6 Glossary
M
megabyte
(MB) 1,048,576 bytes.
memory
Electronic storage area in a computer that retains information and programs. A
computer has two types of memory — read-only memory (ROM) and random access
memory (RAM).
menu
A video display of programs or options.
microprocessor
A semiconductor central processing unit that is the principal component of a
microcomputer. Usually contained on a single chip that includes an arithmetic logic
unit, control logic, and control-memory unit.
MIDI
Musical Instrument Digital Interface. A standard serial bus, digital interface designed to
connect electronic musical devices. MIDI has no innate sound of its own.
MIR
Medium Infrared, an infrared technology that sends data at 1.152 Mbit/second
(1,152,000 bits per second).
MMX
A set of 57 multimedia instructions built into Intel's Pentium microprocessors. MMX-
enabled microprocessors handle many common multimedia operations, such as digital
signal processing (DSP), that are normally handled by a separate sound or video card.
However, only software especially written to call MMX instructions — MMX-enabled
software — can take advantage of the MMX instruction set.
mode
A method of operation; for example, the NEC Versa operates in either normal or
power-saving modes.
modem
MOdulator-DEModulator. A device that links computers over a telephone line.
MPEG
The MPEG (Moving Pictures Experts Group) standard is used to encode motion
images. The MPEG player program in Windows lets you play back MPEG files.
