The Online World resources handbook

Frequently used terms http://home.eunet.no/~presno/bok/v4.html
(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 them to enhance their
transmission of characters to communication programs. The escape character, followed
by other characters, are used to move the cursor on the screen, change color, and more.
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. Each code can be represented by a 7 digit binary number: 0000000
through 1111111.
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. So, 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).
Bandwidth
How much you can send through a connection. Usually measured in bits per second.
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.
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