Glossary

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access control list (ACL): Contains a list of users or groups and their security permissions. Identifies who can update, modify, or delete an object on a computer or resource on the network.
Active Server Pages (ASP pages): A technology that allows Web developers to combine scripts and HTML code to create dynamic Web content and Web-based applications.
administration port: The Internet Information Services (IIS) virtual server and port used for SharePoint Central Administration.
alert: A feature that notifies a user by e-mail when there is a change to an item, document, list, or document library on the Web site.
Anonymous authentication: An authentication method that provides access to users who do not have user accounts on the server computer.
Anonymous user access: The ability to gain access to a Web server on which one does not have an account. Usually, anonymous users have more restricted access rights than users with accounts.
application pool: In Internet Information Services (IIS), a group of one or more URLs served by a worker process.
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Basic authentication: An authentication protocol supported by most Web servers and browsers. Transmits the user name and password in clear text.
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cache: A special memory subsystem in which frequently used data values are duplicated for quick access.
Certificate authentication: An authentication method that provides security for TCP/IP connections. Also known as Secure Sockets Layer (SSL).
character set: A group of alphabetic, numeric, and other characters that have some relationship in common. For example, the standard ASCII character set includes letters, numbers, symbols, and control codes that make up the ASCII coding scheme. See also code page.
check in: To release the lock for editing and enable other users to view the updated file or check out the file.
check out: To lock a file while editing it to prevent others from overwriting or editing it inadvertently. Only the user who checks out a document can edit the document.
clear text: Unencrypted, non-machine dependent, ASCII text in readable form.
code page: An ordered set of characters in which a numeric index (code point) is associated with each character of a particular writing system. There are separate code pages for different writing systems, such as Western European and Cyrillic.
code point: A numeric value in Unicode encoding or in a code page; corresponds to a character. In the Western European code page, 132 is the code point for the character ä; however, in another code page, the code point 132 might correspond to a different character.
Common Gateway Interface (CGI): A standard method of extending Web server functionality by executing programs or scripts on a Web server in response to Web browser requests, such as in form processing. Use of CGI can make a Web page more dynamic.
configuration database: The Microsoft SQL Server or MSDE database that contains the configuration information that applies across all servers in a deployment of Windows SharePoint Services, such as virtual server information.
configuration property: A property that allows an administrator to control Windows SharePoint Services settings.
connection type: The type of Web Part connection. For example, the Provide Row To connection type passes a row of data from one Web Part to another Web Part, and the Get Filter From connection type gets a value from one Web Part and filters the data in another Web Part based on that value.
content database: The Microsoft SQL Server or WMSDE database that contains the content for one or more SharePoint sites.
cross-site group: A custom security group that applies to more than one Web site. A cross-site group can be assigned to a site group as if it was a single user.
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Digest Access authentication: An authentication method that transmits user names and passwords in a secure format.
discussion server: A computer that stores discussion text and information about the location of the file being discussed.
discussion thread: In a discussion board or Web discussions, a series of messages or comments in which replies to a message or comment are nested directly under it, instead of the messages or comments being arranged in chronological or alphabetical order.
document library: A folder where a collection of files is stored and the files often use the same template. Each file in a library is associated with user-defined information that is displayed in the content listing for that library.
Document Workspace site: A Web site based on the Document Workspace template that workspace members use for discussing, editing, and working together on a document.
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encryption: A method used to scramble the content of a file or data packet to make the data unreadable without the decryption key.
encryption key: A block of data that is used to encrypt or decrypt information.
encryption, 128-bit: A high level of encryption that uses a 128-bit key to scramble the contents of a file or data packet to make the data unreadable without the decryption key.
encryption, 40-bit: Low level of encryption that uses a 40-bit key to scramble the contents of a file or data packet to make the data unreadable without the decryption key.
extend: To apply Windows SharePoint Services to a virtual server.
extranet: An external Web site for an organization; usually secured so that only authorized users can gain access to it.
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file allocation table (FAT): A common format for file cataloging used by MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows operating systems to manage files on a hard disk; a physical method of storing and accessing files from a hard disk. The FAT contains a list of all files on the physical or logical drive.
File Transfer Protocol (FTP): A protocol used to gain remote access to a Web server.
firewall: A security system that uses a proxy server outside of an organization's network to protect the network against external threats, such as malicious users or corrupt files.
FrontPage Server Extensions: A set of programs and scripts that support authoring in Microsoft Office FrontPage and extend the functionality of a Web server.
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home page: The main page of a Web site. A home page usually has hyperlinks to other pages, both inside and outside the site.
hyperlink: A colored and underlined block of text or a graphic that a user clicks to go to a file, a location in a file, an HTML page on the World Wide Web, or an HTML page on an intranet. Hyperlinks can also go to newsgroups and to Gopher, Telnet, and FTP sites.
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Integrated Windows authentication: An authentication method that encrypts user names and passwords in a multiple-transaction interaction between client and server. Also known as Windows NT Challenge/Response authentication.
Internet: The worldwide collection of networks and gateways that use the TCP/IP suite of protocols to communicate with one another. If you have access to the Internet, you can retrieve information from millions of sources, including schools, governments, businesses, and individuals.
Internet Information Services (IIS): Software services from Microsoft that support Web site creation, configuration, and management, along with other Internet functions. Internet Information Services include Network News Transfer Protocol (NNTP), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), and Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP).
Internet Server Application Programming Interface (ISAPI): A Web server application-development interface, developed by Process Software and Microsoft, that can be used in place of CGI.
intranet: A private network for an organization based on Internet protocols such as TCP/IP.
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JScript: An object-based scripting language distantly and loosely related to Java. JScript code is inserted directly into an HTML page.
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list: A Web site component that stores and displays information that users can add to by using their browsers. Requires a Web server that is running Windows SharePoint Services.
local administrators group: The group of users who have permission to perform administration tasks on the local server computer. The permissions for this group are set by using the administration tools for the operating system.
locale ID (LCID): A 32-bit value defined by Microsoft Windows that identifies a particular language. The LCID consists of a language ID, a sort ID, and reserved bits. For example, the LCID for U.S. English is 1033, and the LCID for Japanese is 1041.
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Meeting Workspace site: A Web site based on a Meeting Workspace site template that is used for planning, posting, and working together on meeting materials, and following up after a meeting or series of meetings.
Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Desktop Engine (MSDE 2000): A data store based on Microsoft SQL Server technology, but designed and optimized for use on smaller computer systems, such as a single-user computer or a small workgroup server. Previously known as Microsoft Data Engine.
Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Desktop Engine (Windows) (WMSDE 2000): A version of MSDE 2000 designed specifically for Windows SharePoint Services.
multihosting: The ability of a Web server to support more than one Internet address and more than one home page. Also called multihoming.
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network domain name: A group of users in a network who share a common set of shared resources, such as server disk drives and printers. A large network may have several domains based upon the needs of each set of users.
NTFS file system: An advanced file system designed for use specifically with Microsoft Windows NT and later operating systems. NTFS allows for stronger security and more flexible file management methods than FAT. See also file allocation table (FAT).
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personal view: A view of a list, SharePoint document library, or Web Part Page that is available only to a particular user. The personal view of a Web Part Page uses a combination of shared property values and personalized property values. Changes made to a personal view apply only to the list, library, or page in that view and are therefore visible to that user only.
personalized Web Part: A shared Web Part that has been modified by a user in personal view. The changes made to a Web Part personalized in this way are visible only to the user who made those changes.
private Web Part: A Web Part added to a Web Part Page by a user who is working on the page in personal view. Private Web Parts are available only to the user who added or imported the Web Part.
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quiet installation: An installation run by using the /q command-line option that runs without generating any user prompts. Also known as unattended installation.
quota: A value that limits the amount of storage or number of users for a Web site.
quota template: A predefined set of quotas to apply to a site or to all sites on a virtual server.
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remote host: A Web server on a separate server computer. A remote host is connected to other servers by a network connection.
rights: File-level and folder-level permissions that allow access to a Web site.
role: See site group.
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scripting language: A programming language designed specifically for Web site programming. Examples include JScript and Microsoft Visual Basic Scripting Edition (VBScript).
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL): A proposed open standard that was developed by Netscape Communications for establishing a secure communications channel to prevent the interception of critical information, such as credit card numbers.
server farm: A centralized grouping of network servers maintained by an enterprise or, often, an Internet service provider (ISP). A server farm provides a network with load balancing, scalability, and fault tolerance. Individual servers may be connected in such a way that they appear to represent a single resource.
Setupsts.exe: The setup program for Windows SharePoint Services.
shared view: A view of a list, document library, or Web Part Page that every user with the appropriate rights for a site can see. The shared view of a Web Part Page uses shared property values. Changes made to a shared view apply to the list, library, or page as it appears to all users.
shared Web Part: A Web Part added to a Web Part Page by a user who is working on the page in shared view. Shared Web Parts are available to all users of a Web Part Page who have the appropriate permissions.
site: A group of related Web pages that is hosted by an HTTP server on the World Wide Web or an intranet. The pages in a Web site generally cover one or more topics and are interconnected through hyperlinks. Most Web sites have a home page as their starting point.
site collection: A set of Web sites on a virtual server that have the same owner and share administration settings. Each site collection contains a top-level Web site and can contain one or more subsites. There can be multiple site collections on each virtual server.
site group: A custom security group that applies to a specific Web site. Users are assigned to site groups to grant them rights on a SharePoint site.
SMTP mail server: An e-mail server that uses the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP). SMTP is a member of the TCP/IP suite of protocols that governs the exchange of electronic mail between message transfer agents.
SQL Server computer: A computer running Microsoft SQL Server with a configured database.
static Web Part: A Web Part added to a Web page (.aspx) and that is not in a Web Part zone.
subsite: A complete Web site stored in a named subdirectory of the top-level Web site. Each subsite can have administration, authoring, and browsing permissions that are independent from the top-level Web site and other subsites.
survey: A Web site component that presents users with a set of questions specified by the creator of the survey and collects user responses. Results are tallied in a graphical summary. A survey requires a Web server that is running Windows SharePoint Services.
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tool pane: A task pane on a Web Part Page used to browse, search for, and import Web Parts from Web Part galleries, and to modify custom and common Web Part properties.
tool part: A control in the tool pane that allows users to set properties, execute commands, invoke wizards, and manipulate Web Parts on a Web Part Page.
top-level Web site: The default, top-level site provided by a Web server or virtual server. To gain access to the top-level Web site, you supply the URL of the server without specifying a page name or subsite.
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Uniform Resource Locator (URL): An address that specifies a protocol (such as HTTP or FTP) and a location of an object, document, World Wide Web page, or other destination on the Internet or an intranet. Example: http://www.microsoft.com/.
usage analysis: Data collected to evaluate how a Web site is being used, such as visitor user names, number of visits to each page, and the types of Web browsers used.
user locale: A setting that determines formats and sort orders for date, time, currency, and so on. Also known as regional settings.
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vCard: The Internet standard for creating and sharing virtual business cards.
versioning: The process of creating a backup copy of a document or picture whenever a revision is saved to the library.
virtual server: A virtual computer that resides on an HTTP server but appears to the user as a separate HTTP server. Several virtual servers can reside on one computer, each capable of running its own programs and each with individualized access to input and peripheral devices. Each virtual server can have its own domain name and IP address.
Visual Basic Scripting Edition (VBScript): A subset of the Visual Basic for Applications programming language optimized for Web-related programming. As with Microsoft JScript, code for VBScript is embedded in HTML documents.
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Web address: The path to an object, document, file, page, or other destination. An address can be a URL (Web address) or a UNC path (network address), and can include a specific location within a file, such as a Word bookmark or an Excel cell range. Also known as address.
Web discussion: Comments that users attach to Web pages and documents. Known as Web discussions to differentiate from discussion boards. Requires a Web server that is running SharePoint Team Services or Windows SharePoint Services.
Web farm: See server farm.
Web Part: A modular unit of information that consists of a title bar, a frame, and content. Web Parts are the basic building blocks of a Web Part Page. A Web Part is the combination of a Web Part Description file (.dwp) and a Web Part assembly file (.dll). All Web Parts are based on Web Custom Controls.
Web Part description file (.dwp): An XML file that defines default property settings for installing a Web Part, including references to any other files required to run and display the part.
Web Part Page: A special type of Web page that contains one or more Web Parts. A Web Part Page consolidates data, such as lists and charts, and Web content, such as text and images, into a dynamic information portal built around a common task or special interest.
Web server: A computer that hosts Web pages and responds to requests from browsers. Also known as an HTTP server, a Web server stores files whose URLs begin with http://.
workspace site: A subsite based on the Document Workspace or Meeting Workspace site templates.