machine alias --
An abbreviated notation for a collection of remote machines;
machine aliases can be used on command lines to simplify the
specification of destination machines.
macro --
A collection of instructions or keystrokes that can be invoked
using a single name or keystroke combination, used to automate
regular and complex tasks.
mail alias --
A single name used to send e-mail to multiple users at once.
For example, many users have aliases set up for mailing
to the entire company, single departments, or groups of
individuals.
mail folder --
A directory in which you can store related mail messages.
Mail Transfer Agent --
A facility that accepts messages generated by an
Mail User Agent,
determines a route for delivery, edits the message header as required
by the destination and delivery program, and calls the appropriate
delivery program to deliver the mail.
Mail User Agent --
A program that provides a user interface for mail message processing,
including mail composition and reading.
mailbox --
The folder that opens when you start mail.
This is the folder into which your new mail is delivered
by default.
mailbox window --
The window that displays the messages in your mailbox or
other folders.
See also
mailbox.
mailing list --
A special-case alias.
Each mailing list has an ``owner''
who handles list administration
and receives any error messages about bounced messages
or other problems with list mail.
Mailing list addresses
are not validated at the time each message is sent; this can
save a significant amount of processing time with a large list
of recipients.
makefile --
(programming)
A makefile is a file that is used with the program
make(1)
to keep track of the dependencies
between modules of a program, so that when one module
is changed, dependent ones are brought up to date.
manual page --
These reference pages can be accessed online using the
man(1)
command or using SCOHelp. A number (sometimes with letters)
in parentheses following a command or
filename refers to the manual page section where the
command or file is documented. For example, the
man(1)
command is documented in section 1.
Manual pages are also called ``man pages'' or ``reference pages.''
mask --
A series of bit settings that ``cover up'' existing
settings, only allowing some settings to show through,
while masking out others.
maximize --
To enlarge a window so that it fills the entire screen.
maximize button --
A button in the upper right corner of a window frame
that maximizes the window. The button contains an image of a
square.
megabyte --
One million bytes. Used to describe the amount of information that can be
contained on a disk or in RAM.
memory --
1. See
core image.
2. Physical memory representing
the available space in main memory;
programs are either swapped or paged
into physical memory for execution.
3. Virtual memory management techniques permitting
programs to treat disk storage as an extension of main memory.
menu --
A screen display that lists options that users can select.
Each option causes an action to be taken or another menu
to be displayed.
Menus are usually located at the top of the window frame in a menu bar.
See also
option.
menu bar --
A bar across the top of a window, under the title bar,
that contains the titles of the pull-down menus for that window.
menu item --
A choice on a menu.
message --
(programming)
In a stream, one or more blocks of data or information, with associated
STREAMS control structures.
Messages can be of several defined types, which identify
the message contents.
Messages are the only means of transferring data and
communicating within a stream.
message block --
(programming)
A STREAMS message is made up of one or more message blocks. A
message block
is referenced by a pointer to a mblk_t
structure, which in turn points to the data block (dblk_t)
structure and the data buffer.
message box --
A dialog box that provides information,
gives the current state of work in progress, asks a question,
issues a warning, or draws attention to an error.
message list --
The list of messages displayed in the
mailbox window.
message list window --
A window in the Mail program that displays the list of mail
messages received.
message queue --
(programming)
In a stream, a linked list of messages awaiting processing by
a module or driver.
message queue identifier --
(programming)
A message queue identifier (msqid) is a unique positive
integer created by a
msgget(2)
system call.
Each msqid has a message queue and a
data structure associated with it.
message window --
The window in which you create draft messages.
See also
message list.
metacharacter --
A special character that is replaced by matching
character strings when interpreted by the
shell.
Metacharacters, which define the form of a string, and
literal
characters, which match only themselves, make up
regular expressions.
MIB --
Management Information Base. A tree-structured
naming convention that is used to access network data
via a network management protocol such as SNMP.
MIB module --
a subtree of the
MIB.
MIME --
Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions.
A standard for mail exchange
that supports graphical, audio, video, and multi-media messages.
minimize --
To store a window as a window icon,
temporarily removing the window display.
A program running in a window continues
to run in the background when you minimize the window.
This is also called ``iconifying.''
See also
iconify.
minimize button --
A button in the upper right corner of a window frame
that minimizes the window. The button contains an image
of a small circle.
missing-picture icon --
An icon that is used when the
correct icon picture cannot be located.
The icon functions normally
even though the correct picture is not displayed.
MMDF --
The Multichannel Memorandum Distribution Facility
is one of the
Mail Transfer Agents
that can be used on SCO systems.
MMDF provides transparent access to the different
networks and mail transport protocols, regardless of the
Mail User Agent
employed (one or more MUAs may
be used on a single system).
modem --
(programming)
A contraction of modulator-demodulator.
A modulator converts digital signals from
the computer into tones that can be transmitted across phone lines.
A demodulator converts the tones received from the phone lines
into digital signals so that the computer can process the data.
module --
(programming)
1. A module is a program component that
typically contains a function or a group of related functions.
Source files and libraries are modules.
2. A STREAMS module consists of two related queue
structures, one each for upstream and downstream messages. One or more modules
may be pushed onto a stream between the stream head and the driver,
usually to implement and isolate a line discipline or a
communication protocol.
mosy --
The Managed Object Syntax-compiler (YACC-based)
that reads the
ASN.1
definitions of a
MIB module
and produces an output file which can be used by the
SMUX library functions. mosy is invoked
automatically when you execute the
make(1)
command.
Motif window manager --
A program that
controls window configuration and creates window frames.
It is also called mwm.
mount --
A term used to describe the action of connecting a filesystem to your
filesystem tree so it is accessible to users on the system. Filesystems
can reside on the local hard disk, a floppy disk, a CD-ROM,
or on a remote system (if you are using NFS).
mount point --
A location within the directory tree through which a machine accesses
a mounted resource. You need to create or specify a mount point
when you mount a remote resource.
The mount point for a resource is usually an empty directory.
mouse --
A pointing device used to move a pointer about on the
screen. See also
mouse button.
mouse button --
One of the buttons on a mouse pointing device.
The mouse buttons select or manipulate graphical objects.
See also
click,
double-click,
drag,
and
drop.
mouse buttons 1 and 2 --
Button 1 is usually the leftmost button, but this can
be changed using the Mouse program. Dragging an icon with
mouse button 1 moves the icon. For example, dragging a file
icon with mouse button 1 from one directory window to
another directory window moves the file the icon
represents. Dragging an icon with mouse button 2 copies
that icon. For example, dragging a file icon with mouse
button 2 from one directory window into another directory
window copies the file into the second directory.
mouse pointer --
The graphical image, such as an arrow or other symbol,
that indicates your current position on the screen. Move
the pointer by moving the mouse. The pointer changes shape
to indicate what you can do at a particular location or to
indicate a program's status. For example, if a program is
busy, the pointer might change to an image of an hourglass.
MTA --
See
Mail Transfer Agent.
MUA --
See
Mail User Agent.
multipart message --
A message that contains one or more attachments.
An attachment might itself be a multipart message containing
other attachments.
multiplexor --
(programming)
A multiplexor is a driver that allows streams
associated with several user processes to be
connected to a single driver, or
several drivers to be connected to a single
user process. STREAMS provides facilities for
constructing multiplexors and for connecting multiplexed
configurations of streams.
multiprocessor --
A system with more than one central processing unit (CPU).
multiscreen --
A login screen that you can use for
an additional work session. Multiscreens provide another
way to perform multiple tasks at the same time.
multitasking --
A system that can do several jobs at once.
multithreaded --
A resource is multithreaded if it can be accessed
simultaneously
by different processors. The kernel is multithreaded to
allow equal access by all processes to its tables and the
scheduler. Only one copy of the kernel resides in memory.
multiuser --
A system that can be used by more than one person at the
same time.