I would like to suggest that could someone take the time to host a 'Glossary' of terms used in Maya, as I find myself unsure what half of the terms used mean. For example, I really started this thread because I've just seen a quick video on ASHLI shaders but it didn't explain what they were or what they are used for to well.

Could someone explain the uses and meaning of:

ASHLI Shaders
PSD Network
HDRI
Mental Ray
Render Globals

Thanks