The Online World, Odd de Presno [simple ebook reader txt] 📗

file, which contains your letter. Enter the name, and the file will be sent.

Slow down with "pacing"

Sometimes, the PgUp method is just what you need. On other days, strange things may stop you in the middle of your transfer. One typical reason is that Procomm is sending it too fast for the recipient.

"Pacing" is a method used to slow the speed of the transfer to a level that the recipient can handle. Procomm lets you set a tiny pause after each line sent. Another technique is to ask the program to wait for a given character (a "Go-character"), before allowing it to send the next line. For example: the character ":" is often used in the prompts for the next line on bulletin boards.

Protocol transfers may be easier

You may find it easier to use a transfer protocol. With Procomm, press the PgUp key, and the program will ask for a protocol. Select Kermit or something else. The program will ask for a file name, you enter it, and off it goes. You will have no problems with blank lines, or lines that are too long.

At times, even this will fail. The most common reasons are: * The recipient requires that Procomm be set for 8-bits word length, no parity, 1 stop bit, when using this protocol, but you have it set differently. * You think that the recipient's version of YMODEM is the same that you have. Wrong! Total failure. Do the following to upload the file TEST.TXT to my bulletin board using XMODEM: 1. Navigate to the file area. Tell SHS what you want by using the following command: u;test.txt;x 2. Press PgUp, select XMODEM, enter a file name (TEST.TXT), and the transfer will start. (If you're too slow, SHS may be tired of waiting for your commands . . .) 3. When the transfer is completed, my board will ask for a short description of the file. Enter it, and you're done.

Enter G (for Goodbye), and disconnect.

Appendix 4:

Explanation of some frequently used terms

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We have included some terms that are commonly used in the online world. For more information, get a copy of "FYI: Internet User's Glossary." To get this file, send email to SERVICE@NIC.DDN.MIL with the following command in the Subject of your mail: RFC 1392 .

Address

The string of characters that you must give an electronic mail program to direct a message to a particular person.

The term "Internet address" often refers to an assigned number, which identifies a host on this network.

Anonymous FTP

The procedure of connecting to a remote computer, as an anonymous or guest user, to transfer files back to your computer. See FTP for more information.

ANON-FTP

See Anonymous FTP.

ANSI

(1) ANSI is an organization that sets standards. (2) 'ANSI graphics' (ref. the term ANSI-BBS) is a set of cursor control codes that originated on the VT100 terminal. Many online services use these codes to help improve the sending of characters to communication programs. It uses the escape character, followed by other characters, to move the cursor on the screen, change color, and more.

Archie

An electronic directory service for locating information throughout the Internet. You can use Archie to locate files on anonymous ftp archive sites, other online directories and resource listings. It is useful for finding free software.

Archie offers access to the "whatis" description database. This database contains descriptions that include the name and a brief synopsis of the large number of public domain software, datasets and informational documents located on the Internet. This book emphasizes email access to Archie. You can also reach archie servers by telnet to one of the following addresses: archie.au 139.130.4.6 (Australian server) archie.mcgill.ca 132.206.44.21 (Canada) archie.funet.fi 128.214.6.100 (Finland/Europe s.) archie.th-darmstadt 130.83.128.111 (Germany) archie.cs.huji.ac.il 132.65.6.15 (Israel server) archie.kuis.kyoto-u.ac.jp 130.54.20.1 (Japan) archie.sogang.ac.kr 163.239.1.11 (Korea) archie.nz 130.195.9.4 (New Zealand) archie.ncu.edu.tw 140.115.19.24 (Taiwan) archie.doc.ic.ac.uk 146.169.11.3 (UK/England server) archie.rutgers.edu 128.6.18.15 (U.S.A.)

Archie server

An email-based file transfer facility offered by some systems connected to the Internet.

ASCII

The American Standard Code for Information Interchange. A standard seven-bit code created to achieve compatibility between various types of data processing equipment. ASCII, pronounced "ask-key," is the common code for microcomputer equipment.

The Standard ASCII Character Set consists of 128 decimal numbers ranging from zero through 127 assigned to letters, numbers, punctuation marks, and the most common special characters. The Extended ASCII Character Set also consists of 128 decimal numbers and ranges from 128 through 255 representing additional special, mathematical, graphic, and foreign characters.

ASCII download

Retrieval of plain ASCII text (without special codes). Normally, it takes place without automatic error correction, but it is typically managed by XON/XOFF flow control.

Asynchronous transfer

Serial communication between two computers. When signals are sent to a computer at irregular intervals, they are described as asynchronous. Data is sent at irregular intervals by preceding each character with a start bit and following it with a stop bit.

Asynchronous transmission allows a character to be sent at random after the preceding character has been sent, without regard to any timing device. Consequently, in case of line noise, the modem can find out right away where the next byte should start.

Autodial

When a modem dials a telephone number automatically. Autodial may be started by the user entering the number manually, or the number may be sent automatically by the communications program (for example after having been selected from a phone register).

Baud

A unit of measurement that shows the number of discrete signal elements, such as bits, that can be sent per second.

Bits per second (bps) is the number of binary digits sent in one second. There is a difference between bps and baud rate, and the two are often confused. For example, a device such as a modem said to send at 2400 baud is not correct. It actually sends 2400 bits per second. Both baud rate and bps refer to the rate at which the bits within a single frame are sent. The gaps between the frames can be of variable length. Accordingly, neither baud rate nor bps refer accurately to the rate at which information is actually being transferred.

BBS

Bulletin Board or Bulletin Board System. See Bulletin Board.

Bell

Standard frequencies used in older modems made in the United States. The standard for 300 bps is called Bell 103. The standard for 1200 bps full duplex is called Bell 212A. Modems using these standards are normally unable to communicate with CCITT standard modems at these speeds.

Big5

Coding scheme developed in Taiwan for using Chinese on computers. There are different varieties of Big5 codes, the most common being ET Big5 (the code used by the Taiwanese program ETen, pronounced 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 document.

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. Membership includes Telephone, governmental Post, and Telegraph Authorities, scientific and trade associations, 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 documents is available through The Teledoc database of The International Telecommunication Union (ITU):

CCITT and CCIR administrative documents * 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 shaw@itu.arcom.ch or bautista@itu.arcom.ch The database is at teledoc@itu.arcom.ch .

COM port

A COM port (or communication port) is a communications channel