Glossary of Fidonet Terms used in the Region 19 Web Pages

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Glossary of Terms

Below, such as it is, are some definitions of terms used in these pages and in Fidonet.

BBS:

A computer and associated software which typically provides an electronic message database where people can log in and leave messages. Messages are typically split into topic groups similar to the newsgroups on Usenet (which is like a distributed BBS). Any user may submit or read any message in these public areas.
Apart from public message areas, a BBS may provide archives of files, personal electronic mail and any other services or activities of interest to the bulletin board's system operator (the "sysop"). Thousands of local BBSes are in operation throughout the world, typically run by amateurs for fun out of their homes.
BBSes have traditionally been the domain of hobbyists, an increasing number of BBSes are connected directly to the Internet (see: "Telnet"), and many BBSes are currently operated by government, educational, and research institutions.

Fidonet:

FidoNet is an amateur electronic mail network with mail nodes world wide. FidoNet nodes are often personal computers in somebody's home; the system operator (sysop) may be a young person or a retired grandfather. Some nodes are networks consisting of dozens of PCs or larger systems, and some are run by governments, fire departments, or large corporations to support the needs of their constituents or customers. A few are actually money making ventures.

Net or Network:

A network is a collection of nodes in a local geographic area, usually defined by an area of convenient telephone calling. Networks coordinate their mail activity to decrease cost.

Net Coordinator (NC):

The Network Coordinator is responsible for maintaining the list of nodes for the network, and for forwarding netmail sent to members of the network from other FidoNet nodes. The Network Coordinator may make arrangements to handle outgoing netmail, but is not required to do so.

Node:

See "Sysop".

Nodelist:

The nodelist is a file, updated weekly, which contains the addresses of all recognized FidoNet nodes.

Policy 4:

This document establishes the policy for sysops who are members of the FidoNet organization of electronic bulletin board systems.

POTS: Plain Old Telephone System.

This term is generally used to define the copper wire phone line that you have in your house.

Region:

A region is a well-defined geographic area containing nodes which may or may not be combined into networks.
A typical region will contain many nodes in networks, and a few independent nodes which are not a part of any network.

Region Coordinator (RC):

The Regional Coordinator maintains the list of independent nodes in the region and accepts nodelists from the Network Coordinators in the region. These are compiled to create a regional nodelist, which is then sent to the Zone Coordinator. A Regional Coordinator does not perform message-forwarding services for any nodes in the region.

Regional Independent (RI):

A Regional Independent is a Node that is not a part of any Net in their Region.

Sysop:

The smallest subdivision of FidoNet is the individual system, corresponding to a single entry in the nodelist.
The system operator (sysop) formulates a policy for running the board and dealing with users. The sysop must mesh with the rest of the FidoNet system to send and receive mail, and the local policy must be consistent with other levels of FidoNet.

Telnet:

Telnet is the main Internet protocol for creating a connection with a remote machine. It gives the user the opportunity to be on one computer system and do work on another, which may be across the street or thousands of miles away. Where modems are limited, in the majority, by the quality of telephone lines and a single connection, telnet provides a connection that's error-free and nearly always faster than the latest conventional modems.

Zone:

A zone is a large geographic area containing many regions, covering one or more countries and/or Continents.

Zone Coordinator (ZC):

The Zone Coordinator compiles the nodelists from all of the regions in the zone, and creates the master nodelist and difference file, which is then distributed over FidoNet in the zone. A Zone Coordinator does not perform message-forwarding services for any nodes in the zone.