MOD is a computer file format used primarily to represent music, and was the first module file format. MOD files use the “.MOD” file extension, except on the Amiga where the original trackers instead use a “mod.” prefix scheme, e.g. “mod.echoing”. A MOD file contains a set of instruments in the form of samples, a number of patterns indicating how and when the samples are to be played, and a list of what patterns to play in what order.

History

The first version of the format was created by Karsten Obarski for use in the Ultimate Soundtracker; tracker software released for the Amiga computer in 1987. The format has since been supported by hundreds of playback programs and dozens of other trackers.

The original version of the MOD format featured four channels of simultaneous audio playback, corresponding to the capabilities of the original Amiga chipset, and up to 15 instruments.

Later variations of the format have extended this to up to 32 channels and 31 instruments.

The format was designed to be directly playable on the Amiga without additional processing: for example, samples are stored in 8-bit PCM format ready to be played on the Amiga DACs, and pattern data is not packed. Playback required very little CPU time on an Amiga, and many games used MOD files for their background music.

Format may refer to:

Computing:

FORMAT is a function in Common Lisp that can produce formatted text using a format string similar to the printf format string. It provides more functionality than printf, allowing the user to output numbers in English, apply certain format specifiers only under certain conditions, iterate over data structures, and output in a tabular format. This functionally originates in MIT's Lisp Machine Lisp, where it was based on Multics ioa_.

Example

An example of a C printf call is the following:

Using Common Lisp, this is equivalent to:

Another example would be to print every element of list delimited with commas, which can be done using the ~{, ~^ and ~} directives:

Note that not only is the list of values iterated over directly by FORMAT, but the commas correctly are printed between items, not after them. A yet more complex example would be printing out a list using customary English phrasing:

Whilst FORMAT is somewhat infamous for its tendency to become opaque and hard to read, it provides a remarkably concise yet powerful syntax for a specialised and common need.

Format is a German weekly finance and business magazine published in Austria and headquartered in Vienna.

History and profile

Format was established in 1998. The magazine has its headquarters in Vienna and is published weekly on Fridays. The publisher is the Verlagsgruppe NEWS.Gruner + Jahr has a stake in the magazine.

Format covers topics mainly on business, politics, culture and lifestyles. The magazine also features the views of bankers, trade experts and financiers. One of its former editors-in-chief is Peter Pelinka.

Format had a circulation of 68,000 copies in 2003. Its circulation was 50,000 copies in 2007. The sold circulation of the weekly was 47,155 copies in 2009. Its circulation in 2012 was 31,021 copies. The circulation of the magazine during the first half of 2013 was 39,296 copies.

See also

List of magazines in Austria

References

A file is a metalworking, woodworking and plastic working tool used to cut fine amounts of material from a work piece. It most commonly refers to the hand tool style, which takes the form of a steel bar with a case hardened surface and a series of sharp, parallel teeth. Most files have a narrow, pointed tang at one end to which a handle can be fitted.

A similar tool is the rasp. This is an older form, with simpler teeth. As they have larger clearance between teeth, these are usually used on softer, non-metallic materials.

Related tools have been developed with abrasive surfaces, such as diamond abrasives or silicon carbide. Because of their similar form and function, these have also been termed 'files'.

History

Early filing or rasping (the distinction is emic, not etic) has prehistoric roots and grew naturally out of the blending of the twin inspirations of cutting with stone cutting tools (such as hand axes) and abrading using natural abrasives, such as well-suited types of stone (for example, sandstone). Relatedly, lapping is also quite ancient, with wood and beach sand offering a natural pair of lap and lapping compound. The Disston authors state, "To abrade, or file, ancient man used sand, grit, coral, bone, fish skin, and gritty woods,—also stone of varying hardness in connection with sand and water."

A 201 file is set of documents maintained by the US government for members of the United States armed forces. 201 files usually contain documents describing the member's military and civilian education history. A 201 file may also contain personal information such as home of record, and awards documents. Typically, a 201 file contains one or more of the following:

The 201 file is an important document for service members to maintain, as the documents it contains are important for access to benefits such as the VA Loan and the GI Bill.

Copies of the 201 file can also be requested from the National Archives by service members and their families.

The Central Intelligence Agency also uses the term "201 File" to refer to their own personnel records used for analogous purposes.

File 770 is a long-running science fiction fanzine and newszine published by Mike Glyer. It is named after the now legendary room party held in Room 770 at Nolacon, the 9th World Science Fiction Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana, that upstaged the other events at that 1951 Worldcon.

The publication has won the Hugo Award for Best Fanzine six times, in 1984, 1985, 1989, 2000, 2001, and 2008.File 770 is a frequent nominee in the category having made the final Hugo ballot in 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, and 2010 in addition to the years in which it was the winner.

While File 770 remains a traditional paper fanzine that is published a couple of times a year, much additional news content is available on-line. This is through its eFanzines edition edited daily by Glyer, who is a regular member of the fannish side of the blogosphere.

Glyer started the newszine in 1978 to report on fan clubs, conventions, fannish projects, fans, fanzines and sf awards, and to publish controversial articles.