Technology

Microform: Photographic Formats for Compact, Long-Term Document Preservation Microform Overview of microform: photographic film formats—microfilm, microfiche, aperture cards—used by libraries and archives to compactly preserve documents long-term, with guidance on ac…

Microformat: semantic metadata embedded in HTML Microformat Microformats are conventions for marking up common data in HTML so software can extract it easily. They reuse existing HTML structure and class names to make content machine-readab…

Microphone: function, types, history and common uses Microphone An overview of microphones—how they convert sound to electrical signals, major types and directional patterns, historical development, practical uses, and key technical characteris…

Microprocessor: the central processing unit on a single chip Microprocessor A microprocessor is a compact electronic CPU implemented on an integrated circuit. This article explains its structure, history, common uses, and distinctions such as microcontroll…

microSD: small removable flash memory card microSD microSD is a compact removable flash memory card format used in phones, cameras, consoles and other portable devices. This article explains its form factor, variants, compatibility…

Microsoft Access: overview, features, history and common uses Microsoft Access Microsoft Access is a desktop relational database application included with Microsoft Office. This article explains its components, history, typical uses, strengths and limitations…

Microsoft Edge: history, features, platform support and market position Microsoft Edge Microsoft Edge is a cross-platform web browser by Microsoft. This article summarizes its history, platform availability, major features, privacy and security aspects, enterprise co…

Microsoft Excel Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet application for data calculation, analysis, visualization and automation, available on desktop, web and mobile as part of Microsoft Office and Micr…

Microsoft InfoPath — XML-based form design and filling tool Microsoft InfoPath InfoPath is a Microsoft application for designing, distributing and filling electronic forms that use XML data, integrate with SharePoint and can include rules or code for validati…

Microsoft Office (productivity software suite) Microsoft Office Microsoft Office is a collection of productivity applications by Microsoft, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; available as desktop apps, web apps, mobile apps, and via Microso…

Microsoft OneNote Microsoft OneNote is a digital notebook application for capturing, organizing and sharing typed, handwritten and multimedia notes across devices with cloud sync and collaboration.

Microsoft Plus! — add-on packs for Windows personalization and multimedia Microsoft Plus! Microsoft Plus! was a commercial series of add-on packs that enhanced Windows with themes, screen savers, utilities, games and multimedia features. Many additions were later integr…

Microsoft PowerPoint Slide-based presentation software in the Microsoft Office family for creating, editing and delivering visual presentations across desktop, web and mobile platforms with multimedia…

Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) — consumer antivirus for Windows Microsoft Security Essentials Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) is Microsoft’s free antivirus for home users on older Windows releases, providing signature-based protection against viruses, trojans, rootkits…

Microsoft Store – official app marketplace for Windows and Xbox Microsoft Store Official digital storefront for Microsoft platforms. Discover, buy, install and update apps, games and media. Launched with Windows 8 and later unified under Windows 10; supports U…

Microsoft TechNet — resources and history for IT professionals Microsoft TechNet Microsoft TechNet is Microsoft’s long-running portal of technical documentation, tools and community resources aimed at IT professionals, offering articles, downloads, forums and e…

Microsoft Visio — diagramming and vector drawing software Microsoft Visio Microsoft Visio is a diagramming and vector-graphics application used to create flowcharts, network diagrams, org charts and technical drawings. It exists as desktop and web-based…

Microsoft Visual C++: Overview, Components, History, and Usage Microsoft Visual C++ Microsoft Visual C++ (MSVC) is Microsoft's integrated development environment and compiler toolset for C and C++ on Windows, including libraries, debugger, runtimes, and IDE integr…

Windows operating system family: editions, features, and market position Microsoft Windows Overview of the Microsoft Windows family: editions, core features, update and servicing models, historical development, compatibility and ecosystem, and its desktop and enterprise…

Microsoft Word: Overview, features, history, and common uses Microsoft Word Microsoft Word is a widely used graphical word processor from Microsoft, offering document creation, formatting, review tools, and file compatibility as part of the Office suite or…

Microtiter plate (microplate) Microtiter plate A flat plate containing an array of small wells used to perform many parallel biochemical or cell-based assays; standardized formats support automation, plate readers and high-thro…

Microwave (electromagnetic waves): properties, history and uses Microwave Microwaves are electromagnetic waves with wavelengths roughly 1 m–1 mm. This article explains their physical characteristics, history, common applications (radar, communications, o…

Microwave oven A microwave oven (microwave) is a common kitchen appliance that heats food by exposing it to microwave-frequency electromagnetic waves, offering rapid reheating, defrosting and spe…

Mii: Nintendo's customizable avatar system Mii Mii is Nintendo's system for creating simple, cartoon-like avatars used across its consoles and many games, allowing players to personalize appearance and use the same character in…

MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) — multi‑antenna wireless communications MIMO MIMO uses multiple transmit and receive antennas to boost data rates, reliability and spectral efficiency in Wi‑Fi, cellular and other radio systems by exploiting spatial pathways.

Mind map: visual method for organizing ideas and information Mind map A mind map is a radial diagram that represents ideas, tasks, or concepts connected to a central topic. Used for brainstorming, studying, planning and problem solving, with textual…

Mini CD (3‑inch Compact Disc) Mini CD A compact variant of the standard Compact Disc, the Mini CD is an 8 cm (3-inch) disc used for small data sets, singles, promotional discs and specialty shapes like business‑card CD…

Mini‑DIN connector Mini-DIN connector Compact circular multi‑pin electrical connectors used in consumer electronics and computers, known for keyed pin arrangements and multiple pin counts (e.g., PS/2 and S‑video applic…

Minicomputer (mid-range computer) Minicomputer A minicomputer is a mid-sized, multi-user computer that historically filled the gap between mainframes and microcomputers, used widely for scientific, industrial, and business task…

MiniDisc: Sony’s portable magneto‑optical audio format MiniDisc MiniDisc (MD) is a small magneto‑optical disc format developed by Sony for portable, recordable audio and later data storage; known for rewritable cartridges, editing features, and…

Minimal Instruction Set Computer (MISC): Concepts, Traits, and Uses Minimal instruction set computer An overview of Minimal Instruction Set Computers: defining features, trade-offs with RISC/CISC, design goals, historical context, typical uses, and practical strengths and limitati…

MINIX — A minimal Unix-like microkernel operating system MINIX MINIX is a compact Unix-like OS created for teaching. It uses a microkernel design, helped inspire early Linux development, and later versions prioritize reliability under a permis…

MIPS architecture (RISC instruction set) MIPS architecture MIPS is a reduced instruction set computer (RISC) architecture created at Stanford in the early 1980s, known for a simple pipeline, fixed-length instructions, and long use in embed…

MissingNo.: The Generation I Pokémon Glitch MissingNo. MissingNo. is a well-known glitch Pokémon from Pokémon Red/Blue/Yellow that appears when the game accesses an invalid species entry, causing visual anomalies and item duplication.

MIT License: overview, characteristics, history, and common uses MIT License A concise guide to the MIT License: its purpose, key terms, history, compatibility, notable examples, and practical considerations when choosing a permissive open‑source license.

Mobile app Software designed to run on smartphones, tablets and other handheld devices; covers types, development approaches, distribution, monetization, history and distinctions from web sof…

Mobile device Portable electronic device used for communication, computing and media; includes phones, tablets, handheld consoles and wearables, with batteries and wireless connectivity.

Mobile operating system An operating system designed for handheld and mobile devices, handling power, radios, sensors, user interfaces and app ecosystems distinct from desktop OSes.

Mobile phone: overview, operation, history, types and societal impact Mobile phone Portable wireless telephone devices that connect via cellular networks. Covers how they work, evolution from basic handsets to smartphones, common features, uses, and social effect…

Model (concept): types, uses, and distinctions Model An overview of models as simplified representations of systems or objects, covering types, history, applications, and how models differ from theories, simulations, prototypes, and…

Model rocket — hobbyist rockets, parts, motors, recovery, and safety Model rocket Overview of model rockets: components, motor classification, recovery methods, history, uses in education and hobbyist communities, and safety and regulatory distinctions.

Modular: principles, examples, and design considerations Modular Modular describes systems built from discrete, replaceable units with well-defined interfaces. The concept applies to physical objects, software, architecture, and organizational d…

Modular programming: principles, structure, history and uses Modular programming A software design approach that divides a program into independent modules to improve clarity, reuse, testing and collaboration. Covers characteristics, history, benefits and disti…

Mojibake: Causes, history, and how character-encoding errors produce garbled text Mojibake Mojibake describes unreadable or garbled characters resulting from text decoded with the wrong character encoding. Causes, common examples, history, and practical fixes for web, em…

Molecular machine (nanomachine) Molecular machine A molecular machine is an assembly of molecules that produces controlled mechanical motion in response to specific stimuli. Found in biology and built synthetically, they enable se…

Molex connector: design, types, history and common uses Molex connector A family of pin-and-socket electrical connectors originally made by Molex, widely used for power and signal connections in PCs, electronics, and appliances. Overview, common types,…

Molotov cocktail (petrol bomb) Molotov cocktail An improvised incendiary bottle weapon—simple, dangerous, and illegal in many places—used historically in warfare, riots and sabotage. Named during the Winter War and widely employ…

MonoDevelop: cross-platform IDE for C# and .NET development MonoDevelop MonoDevelop is a cross-platform integrated development environment for C# and other .NET languages, known for its extensible add-in system and historic ties to the Mono runtime and…