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## [19.0] - Glossary

    Alias:
            Nickname that a user is known as. The use of aliases is common on
            BBSes. Synchronet allows the sysop to disallow the use of them, forcing
            all users to be known by their real names only, if desired.

    ANSI:
            American National Standards Institute. References made to ANSI are
    	actually referring to the ANSI X3.64 terminal definition and the
    	related escape sequences used to change cursor positioning and text
    	attributes.

    Archive:
            A file that contains multiple (possibly compressed) files, that can
            be expanded. Archived files usually have a specific extension that
            specifies what type of archive utility was used to create it.
    	The most popular archive utilities are PKZIP (.ZIP files),
    	LHARC (.LZH), and ARJ (.ARJ files).

    ASCII:
            American Standard Code of Information Interchange. A 7 bit binary code
            used to represent letters, numbers, symbols, and control codes.
            Supported by almost every computer and terminal manufacturer.
            See Extended ASCII.

    Baja:
    	Baja (pronounced bä'hä) is a tool used to create command shells and
    	modules (exec/*.bin files) for the Telnet/RLogin experience of Synchronet
    	BBS software. Baja source files have a .src filename suffix.

    	Baja is also the name of the programming language used to create or modify
    	the contents of Baja source (.src) files.

    	See baja.html for more details.

    Baud:
    	An obsolete term defining the number of signal-level changes per
    	second. The CCITT now prefers to use "symbols per second". For example
    	a V.22bis connection transfers only 600 symbols per second, but in this
    	protocol each symbol can represent up to four values; thus, you have an
    	effective transmission rate of 2,400 bps. V.32 is a 2,400
    	symbol-per-second (9,600-bps) modulation protocol.

    BBS:
            Bulletin Board System. A system configured to accept user logins via
     	modem or network to access public and private messages. Many BBSes also
            incorporate file transfers (the uploading and downloading of program
            and data files), information services, online entertainment, and more.
    	On a multinode BBS, all nodes must use the same live database for
    	users, messages, and file transfers. Plural: BBSes.

    BinkD:
    	BinkD (Binkley Daemon) is a FLO-style FidoNet mailer that uses the BinkP
    	protocol (FSP-1011) to transfer files over the Internet.

    BinkP:
    	BinkP (BinkD Protocol) is a TCP/IP protocol (described in FSP-1018) for
    	transferring files between FidoNet mailers over the Internet (on TCP port
    	port 24554). This protocol was created for BinkD and is also supported by
    	such mailers as Argus, Radius, Taurus, BForce, Internet Rex, and BeeMail.

    BPS:
            Bits Per Second or Bit Rate. The rate of data transmitted between
            modems. For every byte of data (8 bits), a start and stop bit are added
    	for a total of ten bits per data byte.

    Chat:
    	Online real-time communication between users either in line by line
    	(multinode chat) or key by key (private chat). Also IRC.

    COM Port:
            RS-232 communications port on an IBM PC compatible computer through
            which digital signals are exchanged between it and the modem (or other
    	peripheral). The interface is either a 25 or 9 pin male connector.

    Command Line:
            The complete syntax used for the execution of a program. This includes
            the program path and name to execute and any parameters that may be
    	required by the program for proper execution. Command lines configured
    	in SCFG can use special command line specifiers for variable parameter
    	replacement. See Appendix A for more information.

    Compression:
            See Archive.

    Conference Mail:
    	See EchoMail.

    Co-sysop:
            BBS user with additional privileges to enable partial system
            maintenance. Co-sysops on a Synchronet system would usually have
    	a security level in the range 80-89 and have an exemption flag for each
    	sysop function he is given rights to.

    CR:
    	Carriage Return. This character represents the end of a line of text
    	and is usually initiated with the ENTER key on most keyboards.

    CrashMail:
    	Referring to FidoNet NetMail being sent immediately and directly (not
    	routed) to the BBS or network address of the destination person.
    	A more accurate term would be Crash NetMail, or NetMail with Crash
    	status.

    Decompression:
            See Extraction.

    Directory:
            A section within a file library that contains files for uploading or
            downloading. Also known as a file area.

    Download:
            Transferring a file from a BBS or other host system to a remote
            (client) system.

    Doors:
    	See External Programs.

    DCE:
            Data Communications Equipment. Dial-up modems that establish and
            control the data link via the telephone network.

    DCE Rate:
            The data transfer rate between two modems.

    DTE:
            Data Terminal Equipment. The device that generates or is the final
            destination of data - the computer.

    DTE Rate:
            The data transfer rate between the computer and the modem.

    Echo:
    	The term "Echo" or "Echo Conference" is often used to refer to a
    	sub-board where messages are distributed across a message network. The
    	term actually comes from FidoNet EchoMail - the technology used to
    	distribute sub-board messages across FidoNet.

    EchoMail (Conference Mail):
    	Sub-board messages echoed across FidoNet in compressed packets.

    EchoMail Program ("Tosser"):
            EchoMail programs packetize FidoNet EchoMail (and sometimes NetMail)
    	messages and archive the packets into bundles which are transferred
    	with a FidoNet mailer. SBBSecho, TosScan, Squish, GEcho, and FreeMail
    	are examples of EchoMail programs.

    E-mail or Electronic Mail:
            Private multiple line messages between users that are stored on a BBS
            until the receiver deletes them.

    	Network E-mail (NetMail) is e-mail that is sent between systems on a
    	network.

    	Internet E-mail is a form of NetMail that is sent to the recipient's
    	Internet Mail Server using the SMTP protocol.

    Escape Sequence:
            A sequence of characters usually preceded by a control code to perform
            attribute changes and cursor positioning on a terminal.
            See ANSI.

    Exemptions:
            Extended privileges given to users to circumvent access limitations or
            provide access to certain sysop functions.
    	See User Edit for more information.

    External Programs:
            Programs (binary executables or scripts) that the BBS executes for added
            functionality. External programs are used for archive manipulation,
            file transfers, games, databases, text editors, virus scanning,
            backups, and more. Often referred to as "doors" or "chains".

    Extraction:
            The splitting (and possible decompression) of an archived file into
            the original set of multiple files.
            See Archive.

    FidoNet:
    	Long-standing global message network for BBS operators (sysops) and users.

    File Transfer Protocol:
            See Transfer Protocol.

    Finger:
    	Internet service that provides information about the users on a particular
    	computer (on TCP port 79).

    Flag:
    	Security Flag: one of 26 possible switches labeled A through Z. Flags are
    	used to represent specific sysop-defined security access (privileges or
    	restrictions) for a user. See User Edit for more information.

    FOSSIL:
    	Fido/Opus/Seadog Serial Interface Layer. A specification for x86-compatible
    	computers to use an x86 interrupt (14h) interface for serial communications.

    	A FOSSIL driver is a device driver that provides an int14h interface for
    	applications (typically, 16-bit DOS doors) to use to communicate with the
    	remote user.

    	Synchronet for Windows includes FOSSIL drivers for Win9x and NT-based
    	operating systems (no extra configuration required).

    	Traditional DOS FOSSIL drivers (e.g. BNU, ADF) are not needed when using
    	Synchronet for Windows.

    Front-end Mailer:
            An EMSI-compatible FidoNet message front-end. FrontDoor, SEAdog,
            Binkley, and D'bridge are examples of front-end mailers.

    	Modern TCP/IP FidoNet mailers (e.g. BinkD, Argus, Internet Rex) run
    	concurrently with the BBS, so they are not ront-end mailers.

    FTP:
    	A TCP/IP protocol for accessing and transferring files between systems
    	(on TCP port 21).

    Gopher:
    	An Internet server document browsing and searching system, a precursor
    	to HTTP, that lets you search and retrieve texts on the Internet
    	(on TCP port 70).

    Group or Message Group:
            A group of message sub-boards with a similar subject matter.

    Hardware Flow Control:
            The modem's use of the CTS (Clear to Send) line to control the flow of
            data to from the computer to the modem.

    HTTP:
    	Hyper Text Transfer Protocol. HTTP is the actual TCP-based protocol that
    	enables Web browsing (on TCP port 80).

    Internet:
    	A network of computer networks which operates world-wide using a common
    	set of communications protocols.

    IP:
    	Internet Protocol. The lowest-level protocol in the Internet TCP/IP
    	protocol suite.

    IP Address:
    	Internet Protocol Address. An IP Address is a 32-bit (4 byte) number,
    	represented in dotted-decimal notation (e.g. 123.45.67.89).

    IRC:
    	Internet Relay Chat. A TCP/IP protocol used for distributed, multi-server,
    	multi-channel communication ("chat") between Internet clients.

    LAN or Local Area Network:
            A group of personal computers connected in a local environment for the
            purpose of sharing data, applications, and peripherals.

    Level or Security Level:
            A decimal value in the range of 0 to 99 that determines a user's
    	security level on Synchronet BBS. A user's level determines how long
            he can stay online per call, total time per day, total logons a day,
            maximum number of lines per message, which Message Groups, Sub-boards,
    	External Programs, General Text File Sections, Transfer Libraries, and
            Directories the user can access.

    Library or Lib:
            A group of transfer directories with a similar subject matter.

    Login:
    	The act of connecting to a service and exchanging user credentials
    	(e.g. user name and password) to obtain access.

    Logon:
            The act of entering a BBS system through a valid user account. In
    	Synchronet, a logon follows a login (the initial connection and exchange
    	of user credentials).

    Message:
            File stored on the system created by a user that may contain ASCII text,
            color/attribute codes (e.g. Ctrl-A codes), and ANSI escape sequences.
    	Messages are either public (posted on a sub-board) or private (E-mail
    	sent to a single user).

    Message Network:
    	Two or more BBSes sharing public message sub-boards (Aka Echoes or
    	conferences) where messages posted on one BBS get distributed to the other
    	BBSes on the network. There are many different network technologies used
    	for the distribution of networked messages. Synchronet supports the most
    	popular technologies; QWK, FidoNet, and PostLink.

    Multinode:
            System that operates with multiple simultaneous access paths to the
            same database of messages and other resources.

    Multitask:
            The act of performing multiple tasks seemingly simultaneously.

    Modem:
            A device that transmits/receives computer data through a communications
            channel such as radio or telephone lines. Modems modulate, or
            transform, digital signals from a computer into an analog form that can
            be carried successfully on a phone line. Modems also demodulate signals
            received from the phone link back to digital signals before passing
            them to the receiving computer.

    NetMail:
    	A personal message sent to a specific person on a specific BBS or at
    	a specific network address through a message network. Most commonly
    	used in reference to FidoNet NetMail. QWK Netmail and Internet E-mail
    	are other forms of NetMail.

    Network:
            Connection of two or more computers to facilitate the sharing of
    	resources. See LAN and Message Network.

    NNTP:
    	The protocol used by client and server software to carry USENET postings
    	back and forth over a TCP/IP network (e.g. the Internet).

    NUP or New User Password:
            A password that the sysop has determined as a requirement before a
            new user can apply for access.

    Online:
            The state of a user when he is currently using a BBS.

    Offline:
            The state of a BBS or BBS Node when it is not able to receive users
            and the state of a user when he is not currently using the BBS.

    POP3:
    	Post Office Protocol version 3. A TCP/IP protocol used by Internet
    	e-mail clients to check and download mail from a TCP/IP mail server
    	(on TCP port 110).

    Post:
    	The act of a user writing and saving a message in a sub-board.

    Protocol:
            A system of rules and procedures governing communications between two
            or more devices. Protocols vary, but communicating devices must follow
            the same protocol in order to exchange data. The format of the data,
            readiness to receive or send, error detection and error correction are
            some of the operations that may be defined in protocols.
            See Transfer Protocol.

    QWK Packet:
            A single compressed file, usually in PKZIP format, that contains
    	new messages, E-mail, sysop bulletins, and a list of new files that can
            be downloaded by a user for use with an offline message reader. The
            filename is the BBS ID followed by a .QWK extension (regardless of the
            compression method). The developer of this packet format was Mark
            Herring (Sparky) of Sparkware, for use with his Qmail Door (external
            program). There are many popular offline message readers that support
    	the QWK format. QWK packets may also be used for message networking
    	(i.e. QWK Networking).

    REP Packet:
            A QWK reply packet. Also, a single compressed file, usually in PKZIP
            format, that contains e-mail or posts from the user that he/she created
            with an offline message reader. The filename is the BBS ID followed
            by a .REP extension. The packet must be uploaded by the user before
            the messages and e-mail can be sent to the destination users or posted.

    Restrictions:
            Flags that a sysop can place on a user to restrict the user from
            certain features of a BBS.

    RS-232:
            Interface standard developed by the Electronic Industries Association
            (EIA) to define the signals and voltages used when data is exchanged
            between a computer or terminal and a modem or serial printer. Data is
            usually transmitted via a cable with a 9 or 25 pin connector.

    SCFG:
    	Synchronet configuration program. See system_config.html for details.

    Serial Port:
            See COM Port.

    SMTP:
    	Simple Mail Transfer Protocol is a TCP-based protocol used to send and
    	receive email (on TCP port 25).

    Sub-board:
            A section within a message group that contains multiple messages posted
            by users on a specific topic. Also referred to as a conference, forum,
            or special interest group (SIG).

    Sysop:
            System Operator. A person who participates in the maintenance or
            management of a BBS. In Synchronet, sysops are defined as users with
    	a security level of 90 or hihger.

    TCP:
    	Transmission Control Protocol. TCP works with IP to ensure that packets
    	travel reliably on the Internet. This is the method by which most Internet
    	activity takes place.

    Text File Sections:
            Areas for the storage of text files that the sysop wants users to have
            the ability to read. Often referred to as general text file sections.
            Common text files would be information about the BBS, ANSI artwork,
            and documents on debatable subjects. Text files placed in text file
            sections do not get purged as public messages do and are not part
    	of the transfer section, so credits and transfer access are not
            required.

    Transfer Protocol:
            A protocol designed to govern the transmission of files between two
            computer systems. BBS transfer protocols are usually specific to modem
            transmissions. The most common of which are Xmodem, Ymodem, and Zmodem.
            Most communications programs contain built-in protocol support and
            stand-alone transfer protocol programs (e.g SexyZ) are also available.

    Throughput:
    	The effective rate of data flow for a file transfer, measured in bits
    	per second. Throughput depends on the connect rate and the
    	error-control and data-compression protocols, if any.

    UART:
    	Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter. The IC (Integrated
    	Circuit) that controls the serial port I/O. You must have a UART for
    	each COM port in your computer. The most common UARTs for IBM PCs are
    	NS8250s and NS16450s. If you are using a high-speed (9600bps or higher)
    	modem with your COM port and having communication problems, quite often
    	the only solution is to replace your UART for that COM port with a
    	buffered UART, usually an NS16550AFN. More modern UARTs are being
    	integrated with other peripheral controller ICs into a single chip (or
    	chip-set). This design does not allow for the replacement of the actual
    	UART. Internal modems have their own built-in UART.

    UDP:
    	User Datagram Protocol. A communications protocol for the Internet
    	network layer, transport layer, and session layer, which makes it
    	possible to send a datagram message from one computer to an application
    	running in another computer. Like TCP (Transmission Control Protocol),
    	UDP is used with IP (the Internet Protocol). Unlike TCP, UDP is
    	connectionless and does not guarantee reliable communication; the
    	application itself must process any errors and check for reliable
    	delivery.

    Upload:
            Transferring a file from a remote computer to a BBS or other host
            system.

    User to User Transfer:
            An upload that is sent to a particular user or set of users. These
            transfers are only allowed if the sysop creates a sub-board with a
    	short name of "User". The sysop should set the access level to 90 and
    	the upload level to something in the user range to allow users to
    	upload to the directory, but not be able to list the contents of the
            directory. A user performs a user to user upload with the '/U' command
            from the transfer menu, and the destination user(s) can download the
            file with the '/D' command.

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Copyright © 2006 by Rob Swindell
Synchronet BBS Software (Synchronet) Version 3 is comprised of several documentation,
library, executable, and source code files, all of which are covered by the
GNU General Public License with the exception of the following portions covered by
the GNU Lesser General Public License: SMBLIB and XSDK.
Synchronet Version 2 (for DOS and OS/2) and its source code was released to the
Public Domain by Digital Dynamics in 1997 and remains Public Domain software today.
Synchronet Version 3 is not Public Domain software.

http://www.synchro.net

For the complete Copyright Information please read the Copyright Document .