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Glossary of Windows Terms (M-Z)

Glossary of Windows Terms (M-Z)

macro : A series of keystrokes and mouse clicks that can be abbreviated into a single keystroke or mouse click.
map network drive : Associating a network drive. Doing this will have the drive appear in My Computer.
maximize (button) : To make a window appear at its largest possible size. In Windows 95 applications, the maximize button is a square in the top right corner of the window.
menu : A list of command options that are available.
menu bar : Displays the names of all the menus available. Located under the title bar.
menu command : A command from a menu that will perform an action when clicked.
microprocessor : A miniature-sized processor.
MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) : A connection of electronic instruments. Basically, it's a digital sound file that can read electronic notes to play music.
Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) : A connection of electronic instruments. Basically, it's a digital sound file that can read electronic notes to play music.
minimize (button) : To make a window disappear from the screen and move down to the taskbar. The minimize button in Windows 95 applications is an underscore (_) in the top right corner of the window.
modem : A device, usually connected to a serial port of a computer, that transmits data over regular phone lines. Modem stands modulatordemodulator ; it converts a digital stream of data into sound for transmission (modulator) and converts incoming sound signals into data (demodulator).
motion JPEG : Created by the Joint Photograph Experts Group, motion JPEG is a compression/decompression program for video files.
mouse pointer : A symbol that represents mouse movement. When you move your mouse, the mouse pointer will move on the screen accordingly.
MPEG (Motion Picture Experts Group) : MPEG stands for the Motion Picture Experts. MPEG is a compression/decompression program for movie and animation files.
MS-DOS : Microsoft Disk Operating System.
MS-DOS based application : An application that does not require Windows and would normally run on a DOS based machine. Most DOS based applications have no problem running under Windows 95's DOS box.
multimedia : A collection of, but not limited to, animations, sounds, graphics, movies, and so on. Multimedia literally means "more than one type of media."
multitasking : The possibility of an operating system to efficiently manage more than one task at a time.
My Computer : An icon which appears on the Desktop of all Windows 95 users. My Computer allows users to access disk drives, view and manage files and folders, and access other areas of Windows 95 such as the Control Panel and the Printers screen.
My Briefcase : My Briefcase is an item that Windows 95 users have an option to keep it on their Desktop or not. My Computer gives portable users a way to bring data along with them as they travel.

NetBIOS : A protocol developed by IBM and Sytek that provides users several networking functions.
Network Interface Card (NIC) : A card that is connected to the bus of a computer that is used to interface to a LAN.
Network Neighborhood : Network Neighborhood is a utility that users of Windows 95 and NT can access only if they are part of a network. It allows the user view all resources available on their network.
NIC (Network interface Card) : A card that is connected to the bus of a computer that is used to interface to a LAN.
null modem : A null modem link is a serial link to another computer directly through the use of a cable.

object : An item that can be linked to another Windows application that supports OLE.
Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) : A program for data sharing that allows two non-compatible applications to work together when creating the document that is to be shared.
OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers) : The term OEM means Original Equipment Manufacturers. This refers to equipment or software that was provided, and not purchased by the user.
OLE Automation : The ability of a server application to make its own objects available for use in a macro language with another application.
OLE (Object Linking and Embedding) : A program for data sharing that allows two non-compatible applications to work together when creating the document that is to be shared.
Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) : The term OEM means Original Equipment Manufacturers. This refers to equipment or software that was provided, and not purchased by the user.
offline : A device is said to be "offline" when it is not ready to accept input.
online : A device is said to be "online" when it is ready to accept input.
option button : An item in a dialog box that allows the user to select only one option from a group of options.
orientation : The setting in which a page will be printed. For example, portrait orientation will print normally, and landscape orientation will print the page sideways.

palette : A collection or group of tools.
pane : A distinct area of a window.
paragraph formatting : Refers to the format style of an entire paragraph in a word processing program. This includes font, indention, alignment, spacing, margins, bulleting and so on.
parallel port : A port that has a parallel transmission rate of 8 bits at one time.
parity : A fragment of data added to each byte of transmitted or stored data.
partition : A section of a hard drive that acts as a separate disk, even though it is not.
path : The location of a file in the directory tree.
PB SRAM (Pipeline Burst SRAM) : PB RAM uses pipelining, in which SRAM requests within the burst are executed almost on an instantaneous basis.
PC cards (Formerly PCMCIA cards) : Small, credit card sized cards that plug into slots of a laptop computer. These cards can be modems, memory, sound, networking, hard drives and so on.
picon : A still picture, usually a bitmap, that is the first frame of a video clip.
PIF : A type of file that gives Windows 95 with information so it can run a non-windows program.
Pipeline Burst SRAM (PB SRAM) : PB RAM uses pipelining, in which SRAM requests within the burst are executed almost on an instantaneous basis.
pixels : Picture elements.
play list : A list of tracks that will be played from an audio CD in CD Player.
plug and play : A capability of Windows 95 that will automatically detect new hardware and peripherals automatically. If you install a new piece of hardware, Windows 95 will automatically detect it, identify it, and read from it the next time you restart Windows 95.
pointer : The on-screen symbol that represents mouse movement.
port : A socket or connection that connects devices to a computer.
port replicator : A device for portable computers that will allow all bus lines to be available externally.
Postoffice : The machine where all mail messages will be stored for a workgroup.
Postproduction editing : The process of adding animated overlays, special effects and more to a video production once it has been completed.
Postscript : A language created by Adobe that will precisely read graphics and fonts.
primary partition : A partition of a hard drive that can contain an operating system and cannot be subpartitioned. A primary partition drive is the only type of drive that is bootable.
printer driver : A program in Windows that tells different programs how to specifically format data for a certain type of printer.
printer font : A font that is stored in the ROM of a printer.
printer settings window : A window that displays all printers which contain drivers that have been identified by Windows. From here, you can configure any printer you want, with a large group of options available for each printer.
printer window : A window that displays the status of the current print job for the current printer. From here you can cancel, pause, or restart a print job.
processor : A regulating device inside a computer that interprets and executes instructions. The processor controls most major functions of any computer, and also performs computations.
program file : A program that does not use an association and runs an application directly.
program window : A window that displays a program, and that program's documents.
properties dialog box (properties sheet) : In Windows 95, a properties dialog box is a box that displays the properties of a certain item, and may allow the user to change its properties directly from there.
proportional font : A proportional font is a font whose width varies depending on the individual characters.

QIC : The standard formatting method for most tape backup machines.
queue : A list of documents that are waiting to be printed that can be viewed from the printer window.
quick format : A quick and easy method of formatting a floppy disk. Simply erasing the root directory and file allocation table (FAT) of a disk, and not checking for flaws does this.
QuickTime : A unique compression/decompression scheme for animation files developed by Apple that is compatible with both Macintosh and Windows.

RAM (Random Access Memory) : Physical memory that is located in a computer. Windows 95 requires 8 million bytes of RAM (8 M of RAM), but is recommended to be on a system with at least 16M of RAM.
Random Access Memory (RAM) : Physical memory that is located in a computer. Windows 95 requires 8 million bytes of RAM (8 M of RAM), but is recommended to be on a system with at least 16M of RAM.
Raster font : A font whose characters are stored and read as pixels.
Read-only : A characteristic of a file which allows it to be only opened and viewed, and cannot be edited.
Recycle Bin : An icon on your desktop in Windows 95. The Recycle Bin is similar to the trash can of Apple systems. To delete an item, simply drag it to the Recycle Bin. Here, the Recycle Bin will hide the item from view, but won't erase it. This allows you to restore that item if you'd like.
Registry : A configuration, information database that comes with Windows 95. The registry contains program information, associations, hardware information and so on.
Registry Editor : A program that comes with Windows 95 that allows the user to edit the registry.
Repeater : A bus network device that amplifies or repeats bits of data received from one port, and sends each bit to another port.

SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) : Ram that can handle bus speeds of up to 100 MHz. SDRAM allows two pages of memory to be opened at the same time. It is also synchronized with the system clock.
SGRAM (Synchronous graphics RAM) : SGRAM is a single-ported RAM type. SGRAM uses a dual-bank feature to speed performance.
SIMM (Single In-line Memory Module) : A module on which RAM is packaged. SIMM's must be used in pairs on Pentium motherboards.
Single In-line Memory Module (SIMM) : A module on which RAM is packaged. SIMM's must be used in pairs on Pentium motherboards.
SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) : RAM that stores data within an automatic refresh. Reaches speeds of up to 12 ns. Most commonly used in an L2 cache.
Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) : RAM that stores data within an automatic refresh. Reaches speeds of up to 12 ns. Most commonly used in an L2 cache.
Sync SRAM (Synchronous burst SRAM) : RAM that is synchronized with the system clock. Sync SRAM reaches speeds of about 8.5 ns.
Synchronous Burst SRAM (Sync SRAM) : RAM that is synchronized with the system clock. Sync SRAM reaches speeds of about 8.5 ns.
Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM) : Ram that can handle bus speeds of up to 100 MHz. SDRAM allows two pages of memory to be opened at the same time. It is also synchronized with the system clock.
Synchronous graphics RAM (SGRAM) : SGRAM is a single-ported RAM type. SGRAM uses a dual-bank feature to speed performance.

TAPI (Telephone Applications Programming Interface) : Telephone Applications Programming Interface, or TAPI, allows a program to work independently with a modem without accessing the modem hardware directly.
Telephone Applications Programming Interface (TAPI) : Telephone Applications Programming Interface, or TAPI, allows a program to work independently with a modem without accessing the modem hardware directly.
Taskbar : A bar that usually runs at the bottom of Windows 95 which shows all tasks that are currently being run. The Start button is usually on the left side of the Taskbar. A clock is usually on the right side of the Taskbar. The Taskbar can be moved to any edge of the screen, and the clock and Start button can be removed if desired.
task list : A list of applications that are currently running. Windows users can access the Task list by pressing Alt + Tab.
text box : A section of a dialog box where characters can be entered in order to carry out a command.
text file : A file containing nothing other than text.
thumbnail : A small representation of a graphic. A thumbnail is significantly smaller than the real sized graphic, and is usually used to get to the real sized graphic.
thread : A chunk of a program.
tile : To reduce and reposition all windows so each one can be seen on-screen at the same time.
time slice : A quick period of time in which a program is given to access the processor.
time-out : A quick period of time in which a driver or device must stop performing the current action, and contact the operating system.
title bar : A bar at the top of most windows that displays the title of each window.
toolbar : A group of option buttons in some programs that usually make performing certain actions quicker and easier.
TrueType font : A font system created by Microsoft that makes using fonts simpler and easier. TrueType fonts are able to work in all Windows environments. There are hundreds of TrueType fonts to choose from.

UNC (Universal Naming Convention) : Universal Naming Convention, or UNC, is the ability of one computer to access, view, and even edit files from another machine without having to assign a drive letter to it on itself.
Unimodem : A universal modem driver that comes with Windows 95 by Microsoft.
uninstall : To uninstall a program is to completely remove all files of that program and all associated files in other directories. Simply deleting files from a program's main directory will not remove all of its files. Uninstalling the program will.
Universal Naming Convention (UNC) : Universal Naming Convention, or UNC, is the ability of one computer to access, view, and even edit files from another machine without having to assign a drive letter to it on itself.
unprintable area : The area around the edges of paper that a printer is not capable of printing on.
upload : To send a file to a remote computer, BBS, or FTP site.

Vcache : A 32-bit replacement for Windows 95 of the older SmartDrive that run under previous version of Windows and DOS. Vcache will dynamically allocate itself and can speed up your hard drive and CD-ROM. Vcache uses more advanced caching methods to do this.
vector font : A vector font is a font that uses connected points to create characters.
Video for windows : A group of protocols and utilities for Windows 95 that establishes full-motion video.
Virtual memory : Virtual memory will temporarily assemble extra RAM by use of permanent media.
Virus : A computer program, usually made to be spread from computer to computer, that is intended to either annoy the user, or cause harm to his or her computer. Viruses can simply place annoying messages on-screen, or re-format the users hard drive causing a 100% loss of all data on the hard disk.
ViSCA : A protocol that allows up to seven video devices to be connected together and hooked up to a single serial port.
Volume : A formatted disk partition that is available for an operating system to use.
Volume label : The identification of a diskette or volume.
VRAM (Video RAM) : Used to store pixel values of a graphical display. The board's controller reads continuously from VRAM to refresh the display.

Wallpaper : The background image or graphic that appears on the Windows Desktop. The wallpaper is customizable according to how the user wants it.
WAV file : A .WAV file is a digitized sound file.
Web browser : A program that allows the user to view information from the Internet and access web sites.
Windows RAM (WRAM) : A dual-ported RAM that exclusively used for graphical performance.
Winpopup : An applet that allows the user to send messages from one workgroup of a network to another.
Wizard : A step-by-step group of instructions that will help the user with a particular task.
Word wrap : The ability of a word processor to move text of a sentence that does not fit on one line of the page to the next line possible.
Workgroup : A group of PC's that are networked together to do work that users normally would do together.
WRAM (Windows RAM) : A dual-ported RAM that exclusively used for graphical performance.

X coordinate : The exact position of an item relative to the left side of the screen. When the item is closer to the right side of the screen, the X coordinate number will increase.
Xmodem : Used by DOS applications, Xmodem is an error-correcting protocol and other communications programs.

Y coordinate : The exact position of an item relative to the bottom of the screen. When you move closer to the top of the screen, the y coordinate number will increase.
Ymodem : A form of Xmodem that has the capability to run batch file transfers.

Zmodem : A streaming protocol that is a quick way to transfer data.