Internet - An
immense, global network that connects computers via telephone
lines and/or fiber networks to storehouses of electronic information.
With only a computer, a modem, a telephone line and a service
provider, people from all over the world can communicate and share
information with little more than a few keystrokes.
Bulletin Board Systems
(BBSs) - Electronic networks of computers that are
connected by a central computer setup and operated by a system
administrator or operator and are distinguishable from the Internet
by their "dial-up" accessibility. BBS users link their
individual computers to the central BBS computer by a modem which
allows them to post messages, read messages left by others, trade
information, or hold direct conversations. Access to a BBS can,
and often is, privileged and limited to those users who have access
privileges granted by the systems operator.
Commercial On-line Service
(COS) - Examples of COSs are America Online, Prodigy,
CompuServe and Microsoft Network, which provide access to their
service for a fee. COSs generally offer limited access to the
Internet as part of their total service package.
Internet Service Provider
(ISP) - Examples of ISPs are Erols, Concentric and
Netcom. These services offer direct, full access to the Internet
at a flat, monthly rate and often provide electronic-mail service
for their customers. ISPs often provide space on their servers
for their customers to maintain World Wide Web (WWW) sites. Not
all ISPs are commercial enterprises. Educational, governmental
and nonprofit organizations also provide Internet access to their
members.
Public Chat Rooms
- Created, maintained, listed and monitored by the COs and other
public domain) systems such as Internet Relay Chat. A number of
customers can be in the public chat rooms at any given time, which
are monitored for illegal activity and even appropriate language
by systems operators (SYSOP). Some public chat rooms are monitored
more frequently than others, depending on the COs and the type
of chat room. Violators can be reported to the administrators
of the system (at America On-line they are referred to as terms
of service [TOS]) which can revoke user privileges. The public
chat rooms usually cover a broad range of topics such as entertainment,
sports, game rooms, children only, etc.
Electronic Mail (E-Mail)
- A function of BBSs, COSs and ISPs which provides for the transmission
of messages and files between computers over a communications
network similar to mailing a letter via the postal service. E-mail
is stored on a server, where it will remain until the addresses
retrieves it. Anonymity can be maintained by the sender by predetermining
what the receiver will see as the "from" address. Another
way to conceal one's identity is to use an "anonymous remailer,"
which is a service that allows the user to send an e-mail message
repackaged under the remailer's own header, stripping off the
originator's name completely.
Chat - Real-time
text conversation between users in a chat room with no expectation
of privacy. All chat conversation is accessible by all individuals
in the chat room while the conversation is taking place.
Instant Messages
- Private, real-time text conversation between two users in a
chat room.
Internet Relay Chat (IRC)
- Real-time text conversation similar to public and/or private
chat rooms on COS.
Usenet (Newsgroups)
- Like a giant, cork bulletin board where users post messages
and information. Each posting is like an open letter and is capable
of having attachments, such as graphic image files (GIFs). Anyone
accessing the newsgroup can read the postings, take copies of
posted items, or post responses. Each newsgroup can hold thousands
of postings. Currently, there are over 29,000 public newsgroups
and that number is growing daily. Newsgroups are both public and/or
private. There is no listing of private newsgroups. A user of
private newsgroups has to be invited into the newsgroup and be
provided with the newsgroup's address.
