MACRO
Okay, we all know that "macro" is the opposite of "micro," right? Ya know, like "microcosm/macrocosm," that sort of thing. In programming, it's used to define something that will expand into something much larger when used. Confused? Okay, let's say you're working on a file and you want to add three spaces between each line, you can do that if your word processor supports macros. In other words, you've given a series of commands that will be performed all at once, as opposed to manually grinding them out one at a time. Macros also work well for writing letters and filling out forms where the same information is needed over and over again.
Mail Merge
Yeah, you've heard this word before, but do you know what it is? It's something you should know about if you write a lot of form letters, or tend to create documents that contain a lot of the same information. In Microsoft Word (and any other processor that supports mail merge) for example, you can create a letter with general terms instead of specific ones (i.e., [NAME] instead of "Chris Pirillo"). When you use mail merge, all of those fields are replaced with the appropriate filler. Believe me, it's a great time saver. You'll find it in the Tools menu in Micorsoft Word.
MIME
No, not those annoying street performers. This "MIME" stands for "Multi-purpose Internet Mail Extensions." Ya see, it's an extension that allows you (and everyone else) to exchange pretty much any type of data file across the Internet; like video, audio, images, programs, and all sorts of other stuff. When a file is received, MIME types are used to determine the appropriate application tasked with handling the file. Now if you'll excuse me, I seem to be trapped inside this invisible box.
Meta Tags
You finally got your own Web site. How will you let everyone in the Gnome universe know about it? You could try the telephone, but you and I both know the phone bill would be way too high. Put down the yellow pages and I'll tell ya about meta tags. You see, meta tags are included in the HTML code of a Web page. They tell search engines what your site is all about. The meta tags most often used are "keywords" and "description." You can use an unlimited amount of keywords for your site, although the first ten are probably the most important. Some words will work better than others, depending on what kind of market your site covers. It's not a bad idea to check out the competition. Remember, though, that you should strive to be unique.
Mirror Site
Remember when you were a kid and your parents would take you to the carnival or the amusement park? My favorite place was the House of Mirrors. I'd spend hours in there, laughing at the distorted reflection. Then, some wiseguy would tap me on the shoulder and whisper: "Chris, that's just a regular mirror." But enough about my embarrassing childhood, let's talk about this word in relation to the Internet, shall we? A Webmaster can make an exact copy of his site and upload it to a separate server. This kind of copy is known as a "mirror site." It helps make the site's content more accessible when it receives a ton of traffic. These mirror sites also come in handy for geographical reasons (e.g., you have a site in Germany and you want to make it accessible to folks in the United States). A person can also choose to just copy certain portions of their site. For example, if that user happens to distribute a popular program that is downloaded by hundreds of people a day, he can put the binary on several sites (other than his own). It's more fun than throwing up on the tilt-a-whirl.
Motherboard
Take your system apart. On second thought, don't -- unless you know what you're doing. I wanted to better illustrate what a motherboard is. So what is it? A large plate sitting inside your case. Your PC's primary internal components connect to it: memory, drives, cards, etc. Think of the motherboard as a stage and each component as a band member. Together they make beautiful music. Motherboards are usually green, though I've seen a handful of tan ones, too. Some motherboards have integrated sound, network, and video components. These systems are sometimes difficult to upgrade; they tend to rely on proprietary drivers, as well. Ya know, I've got a face only a motherboard could love.
Mozilla
One of the Three Stooges was exposed to radiation and became... Mozilla. Sorry, I was making up movies in my head again. Actually, Mozilla was the original name of Netscape's browser (you know it as Navigator these days). Why "Mozilla?" Well, why not? Actually, some say it's a combo of Mosaic and Godzilla. Mosaic being the number one Web browser at the time. Ya see, Mozilla was going to crush Mosaic? It's funny? Maybe it's only funny if you're a programmer. The term "Mozilla" is still used on occasion to define Netscape, though it is typically seen as the on-going open source development project surrounding the code that was released a few years ago - it can be found at mozilla.org. I'm working on a new browser called Mothra. No, really, I'm not.
MP3
Just call your cable company and say: "I want my MP3!" We've been hearing a lot about these things lately -- mostly due to the hullabaloo surrounding Napster (we'll just let Metallica and Limp Bizkit duke that one out). "What the heck is an MP3, anyway?" Well, it's a digital music file (in most cases). Moreover, it's a format for compressing a sound (say, from a CD) into a smaller file. Why? For quicker transferring (downloading or uploading). Although smooshed, the original audio quality remains (for the most part) intact. This is why many people see MP3s / digital music as being as THE NEXT big trend in listening pleasure. This file type is extremely portable, making it easier to hear the same 'byte' on your PC, in your car, on your Walkman, et al. If the whole Napster fiasco has you worried, don't fret; there are plenty of 'safe' ways to access MP3s on the Internet. Providing, of course, that you already own a legally purchased copy of the clip. Newer flavors of Windows come with the ability to play MP3 files. Players always add to the listening experience; ask anyone who's placed a CD up to his ear and heard nothing. We may have to wait for MP9 for that kind of functionality.
Multitasking
Open Word. Now open Netscape. Now open Notepad. Now do the hokey pokey and turn yourself around. That's what it's all about. That's also what we like to call "multitasking." You can probably deduce (from the word itself) that "multitasking" has something to do with performing multiple tasks. And, in assuming this, you would be correct. It simply refers to an operating system's ability to have more than one program running at a time. Now you can check out Lockergnome in one window, make notes in another, write a letter to your grandma in yet another, and listen to the latest Chris Pirillo Show via Winamp (or whichever media player you choose). Of course, running too many programs at once can cause your system to slow down, so don't get overzealous.
