ARPAnet A pioneering long haul network funded by ARPA. It served as the basis for early networking research as well as a central backbone during the development of the Internet. The ARPAnet consisted of individual packet switching computers interconnected by leased lines. The ARPAnet no longer exists as a singular entity.
asynchronous Transmission by individual bytes, not related to specific timing on the transmitting end.
auto-magic Something which happens pseudo-automatically, and is usually too complex to go into any further than to say it happens "auto-magically."
backbone A high-speed connection within a network that connects shorter, usually slower circuits. Also used in reference to a system that acts as a "hub" for activity (although those are becoming much less prevalent now than they were ten years ago).
bandwidth The capacity of a medium to transmit a signal. More informally, the mythical "size" of The Net, and its ability to carry the files and messages of those that use it. Some view certain kinds of traffic (FTPing hundreds of graphics images, for example) as a "waste of bandwidth" and look down upon them.
BITNET (Because It's Time Network)
An NJE-based international educational network.
bounce
The return of a piece of mail because of an error in its delivery.
btw
An abbreviation for "by the way."
CFV (Call For Votes) Initiates the voting period for a Usenet newsgroup. At least one (occasionally two or more) email address is customarily included as a repository for the votes. See Newsgroup Creation for a full description of the Usenet voting process.
ClariNews
The fee-based Usenet newsfeed available from ClariNet Communications.