Toshiba Tecra A8 DVD media, — See MIDI, microprocessor, — A standard for, analog telephone lines, and to exchange electronic mail, MS-DOSprompt — See system prompt

Glossary 295

M	memory — Typically refers to the computer’s main memory, where
	programs are run and data is temporarily stored and processed.
	Memory can be volatile and hold data temporarily, such as RAM, or
	it can be nonvolatile and hold data permanently, such as ROM. A
	computer’s main memory is RAM. See RAM, ROM.
	microprocessor — See central processing unit (CPU).
	MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) — A standard for
	connecting musical instruments, synthesizers, and computers. The
	MIDI standard provides a way of translating music into a form
	computers can use, and vice versa.
	modem — Short for “modulator/demodulator.” A device that converts
	information from digital to analog and back to digital, enabling
	information to pass back and forth between digital computers and
	analog telephone lines.
	motherboard — The main circuit board in the computer. It contains the
	processor, memory, and other primary components.
	MS-DOS prompt — See system prompt.
	multi-function drive — A DVD drive that can read and write to CD and
	DVD media.
	multimedia — A combination of two or more media, such as sound,
	animation, and video in a computer program or presentation.
	Musical Instrument Digital Interface — See MIDI.
N	network — A collection of computers and associated devices that are
	connected by communications facilities. A network allows you to
	share data and peripheral devices, such as printers, with other users
	and to exchange electronic mail.
	non-interlaced— A method of refreshing a computer screen, in which
	each pixel of every line is refreshed as the electron beam scans
	across and down the screen. Compare interlaced.
	non-system disk — A disk for storing programs and data that cannot be
	used to start the computer. Compare system disk.