FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) - Newsgroups, mailing lists and Internet sites often have a list of the most frequently asked questions about their subject, with answers.Newbies who have questions will find it useful to check the FAQ first.There are readily available FAQs about general use of the Internet and online services.

Favorites - A list of files or Web pages you plan to use frequently. Microsoft Internet Explorer lets you maintain a list of your favorite websites to make it easy to return to them again. (Called Bookmarks when using Netscape Navigator)

Finger - An Internet software tool for locating people on other Internet sites. Finger is also sometimes used to give access to non-personal information, but the most common use is to see if a person has an account at a particular Internet site. Many sites do not allow incoming Finger requests, but many do.

File - 1.A block of information in the form of bytes, stored together on a computer or external digital storage medium, and given a name.A file may be a program, a document, a database, or some other collection of bytes. 2.To store in a file.

File Attachment - Method by which an actual file may be 'attached' to an e-mail message and sent through a computer network with that message.

File Compression - Compression of data in a file or database file, in order to reduce the amount of space needed for storage or to speed up transmission of the file.

Filter - In online circles this usually refers to a method of allowing access based on a keywords or proxy filter system that limits access based on set criteria.

Filtering Software -Software that sorts information on the Internet and classifies it according to content. Some filtering software allows the user to block certain kinds of information on the Internet.

FireWall - A specially programmed computer that connects a local network to the Internet and, for security reasons, lets only certain kinds of messages in and out. A security device that places a protective "wall" around a computer or network of computers, keeping it from being accessible to the public.

Flame - To post angry or insulting messages. Flaming is considered poor Internet etiquette. Hostile email; to be pummeled with hostile e-mail by an Internet purist.

Flamer - Someone who wrote a flame message.

Flash - A program made by Macromedia that allows viewing interactive multimedia on the Web.

Flow Control - A mechanism that compensates for differences in the flow of data to and output from a modem or computer. Either hardware or software can be used for this control to prevent data loss. Hardware flow control using the modem makes use of a buffer to store data to be sent and data received. Flow control is necessary if the Communications port is locked at a higher rate than the connection rate. This is especially important for high speed modems, like 14,400 bps and above, that should almost always be setup for CTS/RTS hardware flow control.

Freeware - Computer software which may be distributed on Bulletin Board Systems or the Internet, and for which the author requests no license fee or registration fee.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) - 'FTP' - a standardized text based method of transferring files from one computer to another usually from an 'FTP' Server on the Internet.

Full Duplex - Signal flow in both directions at the same time. It is sometimes used to refer to the suppression of online LOCAL ECHO and allowing the remote system to provide a REMOTE ECHO.