Microprocessor

A small CPU contained on one semiconductor chip. See also CPU.

Modem

MOdulator/DEModulator. A device that allows a computer to transfer data to and from another computer by transmitting signals over telephone lines.

Monitor

The hardware device that contains the video screen and displays images produced by your computer’s display adapter.

Monochrome monitor

A monitor that displays in only one color (such as green, white, or amber), as opposed to a color monitor which can display in many different colors.

Mouse

A hand-held pointing device with one or more buttons. When you slide the mouse over a surface, the cursor moves in the same direction on the screen. Pressing (or clicking) a mouse button selects the item on the screen at the cursor position.

MS-DOS

Microsoft Disk Operating System. The operating system most commonly used with your computer. MS-DOS is a command- based, single-user, single-tasking operating system. See also DOS, OS/Z, and Operating system.

14 Glossary