The Computer Folks Glossary

Machine language	A low-level language written in binary code that the computer can execute directly.
Macintosh operating system	A GUI-interface-based operating system developed by Apple Computer, Inc.
Macro virus	A computer virus that infects documents such as those created with a word processor and contains a miniature program consisting of disruptive instructions.
Macros	Automated routines used to perform tasks within applications.
Macs	Computers constructed according to the Macintosh computer specifications of Apple Computer, Inc.
Magnetic storage	The recording of data onto disks or tapes by magnetizing particles of an oxide-based surface coating.
Magnetic surface	The oxide-based surface coating of a magnetic storage disk or tape.
Mail client software	The software on a workstation that helps a user read, compose, send, and delete e-mail messages.
Mail merge	A software application that automates the process of producing customized documents such as letters and advertising flyers.
Mail server software	The software on the network server that controls the flow of e-mail.
Mailbox	A term for the area on a host computer or network sever where e-mail is stored.
Mainframes	Large, fast, computers generally used by businesses or the government to provide centralized storage processing and management for llarge amounts of data.
Management information system (MIS)	A type of information system that manipulates the data collected by transaction processing system to generate reports that managers can use to make business decisions.
Managers	People who make decisions about how an organization carries out its activities.
Manufacturer direct marketing	The selling of products by hardware manufactures directly to consumers, by means of sales force or mail order.
Many-to-many relationships	A relationship in which one record in a particular record type can be related to more than one record in another record type, and vice versa.
Mapping	In network terminology, assigning a drive letter to a network server disk drive.
MAU (multistation access unit)	A device used to connect nodes on a Token Ring network.
Maximum resolution	The maximum number of pixils a monitor can display.
Mean time between failures (MTBF)	A measurement of reliability that is applied to computer components.
Media failure	A problem with a storage medium that results in data loss.
Media player	A software program that provides the user with controls to start, stop, and rewind media segments.
Megabyte (MB)	Approximately one million bytes.
Megaherts (Mhz)	Millions of cycles per second. A measurement of the speed at which a computer can execute an instruction.
Member	In a network database model, a record type related to another record type higher up in the network model.
Memo data type	A data type that specifies that a field in a data file can contain varible-length text comments.
Memory	The area in a computer that holds data that is waiting to be processed.
Menu	A list of commands or options.
Menu bar	A list of menu titles.
Menu item	A choice listed on a menu.
Menu titles	The names of menus, which when clicked, display the contents of the menu.
Message	In a communications system, information that the source wants to communicate to the receiver.
Methods	In an object-oriented database, the means by which objects are manipulated.
Microcomputer	A small computer incorporating a single microprocessor chip.
Microprocessor	The component of a microcomputer motherboard that contains the circuitry that performs arithmetic and logical operation.
Microsoft Windows 3.1	An operating system that provides a GUI interface.
Microwave	An elecctromagnetic wave with a frequency of at least 1 gigiherts.
Microwave transmission	A technology in which a high-frequency radio signal is sent from a ground or satellite microwave-receiving station.
Middle managers	Managers responsible for designing ways to achieve the plans laid out by executive managers.
MIDI (musical instrument digital interface)	Sound encoded by one of two MIDI standards, FM synthesis or wave table synthesis.
Millisecond (ms)	A thousandth of a second.
Minicomputer	A midrange computer, somewhat larger than a microcomputer, that can carry out processing task for many simultaneous users.
Miracle	In a DFD, a process that has no input.
Mission	An organizational goal.
Mission statement	The written expression of an organization's mission.
MMX chip	A special multimedia processor that speeds up multimedia features, such as sound and video.
Modem	A device that sends and receives data to and from computers, over the telephone lines.
Modem card	An interface card used to connect a computer to the telephone system, in order to transport data from one computer to another over phone lines.
Modulation	The process of changing the characteristic of a signal.
Modules	Discrete components of a computer program that are designed to perform a specific task, but are not part of the main sequential execution path of the program.
Monitor	A display device that forms an image by converting electrical signals from the computer into points of colored light on the screen.
Motherboard	The circuit board in the computer that houses the chips that control the processing functions.
Motion compensation	A video compression technique that stores only the data that changes between one video frame and the next.
MPEG (Motion Picture Experts Group) format	A format used to encode, compress, store, and play back digitized video.
Multimedia	An integrated collection of computer-based media, including text, graphics, sound, animation, photo images, and video.
Multimedia authoring tools	Software that helps the user create multimedia applications.
Multimedia overlay technology	An Internet multimedia technology that adds a seperate window to the user's screen, in which multimedia elements appear.
Multimode cable	a type of fiber-optic cable that has a 50-100 micron core.
Multi-player gaming	Online gaming in which multiple players in various locations participate simultaneously.
Multiple-user license	Legal permission for more than one person to use a particular software package.
Multitasking	Running two or more programs at the same time.
Multiuser operating systems	Operating systems on mainframe and miniconputer systems which provide processing resources to many users at the same time, by means of terminals connected to a single central user.
Mylar disk	The base material used in manufacturing magnetic storage media.