I N T R O D U C T I O N
          
          These days, there is a great deal of talk about the
          Information Superhighway. The world of telecommunications
          is experiencing astonishing growth. BBSs (Bulletin Board
          Systems) got their start in January 1978. That was when
          Ward Christensen and Randy Suess produced the first BBS
          software. They called their BBS software CBBS for
          Computer Bulletin Board System. They wanted to
          electronically emulate the cork bulletin boards found in
          public areas such as meeting halls or laundromats. Here,
          people could post messages on all kinds of subjects. All
          you needed was a computer, a modem, modem software, and
          a phone line.
          
          In the early days, most people who used BBSs were experts
          in computers. This is not true today for a number of
          reasons. Modern communications software is much easier to
          use. The BBS software is dramatically improved. Modems
          are much faster and better. 
          
          Today, there are at least 55,000 BBSs in the United
          States alone. It is estimated that by the year 2000 there
          will be around 20 million BBS users in this country. BBSs
          offer message systems, private e-mail, and usually a huge
          library of files. Most BBSs can be accessed by almost any
          modem software program. However, some commercial online
          services (for example, America Online and Prodigy)
          require special software to obtain access. Incidently,
          "modem software" is another name for "terminal program," 
          which is another name for "telecommunications program,"
          which is another name for "communications program." All
          these terms mean the same thing, and this brings us to
          the most perplexing problem of modems.
          
          The most daunting aspect of telecommunications is the
          unique terminology. If you are dumfounded by terms such
          as stop bits, parity, FOSSIL driver, and UART, you are
          not alone. It behooves the gentle reader to first check
          out the section on Telecommunications Terms to get a
          handle on this peculiar jargon.
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