signals are sent to a computer at
          random intervals, they are said to be asynchronous. Start
          and stop bits tell where the information begins and ends.
          Synchronous transmition sends data at timed intervals,
          eliminating the need for start and stop bits.
          
          AT COMMAND SET: Hayes compatible modem commands. AT
          commands start with the letters AT. Incidently, the AT
          stands for ATtention!
          
          AUTO ANSWER: The capability of a modem to be set to
          automatically answer incoming calls.
          
          AUTO DIAL: The capability of a modem to automatically
          dial the phone via a telecommunications software program.
          
          AUTOMATIC SPEED SENSING: The capability of a modem
          to automatically determine another modem's speed and
          adjust itself accordingly.
          
          BAUD: The speed at which data can be transmitted
          between two modems. This term comes from J. M. E. Baudot
          (1845-1903) who was a French pioneer in printing
          telegraphy. Bits Per Second (bps) is the usual way BAUD
          is expressed. However, bits per second (bps) and baud are
          not the same. The modem manufacturers and the people who
          sell modems use the term "baud" when they really mean
          "bits per second."
          
          BBS: A Bulletin Board System (BBS) is a computer system
          that is set up with software and a modem(s) to allow
          other computer users with modems to access information on
          the computer.
          
          BINARY FILE: There are two basic kinds of files, ASCII
          and binary. Data that is not plain text (ASCII) is
          binary. For example, a .GIF picture file is not a plain
          text file but a binary file. Each dot in the picture is
          recorded as a 0 or a 1. This is called a bit which stands
          for binary digit. Any file that does not use characters
          must be represented as binary data. If you get on the
          Internet, you may need to choose a file transfer
          type--ASCII or binary. It is wise to choose binary because
          the transfer protocols for binary files will include
          error correction and will transfer all kinds of files,
          including ASCII and binary.
          
          BIT: BIT stands for BInary digiT which is the most basic
          unit of information in the binary numbering system. 
          
          BPS: Bits Per Second. The modem's speed is measured in
          bps.
          
          BLOCK: A group of bytes that are treated as a unit when
          receiving (downloading) or sending (uploading) files.
          Most blocks are 128 or 1024 bytes long.
          
          BYTE: A byte contains eight bits. A byte can store one
          letter or other character. A byte is a unit of measure
          for a computer's memory and also for disk data storage.
          The disks we buy are expressed in how many bytes of
          storage that they will hold. One kilobyte (k) is 1,024
          bytes.
          
          CARRIER: Before a modem sends data, it sends a tone
          called a carrier which has a fixed frequency and
          amplitude.
          
          COM PORTS: These are also called serial ports. A
          connector on the outside of the computer where you can
          plug in mice and modems. IBM-compatible computers can
          have as many as four COM ports. These are designated
          COM1, COM2, COM3, and COM4.
          
          CD-ROM: Compact Disk Read Only Memory. They are optical
          storage devices that can store huge amounts of data.
          These are becoming very popular as the price continues to
          fall.  

          CHAT: To type at your keyboard to someone online and
          have a "conversation."
          
          COMPRESSED FILES: A compressed file is a file that
          has been compressed by a special program so that it will
          use less disk space. When you see a .ZIP, .ARC, .ARJ,
          .LZH, .PAK, or .ZOO extension, it indicates that the file
          is in a compressed archived format. 
          
          CRC: Cyclic Redundancy Check. Used to determine if an
          error in data transmission has occurred.
          
          DATA BIT: BIT stands for BInary digiT and is the
          smallest unit of information. A bit is either represented
          by a zero or a one. A computer word that actually holds
          the information is called a byte.
          
          DATA BYTE: The number of bits used to represent one
          byte in telecommunications. This number is usually 7 or
          8. Most BBSs require you to use 8 bits. Many commercial
          online services such as CompuServe require you to use 7
          bits. You use software to change this setting. You need
          to match your system to the host system that you are
          calling. 
           
          DEDICATED LINE: A phone line that is only used for
          the computer.
          
          DIP SWITCH: DIP is an acronym for Dual Inline Package.
          These are tiny switches that you can set using a pointed
          object such as a top to a ball point pen. 
          
          DOWNLOAD: To receive a file from a computer or online
          service.
          
          DOOR: A gateway to allow a user to run a program while
          online. Many BBSs have DOORS to play online games, etc.
          
          DUPLEX: This term refers to how the characters appear
          on your screen. With full-duplex both parties can
          communicate simultaneously. With half-duplex only one
          modem at a time can transmit. 
          
          ECHO: Characters that appear on your screen from your
          computer. See DUPLEX above.
          
          E-MAIL: Electronic mail. You can receive or send e-mail
          on a BBS or online service. You can type it in from your
          keyboard or prepare it in advance using a program that
          can save a file in ASCII format.
          
          EXTERNAL PROTOCOL: An external protocol is a
          protcol (software) which can be added to you modem
          software. See PROTOCOL below.
          
          FILE: A collection of information that is stored on a
          disk as a single unit and has a file name.
          
          FLAME: A nasty and personal attack on somebody online.
          A person who does this sort of thing is called a FLAMER.
          Such attacks can lead to FLAME WARS.
          
          FLOW CONTROL: The way modems tell each other to stop
          sending or restart sending data. There are two types of
          flow control. The first is software flow control known as
          XON/XOFF. The second type of flow control is hardware
          flow control RTSCTS.
          
          FOSSIL DRIVER: FOSSIL is an acronymn for Fido/Opus/
          SEAdog Standard Interface Layer. A FOSSIL driver is
          software that replaces your computer's internal BIOS
          routines for the serial port driver. Such a FOSSIL driver
          may provide a faster means of accessing the serial port.
          BBS doors and external file protocols sometimes require
          fossil drivers. 
          
          FREEWARE: This is a program that is similar to public
          domain software, except that it is copyrighted. A
          freeware program has copyright restrictions; however, the
          author is not requesting a registration fee. Also, see
          SHAREWARE and PUBLIC DOMAIN SOFTWARE. 
          
          FTP: File Transfer Protocol. A protocol system used to
          transfer files on the Internet
          
          HAYES-COMPATIBLE: If your modem is Hayes-compatible,
          then it will accept a set of commands like those used by
          modems made by Hayes Microcomputer Products, Inc..
          
          HOST: This is the computer that you are calling (the
          one to which you are connected). This can be another
          computer, a BBS, or a commercial online service. 
          
          HS/LINK: This is a high speed bi-directional file
          transfer protocol. It sports all kinds of goodies like:
          32 bit CRC protection, batch file transfers, and aborted
          file crash recovery. HS/LINK uses Full-Streaming-Error-
          Correction and can send and receive data in both
          directions at once. This means you can upload and
          download at the same time. It also works great for just
          sending or receiving files in one direction. HS/LINK will
          even allow you to enter into CHAT mode while sending and
          receiving files. HS/LINK is a shareware program and can
          be used as an external protocol with most
          telecommunications programs. 
          
          IRQ: Interrupt ReQuest. Physical connections between
          hardware devices and interrupt controllers. You need to
          configure expansion boards so each has its own IRQ
          address. You can run into trouble if two (or more)
          expansion boards are assigned the same IRQ. To avoid
          trouble, read the documentation that comes with each
          board. If you have Windows 3.1 or DOS 6.0 or higher, run
          the MSD (Microsoft Diagnostic Utility) program.
          
          KERMIT: A data transfer protocol that can be used to
          send files between computers. It was developed at
          Columbia University. KERMIT can be very slow and was
          named after the frog with the same name. KERMIT is even
          slower than XMODEM. You would be well advised to avoid
          this toad.
          
          KILL: To delete a file or message.
          
          LOGON: To enter your user ID and password so you can
          gain access to a BBS or online service.
          
          LOG OFF: To enter the commands to get off a BBS or
          online service.
          
          MAIN MENU: The starting menu that allows access to
          almost everything on the BBS or online service.
          
          MNP: Microcom Networking Protocol. A hardware error
          correction protocol for transferring data (levels 1-4).
          However, MNP 5 is a data compression protocol which
          includes MNP error correction.
          
          MODEM: Modem is an acronym for MOdulator-DEModulator.
          A modem is a device that allows a computer to communicate
          and transfer files with other computers over a telephone
          line. 
          
          NEWBIE: Someone who is new to computers or is new to
          the Internet.
          
          NRAM: Non-volatile RAM. A modem with NRAM can store
          information even when the power to the modem is off.
          
          NULL MODEM CABLE: A modem-eliminator adapter used
          to connect two computers for telecommunications. You can
          purchase these at Radio Shack or your favorite super
          computer store.
          
          OFF-LINE: When your computer is not connected to
          another computer via a modem.
          
          ONLINE: Being connected to another computer via a
          modem.
          
          PAGING: To issue a command that rings the SYSOP's
          computer speaker indicating that someone wants to talk to
          him. See CHAT above.
          
          PARITY BIT: This is the eighth bit of a character which
          has a value set to 0 or 1. Both computers must use the
          same parity bit to communicate. 
          
          PASSWORD: A secret word that you type in to obtain
          access to a BBS or online service.
          
          PROTOCOL: A set of rules which govern the transfer of
          data in telecommunications. These rules define error
          control, line control, start up control, and other
          communication problems.
          
          PUBLIC DOMAIN SOFTWARE: Software that is not
          copyrighted and can be freely distributed without
          restrictions.
          
          RS-232: A serial port. You plug mice and modems and other
          goodies into serial ports.
          
          ROUND TABLE: A multi-user conference or forum.
          
          SCREEN CAPTURE: This should be a feature of your
          telecommunications software. With screen capture turned
          on, your telecommunications software saves whatever
          scrolls across your screen to a text file. A screen
          capture text file is often called a capture log file.
          
          SCRIPT: A collection of commands, instructions, or text
          that can be executed by your telecommunications program.
          
          SELF-EXTRACTING FILE: A self-extracting file is a
          compressed file. The file contains a file or group of
          files that has been compressed to save space. When a
          self-extracting file is run, other files pop out (emerge)
          from it. These are often found on BBSs (Bulletin Board
          Systems) and in shareware. It is best to copy self-
          extracting files to the hard drive where they will have
          plenty of room to expand. 
          
          SHAREWARE: Shareware is a method of marketing
          software for the program's author. Shareware programs are
          copyrighted. The manuals for these programs are usually
          found on the disk in the form of a text file. You can
          print the manuals using your printer. You can obtain
          these programs for trial use from shareware distributors
          for a copying fee of just a few dollars per disk.
          Shareware programs require a separate payment to the
          author if found useful. Shareware is a wonderful deal for
          the consumer, because you get to "Try before you buy."
          There are many great programs that are distributed as
          shareware.
          
          SNAIL MAIL: Mail that is delivered to a box mounted on
          a post outside a house, business, or apartment.
          
          START/STOP BITS: In telecommunications, start/stop
          bits signal the beginning and the end of the 7 or 8 bit
          data character.
          
          SYSOP: An acronym for SYStem OPerator. The person who
          runs and operates a BBS computer.
          
          TELNET: Telnet is software that allows you to directly
          connect to other computers on the Internet. If your
          Internet access provider offers full Internet access, he
          will offer Telnet. 
          
          THROUGHPUT: By using data compression, a modem can
          achieve a greater rate of useful data bits sent than its
          rated speed. This is referred to as the modem's
          throughput.
          
          UART: Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter.
          These are chips that will facilitate synchronous and
          asynchronous serial communications.
          
          UPLOAD: To send a file to another computer using a
          modem.
          
          V.14: A standard in data conversion used in all V.32 and
          V.32 bis modems that conform to the CCITT
          recommendations. CCITT stands for Consultive Committee on
          International Telegraphy and Telephony.
          
          *Note that the acronym CCITT is used repeatedly below. To
          reiterate, it means Consultive Committee on International
          Telegraphy and Telephony. 
          
          V.17: The CCITT standard that specifies fax transmission
          and reception at 14,400 bps.
           
          V.21: The CCITT standard that specifies modem
          transmission at 300 bps.
          
          V.22: The CCITT standard that specifies modem
          transmission at 1200 bps with a fallback rate of 600 bps.
          
          V.22 bis: The CCITT standard that specifies modem
          transmission at 2400 bps.
          
          V.32: The CCITT standard that specifies modem
          transmission at 9600 bps with a fallback rate of 4800
          bps.
          
          V.32 bis: The CCITT standard that specifes modem
          transmission at 14,400 bps with a fallback rate of 12,000
          and 7200 bps.
          
          V.32 terbo: An unofficial standard that specifies modem
          transmission at 19,200 bps with a fallback rate of 16,800
          and also the rates supported by V.32 and V.32 bis.
          
          V.34: A CCITT standard that specifies modem transmission
          at 28,800 bps with many fallback rates.
          
          V.42: A CCITT error correction protocol which includes
          MNP 1-4 and supports LAPM error correction.
          
          V.42 bis: A CCITT standard for data compression. A modem
          equipped with V.42 bis also includes V.42 error
          correction and MNP-5 data compression. You will find that
          almost all new modems being sold today comply with V.42
          bis CCITT standards. You will want to look for this
          feature when purchasing a modem.
          
          V.FAST: An unofficial standard that specifies modem
          transmission at 28,800 bps with fallback rates. This is
          also known as the V.FC.  
          
          X.400: A CCITT standard for global e-mail.
          
          X.500: A CCITT standard for keeping track of people who
          use the X.400 system.
          
          XMODEM : A file transfer protocol developed by Ward
          Christensen in 1978, and it is still popular today (but
          slow). It uses a built-in error checking technique
          (checksum) to insure that data is being sent without
          errors. The file being sent is transfered in a series of
          128-byte blocks. XMODEM CRC is another version of XMODEM
          with a somewhat more reliable error correction scheme.
          XMODEM-1K is another variation of XMODEM with built-in
          checksum error checking. XMODEM-1K sends a file in a
          series of 1024-byte blocks, so it is much faster than
          XMODEM. 
          
          YMODEM: A file transfer protocol that uses 1024-byte
          blocks to send files. It is faster that XMODEM and uses
          a similar check-sum error-correcting scheme. On a noisy
          line YMODEM can give poor results. Another varient is
          YMODEM-Batch. YMODEM-Batch allows you to send serveral
          files in a row. Another version is called YMODEM-G. With
          YMODEM-G there is no error correction, so both modems
          rely on the internal error correction of the modems
          (V.42). On a good line this can be one of the very
          fastest protcols for transfering files. However, ZMODEM
          is much more reliable and is the transfer protocol that
          this writer recommends.
          
          ZIPPED FILE: A compressed file that contains a file or
          a collection of files. A zipped file has an extension of
          .ZIP. You need the latest shareware version of a program
          called PKUNZIP.EXE to unzip a zipped file. At this
          writing, the latest version is PKZ204G.
          
          ZMODEM: The Zmodem protocol has become the industry
          standard for file transfer. You will want this feature in
          your telecommunications software. Zmodem is fast, has
          excellent error checking, and can even resume an
          interrupted file transfer if you select this option on
          your communications software. This ability is sometimes
          referred to as "crash recovery."

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