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Main Glossary page

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 high-level computer designed for intensive computational tasks and used by large corporations. Mainframes are often shared by multiple users connected to the computer via terminals. Originally refers to the cabinet containing the CPU of a room-sized batch-processing machine.
 

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

Mbone -- See Multicast Backbone.
 

meltdown -- A state of complete network overload that grinds all traffic to a halt.
 

menu -- A list of options, each of which performs a desired action such as choosing a command or applying a particular format to a part of a document. Menu's are commonly used in graphical interfaces.
 

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.
 

MIME -- See Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions.
 

mirror site -- A server which contains a duplicate of another WWW or FTP site. Mirror sites are created when the traffic on the original site becomes too heavy for a single server. Often mirror sites are located in different geographic areas allowing users to choose the site closest to them.
 

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.
 

modem -- A device that enables a computer to send and receive information over a telephone line. Internal modems are circuit cards that are plugged straight into the computer's motherboard. External modems are small electronic boxes attached to the serial port with a cable.
 

modem mantra -- The sound a modem makes while connecting with another modem.
" Ennnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn . . . .
beepboopbeepbopboopbeepbopboop . . . .
brrrrrrrrrring . . . .
Screeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
ChrunchBeCrackleBeChrunch . . . ."
 

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.
 

MUD -- See Multi-User Dungeon.
 

Multi-User Dungeon -- (abbreviation: MUD)
An online fantasy role-playing game environment that takes place in telnet sessions. MUDs occur in text mode -- similar to a chat environment -- where the players assume the identities of fictional characters and follow a series of rules which guide the adventure.
 

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

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 -- (abbreviation: MIME)
An extension to Internet email which provides the ability to transfer non-textual data, such as graphics, audio and fax.
 

multitasking -- 1. A mode of operation offered by an operating system in which a computer works on more than one task or application at a time.
2. Also can describe people who excel at juggling several tasks at once, as opposed to those who work from task to task in a linear fashion.

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Main Glossary page