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FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
FidoNet
A large world-wide network of amateur bulletin boards where e-mail, conference messages and files are exchanged between users.
file
A named collection of data, usually stored on a disk drive.
file compression
Using special compression software, most computer files can be made smaller so that they take less time to transfer and occupy less storage space. Compressed
files are denoted by a characteristic file suffix, and must be expanded before they can be used.
filename
The name of a file stored on a computer, with or without its file suffix.
file suffix
An acronym forming part of the filename, often comprising three characters at the end of the main file name, which indicates the application needed to read or
decode it. For example in file name GARF0001.DOC the DOC part tells Windows that Microsoft Word made the file.
file-transfer protocol
A set of rules describing how a file is to be transmitted so that it can be decoded safely at the other end. So-called ASCII file transfers can transfer only ASCII
characters (ie text), whereas binary file-transfer protocols can transmit binary files such as programs and graphics. Binary protocols include Kermit, Xmodem,
Ymodem and Zmodem.
File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
Part of the TCP/IP protocol suite used on the Internet for transferring files across TCP/IP connections. Files that are available by FTP are commonly held in public
archives on FTP sites. From here they can be retrieved by an FTP client using anonymous as a username, and an e-mail address as a password.
firewall
A secure gateway protecting an internal network from unauthorised access. Firewalls can be crossed by way of an ultra-secure proxy server.
flame
A harmful or derogatory, sometimes deserved and sometimes uncalled-for, response to an e-mail message or Usenet news item that the flamer considers offensive.
A flame war is the on-line equivalent of a heated argument.
floppy disk
Disk used by computers to install new software and exchange files. Originally, disks were large and were actually floppy. Recently, disks have been made much
smaller typically 90mm/3.5 inch and aren't actually floppy at all! Floppy disks are read and recorded using a floppy disk drive.
floptical drive
Deriving its name from FLoppy OPTICAL drive, these devices use a mixture of both laser and magnetic technologies, and allow you to read and write data onto
re-writable disks that can be up to 1.3 GB big.
folder
Document and program files are stored in folders. In early versions of Windows, and DOS, folders were called directories.
freeware
Software that is copyrighted by the author but made available to end users without charge.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
These are often found in newsgroups in the Internet. An FAQ is a text file in wide use on the Internet serving to answer questions commonly asked by new users,
or merely to record information about a particular subject that has been put together for the benefit of all users.