Mac = An abbreviation of the popular Macintosh
computers manufactured and sold by Apple Corporation.
These computers contain what is called the Macintosh
Operating System that will only run software written
for that processor. A decade of the revolution in
GUI and hypermedia Mac computing is celebrated in
a book by Levy (1994) that is given an extensive
review in Time Magazine, January 31, 1994,
pp. 93-94. Although software can be added so that
Mac computers will run (in emulation form) many
DOS and Windows programs (slowly), the PC computers
cannot as a rule run Mac programs. Differences between
Mac and PC operating systems have led to constant
frustrations for authors since there is no single
standard for authoring materials that can be used
across the computer market. This is especially frustrating
for authors of CD-ROM learning and entertainment
materials. Mac computers took an early lead in graphics
computing and menu-driven operating systems emulated
later in Windows and OS/2 operating systems. A drawback
for hypermedia developers, however, has been market
share. Apple Corporation has less than 5% of the
worldwide desktop computer market and has lost much
of its competitive lead in graphics and hypermedia
computing. In 1994, Apple's disturbing declines
in market share, even after PowerMacs were introduced,
led Apple Corporation to the first-time licensing
of its operating system to other hardware manufacturers,
notably IBM which will undertake a new joint venture
to produce a new computer running forthcoming versions
of the Mac operating system. Analysts, however,
are skeptical that Apple's licensing agreements
may be too little too late to stop the market share
momentum of Windows 95 and Windows 2000. Apple also
has videotape rendering workstations known as AV
or Mac Video Computers. Video options from Apple
Corporation are reviewed in Birkmaier (1993), Torres (1993), and Tuckerman (1993). Apple's hopes are riding
heavily upon the evolution of a new operating system
called Rhapsody that is a revolutinary
operating system based upon NEXTStep technology. (See also
AIF, QuickTime, Dry camera, Bus, Amiga, Mozart, Copeland, Gershwin, SGI, SUN, PC, PowerPC, GUI, NEXTStep, Operating system, , and Apple AV)
Apple Corporation's operating system for its Mac OS X servers
is called "Darwin." Apple announced
that it will make the Darwin source code available
to developers. It is a variant of UNIX.
Mac AV = (See Apple AV)
Mac OS 8 = (See Copeland .
Mac TV = (See Apple AV)
Macmillan Information SuperLibrary = Is an online World Wide Web database (at mcp.com) to
contents of computer books from Que, Sams Publishers,
Hayden Press, Que College, NRP, Grady, and Adobe
Press. Discount prices are also available to WWW
users. There are other features such as a free online
newsletter sent to your email address. The Macmillan
USA Information SuperLibrary Newsletter is intended
for your own personal use. Feel free to copy this
newsletter and distribute it freely, as long as
it is not for any business or commercial use, and
is not altered, modified, or edited in any way.
For further information about these terms send email
to "info@mcp.com", or write Brian Mansfield,
Marketing Manager-Online Services, Macmillan Digital
USA, 201
W. 103rd Street, Indianapolis,
IN, 46290 (317-581-4941).
Maestro = See Relational
Database
Malibu Graphics Chip = (See Kaleida)
MAPLE = Mathematics computing
software also known as Waterloo Maple, because it
was developed at the University
of Waterloo in Canada. This is a very popular software for both
research and teaching of mathematics. New enhancements
include a spreadsheet interface and interfacing
with mathematics text processors. There are also
interactive graphics and symbolic computing utilities.
MAPLE runs on DOS, Windows, UNIX, and Macintosh
platforms at present. (See also MATLAB and MATHEMATICA)
MATHEMATICA
= Mathematics computing software from Wolfram Research
Inc. in Champaign, Illinois. This is
a widely popular software package used by many major
universities. It is capable of two- and three-dimensional
animated graphics. There are both Mac and Windows
versions that allow users to choose between direct
interaction with the kernel and interaction through
a front end that supports a GUI. The front end allows
users to create Mathematica Notebooks that incorporate
text, graphics, animation, and audio. Many universities
supplement or replace traditional curriculum materials
with Mathematica curricula. (See also MAPLE
and MATLAB)
MATLAB = Mathematical computing software from The Math Works,
24
Prime Park Way, Natlick, MA
01760-1500 (508-653-1415).
Two important features of MATLAB software are the
integration of MATLAB with Microsoft's Word for
Windows and the Symbolic Math Toolbox for advanced
visualizations of mathematical functions. (See also
MAPLE
and MATHEMATICA)
MCA = (See Bus)
MCF = (See RDF.)
MCI = Media Control
Interface established by Microsoft Corporation
that has become a popular standard for Windows authors
and users. MCI menus drop down to let users select
input sources such as CD-Audio inputs, videodisc
inputs, MIDI sequencers, and
auxiliary sources such as inputs from a stereo set
or a videotape player. These standards also mean
that certain types of files should play on MCI systems
(e.g., WAV files should play audio and AVI files
should play video on MCI systems). It is recommended
that any hardware/software purchased for the PC
go beyond MCI standards and be Sound Blaster compatible.
This does not mean that you must buy multimedia
upgrades from Creative Labs. It only means that
your system is compatible with the popular standard
established by Sound Blaster. (See also PCMCIA and MPC) Also, a standard control
interface for multimedia devices and media files,
including a command-message interface and a command-string
interface.
MD = (See Minidisc)
MDA = Model Driven Architecture in information systems
(rather than management's discussion and analysis
MDA in financial reporting). Johanna Ambrosio
states the following in "MDA: Tools for
the Code Generation," Application and Development
Trends, July 2003, Page 27 --- http://www.adtmag.com/article.asp?id =7850
Model-Driven Architecture, or MDA, embodies the conundrum:
Is the glass half full or is it half empty? Even
though the MDA standard is still evolving, many
products claim to be compliant with it and early
adopters are developing apps with them.
MDA vendors claim that today's products can generate between
40% and 80% of the completed code for a given app
based on models created with UML, and customers
and analysts back up those claims. MDA's purported
benefits go beyond automatic code generation and
the reduction of development costs, but those advantages
are longer-term and most have yet to be proven outside
of theoretical conversations. They include factors
like eventual code and model reuse, and more effective
fulfillment of user requirements. One advantage
touted by the MDA camp is the ability to swap out
underlying technologies -- OSs or languages, for
example -- by simply revamping the platform-specific
model and then regenerating the applications.
Still, a split remains between current users of these products
-- mostly architects who speak UML or another modeling
language -- and the targeted group of developers
who believe they can do a better job of writing
apps than any code generator. And it is developers
that need to be convinced that these tools can make
their work lives more meaningful by allowing them
to concentrate on the creative stuff.
MD-Data = (See Minidisc)
Media streaming = (See Web streaming)
megahertz = Unit of measure that
equals a frequency of 1 million cycles per second.
(See also Hertz and kilohertz)
Memory = (See RAM).
Meta Content Framework = (See RDF.)
Metadata = (See RDF.)
Metaverse = From the novel Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson, this term
describes a virtual online representation of reality.
mff = (see MIDI)
MHz = (See megahertz)
Money Backup File (mbf)
I think you have to have Microsoft Money software to read
mbf files. Take a look at http://www.referenceguide.com/reviews/msmoney2003.htm
For this and other file extensions, go to http://www.webopedia.com/quick_ref/fileextensionsm.asp I suggest that
you do a word search at www.microsoft.com or at
Google https://www.google.com/advanced_search?hl =en
Also, MBF stands for Microsoft Binary Format. You can probably
do a Google search or a Microsoft site search for
more information. One document of possible interest
is at http://support.microsoft.com/... I found a conversion link at http://myfileformats.com/download_info.php?id
=6510
I found a conversion link at http://myfileformats.com/download_info.php?id =6510
Microsoft Camcorder = (See Video.)
Microsoft Tiger Video = (See Video server)
Microsoft Video for Windows = (see Video for Windows)
Mid = (See MIDI)
Middleware = second
generation network computing applications extends
data transfers from the client computers back to
the web server and/or database server computers.
Software for doing this is commonly termed "middleware."
Software mediates between an application program
on a server and a network of client machines. Middleware
manages the interaction between applications across
the heterogeneous computing platforms of client
computers. See CORBA and DTP.
MIDI = Musical Instrument
Digital Interface audio standardized
hardware parameters set under MPC standards for
MIDI interfaces that connect electronic keyboards,
synthesizers, and related devices to computers.
Musicians may record music into computer (MIDI)
files that require much less storage space than
WAV files that contain complete files of digitized
sounds. A MIDI file does not contain digitized sound.
Instead, such a file contains the information needed
to play such sounds from a MIDI-compatible device.
Music files may be played back (somewhat analogous
to the old player pianos) on the MIDI. MIDI sound
files are generally of higher quality than their
WAV audio files that play on computers without MIDI
interfaces. The MIDI is extremely popular among
composers and arrangers of music who want to utilize
computer aids in their tasks. The mff and
mid MIDI file formats are popular file extensions
for MIDI files that will run on most PC computers.
(See also Channel and MPC)
MIME = Multipurpose
Internet Mail Extension to
files that tell computers what kind of program to
use to view or run a file. Mimes are typically plug-ins
to browsers that help launch helper apps or user
apps. For use of MIMEs in messaging, see Internet Messaging. (See also Plug-in)
Mimosa = (See Video server)
Minidisc = Is used in a variety
of contexts to depict miniature "MD" optical
discs and/or magnetic discs smaller than the standard
4.72 inch CD. Some MD alternatives such as the
Sony MD Data 2.5 inch disk are smaller than floppy discs but hold nearly as much
as a CD-ROM. The Sony version holds up to 74 minutes
of CD quality audio or 140 Mb of data storage. The
most typical MD size is the 2.5 inch audio disc. The term MD-Data refers to
a minidisc used to record computer files and hypermedia
presentations. MD options are reviewed by Miastkowski (1994).
MIPS = Million Instructions
Per Second benchmark for rating computer
processor CPU speed. Comparisons of MIPS ratings,
however, can be misleading since the speed of access
to peripheral equipment has become so important
in overall computing performance.
MMDS = Multipoint Multichannel Distribution Service using neighborhood line-of-sight
microwave antennas to transmit wireless data from
homes to Internet providers. Cable companies are
employing this technology that will allow for fast
wireless Internet connections to homes and businesses.
See also DSL and ISDN.
Modem = Process of converting
digitized data into analog form for a carrier wave.
Demodulation transforms data transmitted in analog
form back into digital form for computer storage
and/or processing. Modems modulate and demodulate
computer data for transmission on telephone lines.
Fax modems have the added capability of importing
facsimiles received over phone lines directly into
computer files. Cable TV modems offer transmitting
speeds of over five times those of ISDN modems.
The term "ricochet modem" is sometimes
used to depict a wireless connection of a computer
to the Internet. The product Ricochet Modem is brick-sized
connector from Metricom Inc. that is a special kind
of radio connector to the Internet in metropolitan
areas having Ricochet's receivers for Internet connections.
The early applications of the Ricochet Modem are
reviewed in Mossberg (1996). (See also ISDN, DSL, MMDS, and ADC)
Downstream (download) refers to the transmission of network
datainto
your computer from another computer. Upstream (upload)
refers to transmission of network data out of your
computer into another computer on the network. In
other words, messages or data sent to you go downstream
and messages or data sent by you go upstream. At
the present time the fastest analog modems that
convert analog phone line downloads into digital
data on your computer (or vice versa for uploads)
run at 56 Kbps (56,000 bits per second). Most users,
however, are still using 28.8 Kbps modems. An ISDN
line doubles capacity to 128 Kbps. The new DSL (Digital
Subscriber Line) offered by phone companies increases
this up to 6400 Kbps. However, Asymetric Digital
Subscriber Line (ADsL) can go up to 6 Mbps downstream
and 640 Kbps upstream. ADC Kentrix has a report discussing
DSL and ASDL.
Morphing = Process of special
effects video and/or computer animation that distorts
images in motion. What started out in the movies
as perverse distortions and unreal "morphed"
images has gained respectability in science as a
means of visualizing data and dynamic changes in
data. Originally, morphing was only something professionals
could do on very expensive workstations. Now morphing
software and hardware requirements are much more
modest. See Burger (1994b) for an easy-to-read
description of the morphing process. (See also Animation)
Mosaic = A menu-driven and
user-friendly hypertext system (also called NCSA
Mosaic) of Internet sites that facilitate searching
and browsing of documents and files around the world.
Mosaic has largely been overtaken by more modern
web browsers. (See Web browsers) For users not connected
to the Internet, Mosaic can also be used with SLIP.
Mosaic combines various former Internet servers
such as Gopher Servers, World Wide Web, InterNIC
InfoSource, ftp Sites, Finger Gateway, Whois Gateway,
and Home Pages. Stefanac (1994) provides both a brief
history of the Internet and an excellent review
(including Internet addresses of World Wide Web
sites with their Uniform Resource Locator Addresses)
of newer options for transmitting graphics, audio,
and video over Mosaic networks. Rivera, Singh, and McAlister (1994) term Mosaic as an "educator's best friend." Key
features include world wide free networking by graphical
interfacing to text, pictures, digitized video,
and audio. Clicking on a highlighted Mosaic hotword
or phrase (indicating a hyperlinked term) will complete
a connection to the appropriate server to display
documents, graphics, audio, or other multimedia
files. Mosaic is becoming even more popular than
Gopher largely due to the graphics-orientation of
Mosaic and commercial developers of Mosaic interfaces.
Internet users interested in Mosaic should contact
the Software Development Group, National Center
for Supercomputing Applications, 605 E. Springfield,
Champaign, IL 61820 (217-244-0072). The e-mail address
is mosaic@ncsa.uiuc.edu. Newsweek on October 31,
1994, page 60, asserts that NCSA Mosaic "free
software works widely but not well." Enhanced
NCSA from Spyglass Inc. and Netscape from Mosaic
Communications Corporation have improved Mosaic
code. James Clark, former CEO of Silicon Graphics
Corporation, on May 16, 1994 announced the opening
of Mosaic Communications Corporation in Mountain
View, CA (415-254-1900) to develop software that
interfaces business firms with direct Internet access.
This interfacing development company has tough competitors
such as Spry Inc. in Seattle, WA (206-447-0300)
and others according to Information Week, May 23,
1994, p. 20. Spry Inc. specializes in connectivity
tools for Microsoft Windows and has a new Mosaic
interface ready for shipment. According to PC Computing,
July 1994, p. 113:
Mosaic does the seemingly impossible: And its free! Mosaic
provides easy net navigation by using hypertext
links, and it lets you view graphics and embedded
sounds while you're online.
For web browsers see Web browsers, GINA, Gopher, Internet, and SLIP.
Motherboard = A circuit board or
"logic board" inside the computer that
contains the central processing unit (CPU), microprocessor
support chips, RAM, and slots for adding expansion
boards such as audio, scanner, SCSI, and video boards.
Multimedia chips such as DSP audio and video chips
will increasingly be put on the motherboard rather
than on expansion boards.
Mov = (See QuickTime)
Mozart = The name given to
Apple's operating system 7.5 for Mac and PowerPC
computers. New features include multitasking, improved
networking, better multimedia support, and DOS/Windows
capabilities. (See also Mac, PowerPC, Operating system, Copeland, Gershwin, and Rhapsody)
MP3 = (See Audio.) Alternatives
for creating MP3 audio files are given at http://www.trinity.edu/rjensen/book99q4.htm#MP3
MPC = A Multimedia
PC refers to combinations of PC hardware
that meet multimedia hardware-combination (e.g.,
audio and video boards for computers) standards
set by the Multimedia Marketing Council to make
multimedia hardware products of vendors more compatible.
The MPC1 Level 1 standard requires a 386 PC with
a minimum of 2 Mb of RAM. The MPC2 Level 2 standard
requires a 486SX or greater PC with 4 Mb of RAM.
A variety of PC manufacturers use the MPC trademark.
Consumers can then be assured that MPC hardware
from one vendor will be compatible with hardware
of another vendor. Also, software written for MPC
hardware should run on any MPC equipment. The term
is generally used in conjunction with CD-ROM multimedia
hardware. A CD-ROM player, for example, should run
on a computer with an MPC trademark provided the
player is MPC compatible. It is probably best not
to invest in multimedia PC hardware that is not
compatible with MPC standards. In the future, MPC
standards will dwindle in importance as more and
more vendors build audio and video hardware on the
motherboard rather than as boards to place into
expansion slots. However, Spanbauer (1993b), p. 42) observes that
MPCs will "hang on" into the near future
due to the number of computer manufacturers that
find them to be lower cost and lower price alternatives.
Brown and Lombardi (1994) review the new Level
2 MPC upgrade kits and provide consumer ratings
of the vendor alternatives. A review of hardware
options is given in NewMedia, July 15, 1996, p.
19. (See also MIDI and MCI)
MPC upgrade = (See Multimedia upgrade)
MPEG = Moving Pictures
Experts Group systems boards and compression
standards (e.g., MPEG-2 and MPEG-1) for the most
popular emerging form of compressed full-motion
video standard for computer file storage. MPEG compression
requires MPEG playback boards and/or MPEG authoring
boards such as the Optibase MPG-1000 digital video
codec (compression/decompression)
board (800-451-5101). Although MPEG-2 is superior
to MPEG-1, MPEG-2 requires at least quad speed CD-ROMs
that, thereby, limits the use of MPEG-2
in the commercial market. MPEG-2 works much better
with CD-DVD. However, even MPEG-1
is considered a better video compression alternative
than its competitors. Full-motion video at over
30 frames per second takes up so much digitized
storage that video must be compressed to make it
more useful in hypermedia. In 1996, Miro Computer
Products (415-855-0955) introduced the first JPEG video capture card for
less than $1,000 that will encode (capture) video
in compressed MPEG format. MPEG video files have
an mpg file extension and will not run on
computers that do not have special MPEG playback
hardware/software installed. MPEG playback hardware
is becoming standard in most new computer models.
(See also Active video, Compression, DVI, Indeo, Video, Video for Windows, QuickTime, MCI, Ultimedia Video, and JPEG) Also, a digital video
standard developed by the Motion Pictures Experts
Group.
mpg = (See MPEG)
MS-DOS = (See DOS)
MS-Windows = (See Windows)
MTS/SAP = Multichannel
Television Sound and Second
Audio Program dbx system for compressing
stereo audio in a technical fashion too complicated
to explain here. (See also dbx)
MUDs, MOOs, MUSes and MUSHes = Multi-User Dimensions or Multiple
User Dungeon, or Multiple User Dialogue. These are
extensions of Dungeons and Dragons that seduced
"adolescents" into a network world of
imaginary places. Now there are serious social and
education MUDs. Some of the many types are reviewed
in Basic Information About MUDs and MUDding. There are extensions
such as Multi-user,
Object-Oriented MOO applications
that, along with MUDs, have become serious educational
experiments and applications. For example, Conlon (1997) reports on the MOOville writing workshop for over 2500 students
per semester at the University of Florida. Click
here for a summary of it in Jensen and Sandlin (1997).
Another less extreme extension is the MUSH which,
like a MUD, is an electronic space in which multiple
persons (players, users, students) socialize, create
"worlds," and interact in gaming or serious
episodes. For a discussion of the history and applications
of MUSHes, see The Mush Manual by Lydia Leong. Also
see MUDs, MOOs, and Muses. The variations differ
more in terms of underlying codes than in purpose
and application.
For an early overview of MUDs see Germain (1993). The addictive powers
of MUDS and the fantasy world of LambdaMOO are discussed
by Hafner (1994). MUDs and extensions
such as MOOs and MUSHes are no longer viewed as
merely interactive games. They have become serious
paradigms for education and training. For a summary
of MOOville and its outcomes see Chapter 2 of Jensen and Sandlin (1997). MUDs are particulary intriguing as education paradigms
for reaching students who perform poorly in traditinal
classroom settings. (See also Games)
Multimedia = The ability to combine
audio, visual, and possibly other types of hardware
into a presentation. For example, a "multimedia"
classroom will typically have projection hardware
and switching controls that make it easy for teachers
to switch back and forth between computer projections,
videotape projections, audio CDs, 35mm slides, videodiscs,
CD-I players, etc. Although hypermedia presentations
may require multimedia facilities, the two terms
are not synonymous. Hardware and software options
are discussed in considerable detail in Chapter
3. Career opportunities in authoring multimedia
are discussed by Jerram (1994a). Courses, trade shows,
and literature on learning how to author multimedia
works are summarized by Lindstrom (1994). At the moment, multimedia
hardware technology is in a greater state of change.
For a discussion, see Document 7 at http://www.trinity.edu/rjensen. Brickman and Manning (1995) discuss how student
laboratories might be designed for multimedia technologies.
(See also Video/audio networking and Hypermedia)
Multimedia database = (See Database)
Multimedia upgrade = Hardware additions (usually insert boards or plug-and-play
devices) to computers that make some aspect of multimedia
operational. The lowest form of upgrade is an audio
upgrade kit. This is usually followed by a digital
video upgrade kit. Other upgrades may include CD-ROM
players, videodisc players, video scan converters,
mixers, speakers, video editing systems, etc. Common
upgrades meet MPC standards. (See also MPC and Multimedia)
Multimedia Video Processor = A DSP multimedia processing chip from Texas Instruments
that is claimed to be 20 to 50 times more powerful
than Intel's Pentium according to Information Week,
March 14, 1994, p. 10. The MVP processor combines
parallel-processing, DSP, and RISC technology.
Multisession recording = Creating a disk in several stages
rather than all at once. (See also Single-session recording and CD-R)
Multitasking = Execution of programs
simultaneously on a single computer. In newer operating
systems, two or more programs may be running "in
the background" while the user is concentrating
on another program running "in the foreground."
Limits on how many programs can be run at the same
time depend more upon hardware capacities, especially
RAM amounts. Most operating systems now have multitasking
capabilities. Multitasking differs from multiloading
in which RAM contains multiple programs that can
only be run one at a time. (See also Operating system)