Glossary of Technical Terms

  • ANSI – Character set and color graphics standard used in text-based BBS interfaces.
  • ASCII – Standard code for representing text characters in computers and communication equipment.
  • Assembly – Low-level programming language translating directly to machine code.
  • BASICA – Microsoft’s advanced version of BASIC for IBM PCs.
  • BASIC – Beginner’s All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code; popular programming language for early BBS software.
  • Baud / Baud Rate – A measure of modem symbol rate or speed for data transmission over phone lines.
  • BBS – Bulletin Board System; early online platforms accessed via modem and precursor to modern forums and community sites.
  • BBS Platforms – Popular BBS software platforms besides PCBoard:
    • Citadel – Minimalist, text-based BBS platform focused on messaging. Wikipedia
    • RBBS-PC – First free and open-source BBS software for MS-DOS, written in BASIC. Wikipedia
    • Renegade – Fork of Telegard with ANSI graphics support and extended features. Wikipedia
    • Spitfire – Affordable shareware BBS system known for ease of use and reliability. Wikipedia
    • Telegard – WWIV-inspired BBS platform offering customization and gaming features. Wikipedia
    • Wildcat! BBS – Commercial BBS system with graphical DOS interface and multi-line support.
    • WWIV – Modular and customizable BBS platform originally written in Turbo Pascal. Wikipedia WWIV
  • Caller – User who connects to a BBS system via modem.
  • CMS – Content Management System for organizing, editing, and publishing digital content. Created by Andy Keeves.
  • Conference – Topic-based message groups on ExecNet for discussions and collaboration.
  • Custom Scripts – Automation scripts used by ExecNet for system management and enhanced features.
  • Door / Door Game – A BBS program that users could run to play games or access utilities.
  • DOS – Disk Operating System; command-line interface widely used in the 1980s and early 1990s.
  • Email / NetMail – Electronic mail system used for communication on BBS and internet networks.
  • ExecNet – LAN-based BBS founded in 1986 by Andy Keeves for IT professionals.
  • FidoNet – Worldwide message exchange system using address-based routing.
  • FTP – File Transfer Protocol for moving files across networks.
  • Gopher – Early network protocol for distributing, searching, and retrieving documents over the Internet.
  • Ilink / Ilink Message Network – Networking system used by ExecNet for global message exchange and connectivity.
  • LAN – Local Area Network; a network linking computers within a limited area.
  • LANtastic – Network operating system for LAN-based file and printer sharing.
  • LAN BBS – A BBS connected via a local area network allowing multi-node access.
  • Modem – Device that converts digital data to analog for transmission over phone lines and vice versa.
  • Multi-node – BBS setup where multiple users can connect simultaneously.
  • Node – A single point in a network capable of sending, receiving, or forwarding data.
  • Novell NetWare – Network operating system used for LAN file sharing and printing.
  • OS/2 – Enterprise multitasking operating system, enabling greater stability and scalability beyond DOS.
  • PCBoard – Professional-grade BBS software used by ExecNet.
  • QWK – Offline message packet format for exchanging messages between BBS systems.
  • Sysop – System operator; the administrator of a BBS.
  • Usenet – Distributed messaging system using newsgroups.
  • WAN – Wide Area Network; a network that spans a large geographical area.

The Technology Behind ExecNet