The Cole Papers, BBS lingo, November 1994

BBS lingo

Chat, host, forum? Here are some bulletin board system terms you should know:

Baud -- the speed rating for modems, now more commonly known as bits per second (bps). A 14,400-bps modem transmits roughly 1400 characters a second.

Chat -- real-time on-line conversation between users. It's sort of like using the keyboard as a telephone.

Forums -- also called message areas, forums are places usually organized by subject where users gather for discussion. This is the function that originally gave BBSs their name -- messages are "posted" one at a time, like notes on a cork bulletin board.

Other users may reply, and then replies can be posted to replies. A series of such messages is called a thread.

Host -- the computer used to run a bulletin board system.

Libraries -- areas where files are stored. Files can be text, graphics or software. Users can upload files (put them into the library) or download them -- in effect, check them out of the library.

Modem (MOdulate/DEModulate) -- a device that turns digital computer data into electronic pulses that can be sent over telephone lines, and then turns them back into computer data at the other end.

A user who has a modem can use it to dial the telephone and connect with a modem attached to the BBS. The modems allow the two computers to "talk" to each other over the telephone.

Sysop -- SYStem OPerator. The person who runs the BBS.

User -- someone who uses another computer to access the BBS; i.e., your customer.

-- CJF

Also: Bored with printing on paper? Try a bulletin board system

BBS lingo

From THE COLE PAPERS, November 1994, Copyright (c) 1994, All Rights Reserved.