Java
An object-oriented programming language designed specifically for programs (particularly multimedia) to be used over the Internet. Java allows programmers to create small programs or applications (applets) to enhance Web sites.
Javascript
A programming language used almost exclusively to manipulate content on a web
page. Common Javascript functions include validating forms on a web page,
creating dynamic page navigation menus, and image rollovers.
Laptop and notebook
Small, lightweight, portable battery-powered computers that can fit onto your
lap. They each have a thin, flat, liquid crystal display screen.
Mac OS
An operating system with a graphical user interface, developed by Apple® for
Macintosh® computers. Current System “X.1” (10) combines the traditional
Mac interface with a strong underlying UNIX® operating system for increased
performance and stability.
Megabyte (MB)
Equal to 1,048,576 bytes, usually rounded off to one million bytes (also called
a “meg”).
Memory
Temporary storage for information, including applications and documents. The
information must be stored to a permanent device, such as a hard disc or
CD ROM before the power is turned off, or the information will be lost. Computer
memory is measured in terms of the amount of information it can store, commonly
in megabytes or gigabytes.
Menu
A context-related list of options that users can choose from.
Menu bar
The horizontal strip across the top of an application's window. Each word on
the strip has a context sensitive drop-down menu containing features and
actions that are available for the application in use.
MHz
An abbreviation for Megahertz, or one million hertz. One MHz represents one
million clock cycles per second and is the measure of a computer microprocessor's
speed. For example, a microprocessor that runs at 300 MHz executes 300 million
cycles per second. Each instruction a computer receives, takes a fixed number
of clock cycles to carry out, therefore the more cycles a computer can execute
per second, the faster, its programs run. Megahertz is also a unit of measure
for bandwidth.
Minimize
A term used in a GUI operating system that uses windows. It refers to reducing
a window to an icon, or a label at the bottom of the screen, allowing another
window to be viewed.
Modem
A device that connects two computers together over a telephone or cable line
by converting the computer's data into an audio signal.
Monitor
A video display terminal.
Mouse
A small hand-held device, similar to a trackball, used to control the position
of the cursor on the video display; movements of the mouse on the desktop
correspond with movements of the cursor on the screen.
MP3
Compact audio and video file format. The small size of the files makes them
easy to download and e-mail. Format used in portable playback devices.
Multimedia
Software programs that combine text and graphics with sound, video, and animation.
A multimedia PC contains the hardware to support these capabilities.
MS-DOS
An early operating system developed by Microsoft Corporation (Microsoft Disc
Operating System).
Network
A system of interconnected computers.
