machine language
Language instructions that are understood by a computer or processor as opposed to humans.
macro
A user defined or user created sequence of events that can be stored and reused by an application or program.
magnetic media
Any electronic storage material that uses magnetic recording techniques, such as audio tapes and floppy disks.
mailbox
An area where email is stored for a particular user.
mail merge
A technique which allows names and addresses to be fed into a document. This allows one letter to be sent to hundreds of different people, all with their correct names and addresses inserted properly.
mainframe
A large, fast computer used primarily for research or multiple users.
main memory -
main()
A routine required by the C and C++ programming languages to denote where execution of the program will start.
maintenance release
A small update to a software program, often fixing minor problems.
maps
A relational graph, depicting how a group of objects interact with each other. Used to store 3D objects,
planar textures, and flow diagrams. Texturual maps are calculated for their surfaces, while brush maps use
predefined characteristics. Bitmaps contain information regarding visual imagery or memory configurations.
mapping
The process of relating information between objects, or of placing visual imagery upon surfaces and objects.
MED
A public domain music editor by Teijo Kennen, supporting the Sound Tracker format and its own custom format.
megabyte
A measure of storage space, equaling 1024 kilobytes.
memory
The area where data is stored temporarily in order to work with programs and any software.
menu
A list of commands accessible by the menu button of the mouse, displayed in upper most bar of a screen.
menu button
The right mouse button, used to display a window's menu.
message port
An accessible location of an application designed to send and receive messages, such as with ARexx.
MicroPace
A large distributor of Amiga hardware and software products.
MIDI
A music and audio based expansion bus.
MMU
Memory Management Unit, used by Amiga UNIX, EMPLANT, and operating systems that use memory protection.
MNP
Error correction protocols.
modem
A hardware device used to send data between computers, often over telephone lines.
· An ATM machine uses a modem to send and retrieve data from the bank's mainframes to the ATM machine. This allows any authorized ATM machine to support the bank's customers.
Modeler
NewTek's 3D object modeling software, for use with the Video Toaster.
module
A musical score designed to be played with a module player, containing the notes to be played along with sampled or synthesized musical instruments.
monaural
An audio output format that allows only one channel of output, consisting of all available outputs combined.
monochrome
A video mode allowing only two colors.
More
A text reader used to display text to the Shell or CLI, pausing at each page.
morph
A transition of one image or object into another.
motherboard
The computer hardware that contains the chips and expansion required to operate a computer.
motion blur
Process of blurring an image to give it the appearance of motion.
mount -
mouse
A handheld device used to control the sprite cursor on the screen, by placing imaginary screen coordinates on a tabletop surface.
mouse pointer
A cursor used to direct the attention of the
user, capable of notifying the operating system or GUI where and how an operation should occur. Capable of
clicking on gadgets, dragging windows, and selecting menus. The standard Amiga pointer uses hardware sprite 0.
MPEG
A video and animation compression format.
MS-DOS
An outdated operating system.
MUI
Magic User Interface.
multimedia
The combination of different output formats, such as text, graphics, and audio, into a single presentation.
multiscan
A type of monitor capable of syncing to a wide range of frequencies.
multi serial board
A hardware board that contains one or more serial ports that may be used to connect to multiple computers.
multisync
A type of monitor capable of syncing to a wide range of frequencies.
MultiView
A Workbench tool designed to operate on various file types, such as to display an image or animation, or hear an audio sample or musical score.