COMPSALE

Computer Terminology - M

If you find a term not covered in this file you may and list the word (computer connected terminology ONLY). We will endeavour to locate the meaning and respond to you. If we consider it a common enough term, we will add it to our list. New terminology (with explanation) may also be submitted for consideration.

machine: Commonly used for "computer".

machine language: A program in the form of a series of binary codes that are understandable by the CPU. 99.9% of the time programmers write their code in another "higher level" programming language which in turn translates their code into machine language.

mailbomb: The act of sending massive amounts of email to a single address with the malicious intent of disrupting the system of the recipient. Mailbombing is considered a serious breach of Netiquette and is probably illegal.

mailing list: A discussion group that occurs via mass email distributions. Mailing lists are usually maintained by individuals utilizing list server software. List servers maintain a list of email addresses to be used for the mailing list. Subscribing and unsubscribing to the list is accomplished by sending a properly formatted email message to the list server. There are two types of mailing lists: moderated and unmoderated. To send a message to an unmoderated list, you email it to the list server which automatically emails your message to every name on the list. To send a message to a moderated list, you email it to the mailing list's moderator who would then send it on to the list server for distribution.

Mainframe: A very large, fast, multiuser computer. Usually at least as big as a refrigerator.

matrix: A superset of the Internet that includes all networks and computers that can exchange email.

Mb: Megabyte. Equal to 1,048,576 bytes, usually rounded off to one million bytes.

Mbone: See Multicast Backbone.

MCDBA: Microsoft Certified Database Administrator. This is the premier certification for professionals who implement and administer Microsoft SQL Server databases.

MCP: Microsoft Certified Professional. This is for individuals who have the skills to successfully implement a Microsoft product or technology as part of a business solution in an organization. Hands-on experience with the product is necessary to successfully achieve certification.

MCSE: Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer. This is the premier certification for professionals who enhance, deploy, and manage sophisticated intranet and Internet solutions based on Microsoft Windows NT® and Microsoft server software.

MCSD: Microsoft Certified Solution Developer. This is the premier certification for professionals who design and develop leading-edge business solutions with Microsoft development tools, technologies, platforms, and the Microsoft Windows® DNA architecture.

MCT: Microsoft Certified Trainer. These are instructionally qualified and technically certified by Microsoft to deliver MOC or MSDN Training instructor–led courses. meltdown: A state of complete network overload that grinds all traffic to a halt.

Memory: A computer device or series of devices that store information. Computer memory is measured in terms of the amount of information it can store, commonly in megabytes or gigabytes.

Menu: A list of options that users can choose from.

message header: The information at the beginning of an email or bulletin board message. Message headers contain the identities of the author and recipients, the subject of the message, and the date the message was sent.

MHz: Megahertz. One million Hertz. One million cycles per second. Unit of measure for band and bandwidth, or for processor speed of a computer CPU, in millions of computer clock cycles per second. The speed in the CPU refers to the number of switchings that can occur per second.

Microprocessor: A complete central processing unit (CPU) contained on a single silicon chip.

MIME: See Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions.

Mirror Site: An exact copy of a website, usually located on a different computer. Designed to spread traffic flow when the site is popular

MMX: Multimedia Extensions. An enhancement in processor architecture that enhanced multimedia and communications. This technology processes multiple data elements in parallel, speeding up such things as image processing, motion video, speech synthesis, telephony, and 3D graphics.

mission critical: Indispensable. Usually describes applications such as databases or process control software that are deemed essential to a company's operation and that typically run on mainframes or workstation rather than on personal computers. A nuclear power plant's operator console software is mission critical.

MOC: Microsoft Official Curriculum. Consist of courses developed by the Microsoft Training and Certification group that educate computer professionals who develop, support, and implement Microsoft products, technologies, and solutions.

Modem: Modulator demodulator. Modems allow computers to transmit information to one another via an ordinary telephone line.

modem mantra: The sound a modem makes while connecting with another modem.

moderator: A person or small group of people who manage a mailing list or newsgroup. Moderators determine which messages can be seen by the entire group. See also mailing list.

mods: Hacker slang for modifcations to hardware or software, especially bug fixes or minor design changes.

moof: When you get disconnected from the Internet for no apparent reason, it's common to blame the Moof monster. For example, when returning to a chat after being unintentionally disconnected, you can tell your cyberbuddies, "Sorry I left so suddenly, I got moofed!"

MorF?: Abbreviation of "Male of Female?"

Mosaic: The original WWW browser developed at University of Illinois. Mosaic has been superceded by commercial browsers like Netscape Navigator.

MP3: A subset of the MPEG system used for audio information only.

MPEG: Motion/Moving Picture Expert Group. A standard system for encoding and decoding video that allows for better than VHS quality video and almost CD quality audio by utilising advanced compression techniques.

MSDN: Microsoft Developer Network. Consist of courses developed by the Microsoft Training and Certification group that educate computer professionals who develop, support, and implement Microsoft products, technologies, and solutions.

MS-Dos: Microsoft Disk Operating System

MUD: Multi User Domain. Basically a space on the Internet that is occupied by users with created identities. Usually used as a communication and chat domain.

Multicast Backbone: (abbreviation: Mbone) A high speed network protocol used to broadcast audio and video over the Internet.

Multimedia: Combining static media (such as text and pictures) with dynamic media (such as sound, video, and animation) on the same system. Often referred to as MM.

Multimedia Gulch: The South of Market area of San Francisco where many Internet development firms are located.

multiplexor: A complex piece of telephone equipment which combines the data stream of several leased lines for transmission over a single higher bandwidth leased line. Multiplexors are used in the construction of WANs.Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions: A standard system for the transfer of sound and graphic files via Email.

Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME), refers to the code that defines the content of Internet Message, including those related to multimedia. This process, basically, allows the use of non-text characters in an Internet message. For a very comprehensive extensive explanation.

Multitasking: The ability of a computer, operating system, or application to perform more than one task or operation at the same time. For example, a multitasking operating system might let you simultaneously use your computer system to download information from a remote computer with a modem, print out a word processing file, and sort a database.