M

M

maximize

To increase the size of a window to its largest extent. A maximized application window fills the entire screen except for the taskbar. A maximized document window fills the entire application window.

Mbps

One million bits per second (bps).

megabyte

1,024 kilobytes, or 1,048,576 bytes. This is often abbreviated in writing to M or MB and pronounced meg.

See also [gigabyte]

memory-resident program

A program that stays in memory after it is loaded and works "behind the scenes." The program normally responds only to a specific event (such as the deletion of a file) or key combination. Also called a terminate-and-stay-resident (TSR) program.

menu bar

The horizontal bar on the second line of an application window. The menu bar contains the application's pull-down menus.

minimize

To remove a program from the desktop without closing it. A minimized program appears as a button on the taskbar.

modem

An electronic device that enables two computers to exchange data over phone lines.

multitasking

The capability to run several programs at the same time.