Technology

Machine translation: overview, methods, applications and limits Machine translation Machine translation (MT) uses computer programs to convert text or speech between natural languages. This article explains approaches, history, common uses, strengths, limitations,…

Macintosh: meanings, history, and cultural significance Macintosh Macintosh refers to Apple’s computer line and a variety of other things: a raincoat, an apple cultivar, surnames and clans, places, and brands. This article summarizes key uses and…

Macintosh Classic (compact desktop computer) Macintosh Classic Entry-level compact Macintosh introduced by Apple in 1990. An all‑in‑one machine with a Motorola 68000 CPU at 8 MHz, monochrome display and an affordable design for education and s…

macOS — Apple's desktop operating system macOS macOS is Apple’s desktop operating system for Macintosh computers, built on UNIX-derived technologies with an open-source core (Darwin) and a proprietary graphical ecosystem.

macOS Catalina (10.15): overview, features, history and compatibility macOS Catalina macOS Catalina (10.15) is Apple’s 2019 desktop release that introduced 64-bit-only app support, new apps replacing iTunes, Sidecar, enhanced security, and tools for bringing iPad a…

macOS Mojave (10.14): Overview, Features, History and Legacy macOS Mojave macOS Mojave (version 10.14) is Apple's 2018 desktop operating system release, introducing Dark Mode, Desktop Stacks, a redesigned App Store, privacy enhancements and continuity fe…

macOS Sierra (10.12): Overview, features, history and significance macOS Sierra macOS Sierra (version 10.12) is Apple’s 2016 desktop OS release that introduced Siri on the Mac, iCloud Desktop syncing, Auto Unlock with Apple Watch and other continuity features.

maemo: Nokia's Linux-based platform for Internet tablets and mobile devices maemo maemo is a Linux-derived software platform and application framework originally developed and funded by Nokia for Internet tablets and related mobile devices.

Magnavox Odyssey — the first commercial home video game console Magnavox Odyssey The Magnavox Odyssey (1972) was the first commercial home video game console. It used simple electronic shapes, transparent TV overlays and physical play pieces to simulate multipl…

Magnavox Odyssey series Family of home video game consoles originating with the 1972 Magnavox Odyssey; includes several dedicated Pong-style systems and the programmable Odyssey², influential in early gam…

Magnetic storage: principles, media, history and uses Magnetic storage Magnetic storage records binary information by altering magnetic states on a medium. This article explains how it works, common media types, historical development, uses, advantage…

Magnetic stripe card A magnetic stripe card is a plastic payment or access card with a magnetically encoded stripe that stores data for identification, transactions and access; widely used but largely…

Magnetic tape: medium, mechanism, formats and uses Magnetic tape Magnetic tape is a plastic film coated with magnetic material used to record audio, video and data. This article explains its construction, operation, history, common formats, uses…

Magneto‑optical drive Magneto-optical drive A magneto‑optical drive is a removable disk storage device that reads and writes using a laser and magnetic fields. Widely used from the late 1980s through the 1990s for archival a…

Magnifying glass A simple convex lens device used to enlarge the apparent size of nearby objects. Describes design, operation, history, uses, types and how it compares to related optical tools.

Magnox reactor (graphite–gas reactor with Magnox fuel cladding) Magnox Overview of the Magnox reactor: design, components, history, uses, and legacy of the magnesium–aluminium–clad graphite–gas power reactors developed mid-20th century.

Mainframe computer High-capacity, highly reliable computers designed for large-scale transaction processing, data management and mission-critical enterprise workloads, often used by governments, bank…

Management information system (MIS) Management information system A management information system (MIS) collects, processes and presents data to support organizational decision-making, financial control and operational planning across businesses…

Mandriva Linux: history, features, and legacy Mandriva Linux Mandriva Linux (originally Mandrake) was a desktop-focused Linux distribution known for ease of use, KDE integration and graphical administration tools. Development waned after 201…

Mario Kart 64 Second main entry in the Mario Kart series for the Nintendo 64 (1996). A landmark 3D kart racer known for four-player split screen, new items and characters, and long-lasting multi…

Mario Kart 7 Mario Kart 7 is a 2011 kart racing game for the Nintendo 3DS that introduced gliders, underwater sections and deeper kart customization to the long-running series.

Mario Party (1998 video game) Mario Party (video game) Mario Party is a 1998 party board video game for the Nintendo 64 that began the long-running Mario Party series, combining turn-based board play with competitive multiplayer mini-g…

Mariotte jar (constant-head reservoir) Marot jar A Mariotte jar is a sealed reservoir arranged to deliver a nearly constant liquid flow by maintaining a fixed hydrostatic head. It is widely used in laboratory experiments and engi…

Martin B-57 Canberra An American license-built adaptation of the British English Electric Canberra bomber, the B-57 served as a tactical bomber, reconnaissance and electronic warfare platform, notably…

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Massachusetts Institute of Technology Private research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, known for science, engineering, technology, and innovation. Strong research output, selective admissions, and wide impact a…

Sega Master System Master System An 8-bit home video game console introduced by Sega in 1985. Known for its hardware design, peripherals, and strong popularity in Europe and Brazil despite limited success in North…

Match (firelighting tool) Match A match is a small implement for producing fire under controlled conditions. This article explains how matches work, their composition, history, types, uses and safety consideratio…

MATE (desktop environment) MATE (software) MATE is a continuation of GNOME 2: a lightweight, traditional desktop environment for Linux and other Unix-like systems, favored for familiarity, low resource use, and modular comp…

Autodesk Maya: 3D modeling, animation and visual effects software Maya (software) Maya is a professional 3D computer graphics application for modeling, animation, simulation and rendering, used widely in film, television, games and visual effects.

MD5 (Message-Digest Algorithm 5) MD5 MD5 is a widely used cryptographic hash function that produces a 128-bit (32-hex-digit) digest. Once standard for integrity checks, it is now considered insecure against deliberate…

Meccano: British construction toy and modelling system Meccano Meccano is a modular construction system invented in 1901 in the United Kingdom. It uses perforated metal strips, plates, gears and fasteners to build working models, teaching mech…

Mechanically powered torch (hand-crank, shake and wind-up flashlights) Mechanically powered torch A torch that generates light from stored mechanical energy or on-demand mechanical motion, avoiding disposable batteries and offering reliable emergency illumination.

Mechanism: devices, systems and explanatory processes Mechanism Concise reference on mechanisms: physical devices, assemblies and conceptual explanations. Covers definition, components, historical development, practical examples, scientific use…

MediaWiki — free, extensible wiki server software MediaWiki MediaWiki is a free, open-source wiki engine written in PHP and used to power Wikimedia projects and many independent wikis worldwide.

Medium Access Control (MAC) — role, addresses, and access methods Medium access control Overview of the Medium Access Control sublayer: its responsibilities in the data link layer, MAC addresses and format, common access methods (Ethernet, Wi‑Fi), history, uses and im…

Megabit: unit of digital information and common uses Megabit A megabit is a unit of information equal to one million bits. Commonly used to state data-transfer rates (Mbps), it differs from a megabyte and from binary-based units like the meb…

Megabyte (MB) Megabyte A megabyte is a unit of digital information commonly used for storage and memory. It can mean 10^6 bytes (decimal) or, historically, 2^20 bytes (binary); standards clarify this dis…

Memoization: memoizing function results to improve program performance Memoization Memoization stores function results keyed by inputs so repeated calls return cached values. It differs from general caching and is widely used in recursion, dynamic programming, an…

Memory address Identifier of a location in a computer's memory used to read or write data; includes logical vs physical addresses, addressing modes, addressable unit, and roles in operating syste…

Memory card (removable flash storage) Memory card Removable solid-state storage used in cameras, phones and consoles. Flash-based, durable, available in multiple formats (SD, microSD, CompactFlash, MMC) and capacities up to teraby…

MenuetOS — compact assembly-written operating system for x86 and x86-64 MenuetOS MenuetOS is a tiny operating system implemented largely in assembly for x86/x86-64 CPUs. It emphasizes small size and responsiveness, offering a graphical desktop, basic networking…

MEPIS (SimplyMEPIS) — a user-focused Debian-based Live CD Linux distribution MEPIS MEPIS is a family of Debian-based Linux distributions known for user-friendly Live CD releases (most notably SimplyMEPIS), desktop readiness, and easy installation. Creator: Warren…

Mercury-in-Glass Thermometer A thermometer using liquid mercury in a narrow glass capillary: design, history, operation, limits and why it has been largely replaced by safer alternatives.

Metal detector — principles, parts, history and common uses Metal detector An accessible overview of metal detectors: how they work, main components, types, typical uses (hobbyist, archaeology, security, military) and practical limitations and tips.

Mibbit — web-based IRC client and embeddable chat widget Mibbit Mibbit is a browser-based IRC client introduced in 2007. Implemented in JavaScript and AJAX, it provides an embeddable chat widget and a lightweight, no-install way to join IRC cha…

Micro-operation (micro-op, μop): low-level instructions in CPU microarchitecture Micro-operation Micro-operations are the elementary internal instructions that a processor uses to implement complex machine-level instructions, enabling pipelining, out-of-order execution and oth…

Microcode: low-level control logic that implements machine instructions Microcode Microcode is a layer of low-level instructions or data that controls a CPU’s internal circuits to implement higher-level machine instructions, enabling flexibility, complexity mana…

Microcontroller (MCU) — compact embedded single‑chip computers Microcontroller A microcontroller (MCU) is a compact integrated computer on a single chip that combines a processor, memory, and programmable input/output for controlling electronic systems.