Glossary 11

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, contro l l ogic, and cont rol-memory u nit.
MIDI
Musical Instrument Digital Interface. An interface for connecting suitably equipped
musical instruments to suitably equipped computers.
MIF
Management Infor mation File. A file store d on a PC that hol ds system dat a such as
a model ID and serial number that can be manipulated over a network from a
centralized location.
MMX
A processor architecture that enhances multimedia a nd communications. This
technology processes multiple data elements in parallel, speeding up such things as
image processing, motion video, speech synthesis, telephony, and 3-D graphics.
modem
MOdulator-DEModulator. A device that links computers over a telephone line.
MPC
Multimedia Personal Computer, a software and hardware standard developed by a
consortiu m of computer f i r ms led by Micr osoft. Ther e are three MPC standards,
called MPC, MPC2, and MPC3, respectively. Each specifies a minimum hardware
configura t ion for runnin g multimedia s oftware.
MPEG
Motion Pictures Expert Group. Audio/Video technology that allows for better than
VHS quality v ideo and almost CD quality a u dio by using ad va nced compress ion
techniques. MPEG files allow for more realistic motion with a smaller file size than
earlier formats, making it a popular format for digital full-length movies. Files in
the MPEG format have an .MPG extension.
N
nonvolatile memory
Storage media that retains its data when system power is turned off. Nonvolatile
memory is a compl ementary metal ox ide semicondu ct or (CMOS) chip t ha t is
backed up by an internal battery. The backup battery preserves the clock/calendar
data and system configuration parameters stored in CMOS. See volatile memory.
O
operating system
Set of programs that manage the overall operation of the computer.
overwrite
Storing informati on at a locatio n where infor ma t ion is already s tored, thus
destroying the original information.