The Online World Part 44

There are different varieties of Big5 codes, the most common being ET Big5 (the code used by the Taiwanese program ETen, p.r.o.nounced Yi3tian1) and HKU Big5 (the code used for programs developed at Hong Kong University).

ET Big5 files must be read with the ETen operating system.

Binary ------ The base 2 number system in which only the digits 1 and 0 are used is called the binary system. The binary system lets us express any number, if we have enough bits, as a combination of 1's and 0's.

Also used to express conditions like on/off, true/false, yes/no.

Bits ---- Bit is an abbreviation for Binary digIT. Computer words and data are made-up of bits, the smallest unit of information.

A bit can be either zero or one, represented in a circuit by an off or on state, respectively. The bits are set on or off to store data, or to form a code that in turn sends instructions to the computer's central processing unit.

Bits per second (bps) --------------------- Bits per second (bps) is the number of binary digits sent in one second. It refers to the rate at which the bits within a single frame are sent ('frame' is another term for 'packet'). The gaps between frames can be of variable length. Accordingly, bps does not refer to the rate at which information is actually being transferred.

We usually estimate the amount of characters transferred per second (cps) by dividing the number of bps by 10. Example: 2400 bps transfers around 240 characters per second.

Boolean ------- Search algorithm built on the algebraic theories of the English mathematician George Booles. Boolean algorithms are used in online databases to help narrow down the number of hits using the words AND, OR, and NOT.

Bounce ------ The return of a piece of mail because of an error in its delivery.

Bps --- Abbreviation for bits per second. See above.

Browse ------ To view and possibly edit a file of data on screen similar to handling text in a word processing doc.u.ment.

Bulletin board -------------- A computer, often a microcomputer, set up to receive calls and work as an online service. The BBSes let users communicate with each other through message bases, and exchange files. They and may also offer other services (like news, data base searches, and online shopping).

Carrier ------- The tone that the modem sends over a phone line before any data is sent on it. This tone has a fixed frequency and a fixed amplitude.

It is then modified to indicate data.

Character --------- Here used about a letter, a number or another typographical symbol or code.

CCITT ----- The Consultative Committee for International Telephony and Telegraphy. An international consultative committee, organized by the United Nations. Members.h.i.+p includes Telephone, governmental Post, and Telegraph Authorities, scientific and trade a.s.sociations, and private companies. CCITT is part of the International Telecommunications Union, a United Nations treaty organization based in Geneva, Switzerland.

CCITT sets international communications recommendations. These are often adopted as standards. It also develops interface, modem, and data network recommendations. The X.25 protocol for access to packet-switched networks was originally a recommendation of CCITT.

A wide range of CCITT doc.u.ments is available through The Teledoc database of The International Telecommunication Union (ITU):

* CCITT and CCIR administrative doc.u.ments * lists of contributions (substantive input/proposals) to CCITT and CCIR study groups * lists of CCITT reports and Recommendations (i.e., standards) * summaries of CCITT new or revised Recommendations * CCITT and CCIR meeting schedules and other information concerning Study Groups structures and activities.

For information, write to [email protected] or [email protected] The database is at [email protected] .

COM port -------- A COM port (or communication port) is a communications channel or pathway over which data is transferred between remote computing devices.

MS-DOS computers may have as many as four COM ports, COM1, COM2, COM3, and COM4. These are serial ports most often used with a modem to set up a communications channel over telephone lines. They can also be used to send data to a serial printer, or to connect a serial mouse.

Conference ---------- Also called SIG (Special Interest Group), Forum, RoundTable, Echo.

A conference is an area on a bulletin board or online service set up as a mini board. Most conferences have separate message bases and often also file libraries and bulletins. Conferences are focused on topics, like politics, games, multimedia and product support.

Connect time ------------ A term used for the hours, minutes, and seconds that a user is connected to an online service. On several commercial services, users have to pay for connect time.

CPS --- Characters per second. See Bits per second.

Data ---- Information of any kind, including binary, decimal or hexadecimal numbers, integer numbers, text strings, etc.

Database -------- A database is a highly structured file (or set of files) that tries to provide all the information a.s.signed to a particular subject and to allow programs to access only items they need.

Online services offer databases that users can search to find full-text or bibliographic references to desired topics.

DCE/DTE ------- Data Communications Equipment/Data Terminal Equipment. Equipment connected to an RS232 connector must be either a DCE (like a modem or a printer) or a DTE (computer or terminal). The term defines the types of equipment that will "talk" and "listen."

Default ------- When a value, parameter, attribute, or option is a.s.signed by a communications program, modem, or online system unless something else is specified, it is called the default.

For example, communication programs often have prespecified values for baud rate, bit size and parity that are used unless alternative values are given. These prespecified values are called the defaults.

Some services give users a choice between two or more options.

If a selection is not made by the user, then a selection is automatically a.s.signed, by default.

Discussion list --------------- See Mailing list.

Domain Name System (DNS) ------------------------ Email addressing system used in networks such as Internet and BITNET. The Internet DNS consists of a hierarchical sequence of names, from the most specific to the most general (left to right), separated by dots, for example nic.ddn.mil.

Doors ----- A service offered by many bulletin boards to allow the user to leave the (remote) main software system to use one or several independent programs, like games and databases.

Downloading ----------- The transfer of data from an online service and "down" to your computers' disk.

DTR --- Data Terminal Ready is a circuit which, when ON, tells the modem that your computer is ready to communicate. Most modems are unable to tell your computer that a connection has been set up with a remote computer before this circuit has been switched off. If your computer turns this signal OFF, while it is in a dialog with a remote computer, the modem will normally disconnect.

Duplex ------ Describes how you see text entered by the keyboard. When the setting is HALF DUPLEX, all characters entered on your computer for transfer to an online service (or your modem) will be displayed. In addition, you will normally receive an echo from the online service (or modem). The result will often 'bbee lliikkee tthhiiss'.

When using the setting FULL DUPLEX, typed characters will not be shown. What you see, are characters echoed back to you from the online service and/or your modem.

ECHO ---- (1) When data is being sent, the receiving device often resends the information back so the sending device can be sure it was received correctly.

(2) Term used on FidoNet for this network's system of exchanging conferences (parallel conferencing).

Email ----- Abbreviation for Electronic Mail.

FAQ --- "Frequently Asked Questions" about services on the Internet. A list of FAQ doc.u.ments is posted every four to six weeks to the Usenet newsgroup news.announce.newusers.

File server ----------- A file server is a device that "serves" files to everyone on a network. It allows everyone on the network to get files in a single place, on one computer. Typically, it is a combination computer, data management software, and large capacity hard disk drive.

File transfer ------------- The copying of a file from one computer to another over a computer network.

Finger ------ A program on computers directly connected to the Internet that returns information about a registered user on a system. Finger is useful before initiating chats, known on the Internet as "talk."

Flame ----- A "flame" is a conference message sent by someone who generally disagrees so violently that they are willing to sink to personal attacks. Flames can be extremely annoying, and can get the writer banished from several conference networks.

Fractal -------- A mathematical algorithm from which an image can be created. A fractal formula generates a fractal picture composed of an image based on a basic pattern. An outgrowth of chaos mathematics, it is being used for compressing and decompressing high quality images.

Generally, a fractally compressed image has an extremely small file size.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) ---------------------------- A program on the Internet for sending and receiving files to and from a remote computer to your local host. FTP lets you connect to many remote computers, as an anonymous or guest user, to transfer files back to your computer.

FTP only lets you list file directories on foreign systems, and get or retrieve files. You cannot browse menus, send email, or search databases.

Usually, type ftp at your system prompt, login on the remote system, and ask for the file you want to receive. It transfers to your local host machine. (For more on this, read under "Internet"

in appendix 1.) Unless your computer is directly connected to the Internet, the retrieved software will have to be transferred from your local host machine to your PC.

Where ftp is not available, you may use FTPMAIL (see chapter 12).

Full duplex ----------- The term full-duplex means the transmission of data in two directions simultaneously as from a terminal to a computer or from the computer to the terminal. Full-duplex is simultaneous two-way communication.

Full-text database ------------------ A database containing the full text of an article, a chapter in a book, or a book. The contents are not limited to abstracted information (indexes, bibliographic information).

FYI --- "For Your Information." On the Internet, a subseries of RFCs that are not technical standards or descriptions of protocols.