                             Synchronet Documentation
                                Glossary of Terms

Alias:
        False name that a user is known as. The use of Aliases is common on
        BBSs. Synchronet allows the sysop to disallow the use of them, forcing
        all users to be known by their real names.

ANSI:
        American National Standards Institute. References made to ANSI are
        actually referring to the ANSI 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 .ICE files), 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.

BBS:
        Bulletin Board System. A system configured to accept users via modem
        or network to access public and private messages. Many BBSs also
        incorporate file transfers (the uploading and downloading of program
        and data files), information services, online entertainment, and more.

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. So a through-put of 2400bps 
        means 2400 bits are being transmitted every second, of which only 1950 
        bits are data.

Chat:
        Online real-time communication between users.

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 mail connector.

Command Line:
        The complete syntax used for the execution of a program. Includes
        the program path and name to execute and any parameters that may be
        required by the program for proper execution.

Compression:
        See Archive.

Co-sysop:
        BBS user with additional privileges to enable partial system
        maintenance. Co-sysops on a Synchronet system would usually have
        an ML 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.

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
        computer.

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.

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

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 remove access limitations or
        provide access to certain sysop functions.
        See USEREDIT.DOC.

External Programs:
        Programs (.COM, .EXE, or .BAT files) 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.

File Transfer Protocol:
        See Transfer Protocol.

Flag:
        One of 26 possible switches labeled A through Z. Flags are used to
        represent specific security privileges or restrictions for a user.
        See USEREDIT.DOC for more information.

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.

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

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

Logon:
        The act of entering a BBS system through a valid user account.

Message:
        File stored on the system created by a user that may contain ASCII text
        ,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).

MF or Main Flags:
        Sysop configurable flags that can determine which Message Groups,
        Sub-boards, External Programs, and General Text File Sections a user
        can have access to. If a section of the board has been configured by
        the sysop to only allow access to users with a certain flag, then only
        user's with that flag set (and meet the other section requirements)
        will have access.
        See USEREDIT.DOC for more information.

ML or Main Level:
        A decimal value in the range of 0 to 99 that determines a user's
        main security level on Synchronet BBS. A user's ML 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, and General Text File Sections the user can access.

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.

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

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.

Post:
        The act of a user writing and saving a message on a public 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 created by PKZIP, 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.

REP Packet:
        A QWK reply packet. Also, a single compressed file, usually created by
        PKZIP, 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.

Serial Port:
        See COM Port.

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 main level of 90 or greater.

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 art work,
        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 transfer points and transfer access are not
        required.

TF or Transfer Flags:
        Flags that a sysop can use to make certain file libraries or
        directories only accessible to users that have those flags set.
        If the sysop has configured a library or directory to only allow access
        to users with a certain TF set, then only users with that flag set
        will have access.
        See USEREDIT.DOC for more information.

TL or Transfer Level:
        A decimal number in the range of 0 to 99 that a sysop can use to
        restrict certain users from accessing file libraries or directories.
        See USEREDIT.DOC for more information.

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 (like Omen Technology's DSZ)
        are also available.

UART:
        Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter. The IC 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. SBBS's use of interrupt driven COM I/O allows high-speed
        modems to communicate accurately without a buffered UART, so an
        NS16550AFN is not necessary or even utilized. 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.

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 TL to 90 and
        the upload TL 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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