Telecommunications Terminology

channel medium through which information travels receiver person or device that recieves information source person or device that sends information telecommunications transmissin of info. from one location to another by electronic means BBS bulletin board system for posting messages online directly connected to the CPU modem device used to connect computer to telephone line baud the speed of a communications channel email electronic mail password way to limit access to computer info. ATM automated teller machine for banking transactions EFT electronic funds transfer Boolean search criteria where two or more conditions must be true for successful search keywords words using in programming that instruct the computer to perform a function  virus program designed to attach itself to other programs; it can damage data files and cause system failures hacking persistent efforts to use a computer to gain illegal or unauthorized entry to another computer system phonefraud illegal use of telephones or lines to avoid charges satellite earth-orbiting man-made object off of which telecommunicatin signals and computer data are bounced network system of linked computers and other devices that allows computers to share and exchange info. SIG Special Interest Group--group of people with common interests who share info. about their interests on a BBS SYSOP Systems Operator; manages BBS piracy duplication & distribution of copyrighted software vandalism damage & destroy computer records, information, or network