machine code: The actual program code a computer executes. Programmers write in source code, which a compiler converts into machine code (also called object code, executable code, or binary code). Machine code is specific to a particular microprocessor architecture, so a program compiled for an x86 processor won't run on a PowerPC processor or vice versa.
Macintosh: A family of personal computers from Apple, introduced in 1984. It was the first computer to popularize the graphical user interface (GUI).
magnetoresistance: Lord Kelvin discovered magnetoresistance in 1857 when he noticed the slight change in the electrical resistance of a piece of iron when he placed it in a magnetic field. In 1991, IBM introduced the first MR head, which used a strip of magnetoresistive material to detect bits, permitting the ferrite/coil structure to be optimized for simply writing. Because strength of the inductive signal when reading depended on the speed with which the bits passed beneath the head, its performance suffered as disk diameters decreased. The response of the MR read element had no such dependence. Because it was sensitive enough to detect smaller and smaller bits, the MR head permitted increases in data storage densities that have exceeded 60 percent a year. Earlier, MR heads were used in less demanding applications of price-tag and badge readers (read-only) and magnetic tape (1985).
magnetoresistive heads: Magnetoresistive heads use a separate read and write elements for optimized read and write capabilities. The read element is composed of a thin-film material whose resistance changes when near a magnetic field. This in turn produces a stronger signal that allows for greater areal densities and larger disk capacities.
Magnetoresistive Extended: IBM's fifth generation of MR head design allows for a smaller areal density (number of bits per square inch) of up to 3Gbits/inch2. The MRX head is no bigger than the head of a pin and incorporates new technologies that allow it to send out stronger signals than older heads, allowing it to read and write larger volumes of info.
main memory: The silicon wafers that act as a buffer between the CPU and the hard disk.
mainframes: Large computers used by big businesses. Before the invention of minicomputers and personal computers, all computers were mainframes. A typical modern mainframe is the IBM S/390.
master: A single IDE bus can support two devices--a "master" device and a "slave" device (the slave device is directly connected to the master device, receiving I/O via a pass-through cable). Only master devices can boot-up the computer.
Master Boot Record: The MBR is a program that exists on the first physical sector of a hard drive and other media such as CD-ROMs, floppies and Zip disks that are used to boot a system. It also contains the Partition Table.metalanguage A language for designing other languages. XML is an example of a metalanguage for designing document markup languages. It's derived from SGML, a more complete metalanguage.
matrix multiplication: A mathematical process, commonly used by 3D graphics programs, in which the computer multiplies and adds two sets of numbers together. One set is the coordinate matrix and the other set is the transform matrix. The result of matrix multiplication is a new coordinate matrix.
Maximum Transmission Unit: The size of the largest data packets that your machine will send over a network. If your machine sends out packets that are larger than what can be digested by the network you're working on, the packets will be broken up into smaller chunks. This can lead to slow transmission speeds as your communications software struggles to account for all the sundry fragments.
MBR: see Master Boot Record
MDF: (enclosure) Medium Density Fiberboard. Also known as particle board, it's a type of wood that's actually made up of wood chips glued together and pressed into workable sheets. Often used in the making of speaker enclosures due to its cheap pricing. Damages easily.
Mecha: An anime term that's used to describe any type of mechanized robot. When used by itself, it usually refers to a humanoid robot. When used in front of another noun (ie Mecha-Godzilla), it's used to describe a mechanized version of that noun.
media in DirectX: the layer of multimedia APIs built on top of DirectX Foundation to make it easier for multimedia developers to program certain multimedia functionality (such as video playback and Internet streaming support) without worrying about the intricacies of the hardware.
MediaGX: A CPU from Cyrix that integrates sound, video, and core-logic control on the processor die.
megapixel: Category of digital camera whose total pixel count exceeds 100,000. This is determined by multiplying the camera's horizontal resolution by its vertical resolution (i.e., 1280x960=128,800).
memory controller: A chip (or part of a chip) that manages the interface between a microprocessor and its associated memory chips. The efficiency of the controller partly determines how fast the processor can access memory.
memory controller chip: Silicon that controls the OpenGL API and differentiates graphics memory from main system memory.
Memphis beta: The code name for the successor to Windows 95 before Microsoft took the plunge on the risque Windows 98 name.
meshes: The computer representation of a 3D object. A collection of polygonal facets that approximate the surface of a 3D object on screen.
metaballs: Modeling and animation technique using spherical or elliptical 3D objects in groups with gravitational attraction for one another. The closer they move together, the more they meld into an amorphous mass, with each object retaining its independence of movement. Perfect for modeling organic shapes.
method: A subroutine in object-oriented languages. Objects have methods that perform tasks. An object named Circle might have methods named draw (which draws a circle on the screen) and fill (which fills the circle with color). The instruction Circle.draw() would call Circle's draw method. (See function and procedure.)
MicroATX: A new miniature formfactor specified by Intel to address the near- and sub-$1,000 market. It cuts down on cost by leaving out expansion slots, but is still compatible with ATX cases.
microcode: Low-level instructions or commands that can be executed to perform a particular function.
microcontroller: A small microprocessor chip that's found inside a non-PC device, such as an appliance, an industrial machine, or a vehicle. Often, microcontrollers are older CPUs that are no longer considered powerful enough for desktop computers.
microprocessor core: The central part of a microprocessor chip that carries out program instructions. It's also referred to as the "logic." To assist the core, a microprocessor usually incorporates fast local memory, known as cache. Sometimes cores are designed to be used in highly customized chips for specialized applications.
MIDI: Musical Instrument Digital Interface. MIDI files (typically found in games or posted on web sites) trigger a set of recorded samples in your computer's soundcard and define how the samples will be played back according to pitch, tempo, and rhythm. The result is lo-fi, robotic-sounding music. But because MIDI files are mere triggering mechanisms, and not large, bandwidth-intensive CD-quality audio files, they can be implemented in games without suffering a performance hit. The sound of MIDI-based music is ultimately dependent on the quality of a soundcard's sample library. There are 16 MIDI "channels" for each of 16 "ports." Each channel is assigned to a particular instrument or effect, which is in turn assigned a port. Anything on the same port and channel will respond to the MIDI events that correspond.
miniGL driver: A software driver that interfaces between the videocard and an application that uses only part of the OpenGL instruction calls (hence the term "mini"). The videocard is then able to perform OpenGL commands via this driver.
Minox: An uber-tiny film camera popular with operations such as Hogan's Heroes and the Mission: Impossible crew.
mip-mapping: Technique used to generate scaled texture maps that involves creating sub-images sized for every inverse power of two, i.e. 1/4, 1/16, 1/32, etc. The process of creating a mip-map takes time, and larger textures will require longer.
MIPS: Acronym for million instructions per second. MIPS roughly measures the number of instructions a computer can execute in a single second. The higher the MIPS, the faster the PC is.
MIS: Management of Information Systems. It's the department that installs and maintains computers at medium- to large-sized companies. Also known as the IT (information technology) department.
mixed-mode: A CD that includes both computer data and digital audio tracks. The data is written on Track #1 and the audio is contained in the subsequent tracks.
MMX: Unofficially it stands for Multimedia Extensions, though Intel insists it's just a brand name. Introduced in early 1997, MMX consists of 57 new instructions that speed up some multimedia tasks in x86-compatible microprocessors. It's also supported by chipmakers AMD, Cyrix (National Semiconductor), and Centaur Technology (IDT).
Model: A previous example or methodology to compare to or analyze your current plan or idea.
modeler: 3D software module or program used to construct geometry to be used for animation.
modeling: A way of devising algorithms for processing sound based on imitating the equations that govern natural sound.
modelling light: Lights built into studio flash units that stay on continuously (as opposed to the burst of the flash head) and allow photographers to aim and shape the light the head will produce.
Morpheus technology: A method of continuously changing, or "morphing," sounds from one audible effect to another, using extremely high order resonant digital filtering, first used in the E-mu product called "Morpheus."
motion compensation: An algorithm that reduces shearing in DVD video playback.
Motion Graphics Module: A hardware board that accelerates 2D and 3D transitions
motion-blur: A visual effect used to simulate high-speed motion, usually by blurring your field of vision slightly when rapid movement from one direction to the next is displayed.
motion capture: Animation sequences that are recorded from the motion of real people or animals.
motion compensation: An algorithm that reduces shearing in DVD video playback.
multitexturing: The process of applying multiple textures to polygons in a model.
MPEG: Moving Picture Experts Group. The name of a family of standards used for coding audio-visual information (movies, video, and music) in a digitally compressed format. MPEG-1 was the first standard developed by the group and coded an audio-visual signal at a bit rate around 1.5Mbps, about the same as VHS. It's primarily used for CD-ROMs and VCDs (Video CD). MPEG-1 provides a resolution of 352x240 at 30fps in 24-bit color. Audio is CD quality with a format of 256Kbps at 48Hz in two channels (stereo). MPEG-2 was designed to produce higher-quality images at higher bit rates (3 to 10Mbps). It delivers true broadcast-quality video at a resolution of 720x486. It's also the standard specified for DVD. MPEG-2 supports AC3 Dolby Digital audio with surround sound, providing up to six separate channels.
MPEG 1, Layer 3 a.k.a. MP3: A compression scheme optimized for music audio and the current lingua franca of Internet music.
MPEG-2: A widely supported audio/video standard formulated by the Moving Picture Experts Group. It defines methods for compressing and decompressing audio and video data to conserve resources in computers, digital TVs, and other multimedia devices.
MP3: MPEG Layer 3. An audio compression format that can reduce a four-minute song into a 4MB file of near-CD-quality music--perfect for sending across the Internet.
MTC: MIDI Time Code. A way of synchronizing audio and video equipment. It's similar to SMPTE, but is usually internally generated rather than striped on a tape. It is unaffected by song tempo.
Multi-Link Protocols: Point-to-Point Protocol that allows multiple connections to be bundled together dynamically or on-the-fly to increase bandwidth.
multipass texturing: The process of applying multiple textures to polygons in a model by performing multiple texturing passes (called blending) until the image is completed.
multiple lighting engines: Rendering algorithms that enhance the performance of 3D light rendering.
multiple parallel streams: The ability to send and receive multiple graphic and video instructions simultaneously.
multiread: CD-ROM and DVD-ROM drives adhering to this specification can read commercial CDs (both data and audio), gold CD-R discs, and rewritable CD-RW discs (with both fixed- or variable-packets).
multisession: A method of adding data incrementally to a disc, allowing additional data to be added to a disc that was burned previously. The data is linked between each session and is seen as a single logical structure.
multitexture: The process of applying multiple textures to polygons in a model. This is usually done by performing multiple texturing passes (called blending) until the image is completed.
multithreaded: Most often referenced when talking about
operating systems. Back in the DOS days, single-threaded programs predominated,
that is, programs that executed only one path through their code at a time.
Multithreaded programs may have several threads running through different
code paths simultaneously.
nanotechnology: A field of science whose goal is to control
individual atoms and molecules to create computer chips and other devices
that are thousands of times smaller than current technologies permit.
native code: Program code that runs on a native platform. It's another term for platform-specific object code.
native platform: The underlying CPU and operating system of a computer. It determines what kind of software can run on the machine.
near field: The area of a 3D scene that is close to the camera. 3D objects in this area will be larger and details will be more apparent.
near-field response: An audio term that refers to the sonic characteristics of a speaker system. Near-field response speakers sound best when you are positioned really close (or near) to them. A far-field response speaker, well, you get the hint.
neodymium magnet: A rare earth magnet. Stronger than conventional magnets, neodymium is used in situations where you want a smaller magnet, but do not wish to give up magnetic strength. Often used in automotive speakers, neodymium has made its way into the computer desktop speaker arena.
neophyte: One who is new to the dark arts of computer usage. Training happens invisibly and mastery is a direct correlation between money spent on upgrades and the time it took to get them running.
nested: A technique for embedding a toolbar or floating palette with additional elements that are not immediately visible. Instead these secondary tools require another drag or a click to access.
nested tables: Used to describe the occurrence of tables placed within other tables, usually for presentation effects.
NetBEUI: NetBIOS Extended User Interface. A networking protocol used by Windows For Workgroups and Windows NT.
NetBIOS: Network Basic Input/ Output System. This is basically software that allows computers and applications to communicate with each other over the same cabled DOS and Windows network. NetBIOS was originally native to the NetBEUI transport-layer protocol, but today it can work with both TCP/IP and IPX/SPX. NetBIOS computers use a unique 15-character name to communicate. This name are translated to IP addresses (via an LMHOSTS file or a WINS server) for TCP/IP.
network requestor: A networking protocol that determines whether application requests are to be handled locally or on a remote computer.
NIC: Network Interface Card. A shortened term that refers to network adapters.
Ni-MH: Nickel Metal Hybrid. Variety of rechargeable battery.
NLE: Nonlinear Editing. The ability to drop a video or audio clip between two other clips, as opposed to "linear editing" where you can only add clips after previous ones.
NLX formfactor: A new low-profile modular motherboard formfactor for thin desktop PCs and arcade machines. NLX's profile design requires expansion cards, such as videocards, and so forth, to be lower in height than an AT/ATX-bound expansion card.
NOD: Proprietary native file format used in NetObjects Fusion.
node: Any computer connected to a network is referred to as a node.
No-ID sector formatting: A hard drive technology from IBM that allows disk drives to be formatted more efficiently, improving the capacity, reliability, and performance. It works by storing the ID (or header) information in solid-state memory instead of on the disk surface. This increases the capacity of each track without impacting the linear density. It also dramatically increases track density when combined with a magnetoresistive head.
Normal IDE Mode Type Translation is mapped through the BIOS. This translation is only good for drives below the 528MB range due to its inability to address settings above 1,024 cylinders, 16 heads, and 63 sectors per track.
noisy: Not quiet. PCs are a hotbed of noise. For soundcards, reducing the overall noise is important to improve the overall sound quality of the output. Noise is a random signal, typically perceived as "hiss." Many electronic processes generate noise and are said to be "noisy."
nonlinear: Not obeying linear mathematics. Nonlinear electronic processes can do more complex things, as they can introduce new frequencies into the sounds being processed. But they are more complex to design and analyze and can often cause undesirable distortion.
nonstandardized code: Programming languages, such as HTML, have industry-accepted standards that a group of experts in the field have agreed on. Sometimes software used to create this code does not follow the industry standard because the application works faster if it uses proprietary code.
northbridge: The single chip in a core-logic chipset that connects the CPU to the system memory and the AGP and PCI buses.
NPC: Nonplayer character. In gaming parlance, a character that affects the outcome of a game but that is not played by a participant in the game.
NTFS: The New Technology File System is used solely by Windows NT. It uses a Unicode character set and supports long filenames up to 255 characters. It's strength lies in complete "government level" security and the ability to recover from crashes. It's also a pure 32-bit file system that cannot be seen by OSes using FAT16 or FAT32. It cannot see partitions configured with FAT32 file systems.
NTSC: National Television Standards Commission. The NTSC is responsible for defining broadcast specifications. If you're working on an NTSC video, you'll want to set your capture rate to 29.97 frames per second.
NURBS: Non-Uniform Rational B-Spline. A mathematical representation
of a three-dimensional object.
object: A structure in an object-oriented program that consists of variables
and methods. It's analogous to a subroutine in procedural languages.