What is Freqing?
================
   FREQ = "File Request" When you "freq" a file, you request it from
another Node. This is the basic way you get files across the country
in a few minutes. It's why a shareware package released in Australia
makes it to the East Coast of America the same day. To many Sysops,
"freqing" is the single most advantageous thing about FidoNet.
   You can usually freq a file through your mailer software, which
sends the appropriate request to the Node in question. Sometimes you
can do it from within your BBS software. Also, third party utilities
enable freqing. BONK, for example, is used in conjunction with BINKley
for this purpose.
   You can usually freq a list of files on another BBS by requesting
FILES. This is a "magic name" that will get you whatever list is
appropriate of files available on the board you called. That way
you'll get the file names correct the next time you call.
   "Magic Names" can be used for some files, depending on how a Sysop
has set them up. This is particularly useful when versions of
filenames change quite often. A good example is Nodediff files. If I
set up the "magic name" of "Nodediff," then if you request a file by
that name, you'll always get the latest version, no matter what the
actual filename is. Magic names are unique to each individual board
and will be most useful to you when you request files from the same
board often.
   The opposite of freqing is sending, of course, which you may also
find occasion to do. I send the BBS list to all FidoNet Nodes this
way, usually by one command. This sends the same file to all Nodes. It
surely makes that process easier for me. You may get the Nodelist and
the Snooze in the same manner.
   It is considered common courtesy to inform the Sysop of the BBS
where you are freqing that you did request a file. Some software will
write a courtesy packet automatically so you don't have to. When you
request files with Front Door, it will send an empty NetMail letter
with the file requested as the subject.
