LogfileThe Microsoft Windows NT Logfile, officially designated as $Logfile, is a special system file used by Microsoft Windows NT to keep track of what it is…
Logical File SpaceThe actual amount of space occupied by a file on a hard drive. The amount of logical file space differs from the physical file space because when a file…
Logical VolumeAn area on the hard drive that has been formatted for files storage. A hard drive may contain a single or multiple volumes.
lossless compressionExact construction of image, bit-by-bit, with no loss of information.
lossy compressionReduces storage size of image by reducing the resolution and color fidelity while maintaining minimum acceptable standard for general use.
LTO (Linear Tape-Open)A type of backup tape which can hold as much as 400 GB of data, or 600 CDs depending on the data file format.
LZW (Lempel-Ziv & Welch)A common, lossless compression standard for computer graphics, used for most TIFF files. Typical compression ratios are 4/1.
MAC AddressIn computer networking a Media Access Control address (MAC address) is a unique identifier attached to most network adapters (NICs).
MagentaUsed in four color printing. Reflects blue & red and absorbs green.
Magnetic/Optical Storage MediaIncludes, but is not limited to, hard drives, backup tapes, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, Jaz and Zip drives.
Magneto-Optical DriveA drive that combines laser and magnetic technology to create high-capacity erasable storage.
MailboxAn area on a storage device where email is placed. In email systems, each user has a private mailbox.
Make-Available ProductionA process whereby what is usually a large universe of all potentially responsive documents are made available to the requestor; from this universe, the…
MAPI (Mail Application Program Interface)A Windows software standard that has become a popular email interface used by MS Exchange, GroupWise, and other email packages.
MAPI Mail Near-LineDocuments stored on optical discs or compact discs that are housed in the jukebox or CD changer and can be retrieved without human intervention.
MarginaliaHandwritten notes in the margin of the page in documents.
Master File Table (MFT)A unique system file that essentially acts as a database, containing information on all the files and subdirectories located within the NTFS logical…
MasteringMaking many copies of a disc from a single master disc.
MD5message-digest algorithm meant for digital signature applications where a large message has to be compressed in a secure manner before being signed with…
MDE (Magnetic Disc Emulation)Software that makes a jukebox look and operate like a hard-drive such that it will respond to all the I/O commands ordinarily sent to a hard drive.
MediaAny organization in the business of informing the public with news or commentary.
Media ConversionMoving data from one type of media to another such as tape to CD.
Megabyte (Meg)One megabyte of data is equal to one million bytes.
memoryData storage in the form of chips, or the actual chips used to hold data; storage is used to describe memory that exists on tapes or discs.
menuA list of options, each of which performs a desired action such as choosing a command or applying a particular format to a part of a document.
MergeThe process of merging various email files into one file for de-duplication purposes.
Message HeaderMessage headers generally contain the identities of the author and recipients, the subject of the message, and the date the message was sent.
Meta dataData about data; resides in the shadows of a document and usually includes information such as, author, recipient, creation date, modified date, etc.
metadataMetadata is information about a particular data set which may describe, for example, how, when, and by whom it was received, created, accessed, and/or…
Metadata ComparisonA method of de-duplication that compares file metadata and ignores content. See De-Duplication.
MFT (Master File Table)Index to files on a computer. If corrupt, a drive may be unusable, yet data may be retrievable using forensic methods.
microficheSheet microfilm (4 by 6) containing reduced images of 270 pages or more in a grid pattern.
Migrated DataData that has been transferred from one database or format to another that is generally done when migrating from one form of hardware or software…
migrationMoving files to another computer application or platform; may require conversion to a different format.
Mirror ImageUsed in computer forensic investigations and some electronic discovery investigations, a mirror image is a bit-by-bit copy of a computer hard drive that…
mirroringThe duplication of data for purposes of backup or to distribute Internet or network traffic among several servers with identical data.
MIS (Management Information Systems)In general, a computer-based system that provides IT personnel with the necessary tools for categorizing, assessing, and efficiently running an…
ModemA device that allows a computer system to transmit data over telephone or cable lines.
MonochromeDisplays capable of only two colors, usually black and white, or black and green.
MosaicA web browser popular before the introduction of Netscape and Internet Explorer.
Mount/MountingThe process of making off-line data available for on-line processing. For example, placing a magnetic tape in a drive and setting up the software to…
MPEG-1 & -2Two different standards for full motion video to digital compression/decompression techniques advanced by the Moving Pictures Experts Group.
MS-DOSMicrosoft (MS)-Disc Operating System. Used in PCs as the control system.
MTTR (Mean Time To Repair)Average time to repair. The higher the number, the more costly and difficult to fix.
MultimediaThe combined use of different media; integrated video, audio, text and data graphics in digital form.
MultisynchAnalog video monitors which can receive a wide range of display resolutions, usually including TV (NTSC).
Native EnvironmentThe original configuration (software, passwords, server configuration, etc.) of a backup tape or email system.
Native FileA file in its original file format that has not been converted to a digital image or other file format
Native File FormatElectronic documents produced as originally maintained and used (e.g. Microsoft Word).
Native FormatElectronic documents have an associated file structure defined by the original creating application.
Natural Language SearchA manner of searching that permits the use of plain language without special connectors or precise terminology, such as Where can I find information on…
Near-Line DataA term used to refer to data or a robotic storage device (robotic library) that houses removable media, uses robotic arms to access the media, and uses…
Near-Line Data StorageStorage in a system that is not a direct part of the network in daily use, but that can be accessed through the network.
NestingDocument nesting occurs when one document is inserted within another document (i.e.
Net"Net" means the value of your assets after subtracting your debts.
NetworkThe facilities, providers and suppliers your health insurer or plan has contracted with to provide health care services.
Network GearRefers to the actual hardware used in the operation of networks for example routers, switches and hubs.
Neural NetworkNeural networks are made up of interconnected processing elements called units, which respond in parallel to a set of input signals given to each
NISTNational Institute of Standards and Technology - a federal technology agency that works with industry to develop and apply technology measurements and…
nodeAny device connected to network. PCs, servers, and printers are all nodes on the network.
Non Party CustodianNon Party Custodians may possess ESI relevant to the matter, but their company or entity are not party (named) to the litigation.
Non Party System Generated CustodianESI generated from a non party enterprise application such as financial systems, dynamic monitoring systems and more may not have a clear Custodian.
Non-InterlaceWhen each line of a video image is scanned separately. Computer monitors use noninterlaced video.
Non-native Environmentproprietary RenewData process in which electronic data is obtained directly from backup tapes without the need to recreate a native environment.
NSFLotus Notes Format Database File (i.e. database.nsf) Can be either an email database or the traditional type of fielded database.
Objective CodingThe process of manually reviewing a document and completing database fields with easily ascertainable information about the document.
ObjectsIn programming terminology, an object is a freestanding block of code that defines the properties of some thing.
Obstruction of Justiceaccording to Black's law dictionary, obstruction of justice means "impeding or obstructing those who seek justice in a court, or those who have duties or…
OCR (Optical Character Recognition)A technology process that translates and converts printed matter on an image into a format that a computer can manipulate (ASCII codes, for example) and…
OCR TextOptical Character Recognition; searchable text that corresponds to a document image; an OCR software program designed to read a document image generates…
Off-line DataThe storage of electronic data outside the network in daily use (i.e., on backup tapes) that is only accessible through the off-line storage system, not…
Off-Line StorageElectronic records stored or archived on removable disc (optical, compact, etc.
OfflineWhen computers and other devices are not connected to the network.
OLEObject Linking and Embedding. A feature in Microsofts Windows which allows each section of a compound document to call up its own editing tools or special…
On-Line ReviewThe culling process produces a dataset of potentially responsive documents which are then reviewed for a final selection of relevant or responsive…
On-line StorageThe storage of electronic data as fully accessible information in daily use on the network or elsewhere.
On-site ExtractionThe extraction of high volumes of data from backup tapes at a client site (no risk of loss of original evidence).
OnlineWhen computers and other devices are connected to the network.
Onsite Extractionthe extraction of high volumes of data from backup tapes at a client site (no risk of loss of original evidence) â RenewData patent-pending…
operating systemSoftware which directs the overall activity of a computer (e.g. MS-DOS , Windows , Linux , etcetera).
Operating System (OS)(OS)The software that the rest of the software depends on to make the computer functional. On most PCs this is Windows or the Macintosh OS.
Optical Character Recognition(OCR) Optical character recognition is a technology which takes data from a paper document and turns it editable text data. The document is first scanned.
Optical DiscsComputer media similar to a compact disc that cannot be rewritten. An optical drive uses a laser to read the stored data.
Organizational CustodianBusiness units, committees and other groups may create, modify and propagate ESI without clear individual ownership.
Organizational System Generated CustodianESI generated from an enterprise application such as financial systems, dynamic monitoring systems and more may not have a clear Custodian.
OSTA Microsoft Outlook information store that is used to save folder information that can be accessed offline.
OST file formatFile format used by the Microsoft Outlook as an offline folder file to make it possible for the user to work offline and then to synchronize changes with…