Chapter 36. Windows SharePoint Services

In This Chapter

• The History of SharePoint Technologies

• Identifying the Need for Windows SharePoint Services

• Installing Windows SharePoint Services

• Exploring Basic Windows SharePoint Services Features

• Exploring End User Features in WSS

• Customizing and Developing WSS Sites

Windows Server 2003 has already established itself as a robust, capable operating system loaded with a rich set of features. Built-in tools and services provide for a wide range of functionality unsurpassed in other products and older versions of Windows. In addition to these capabilities, Windows Server 2003 also contains native support and licensing for additional services that can be freely downloaded, installed, and supported. One of these tools is Windows SharePoint Services (WSS).

With the new version of SharePoint technologies, Microsoft introduces what it considers to be the next-generation platform for file sharing and collaboration. There is a great deal of confusion today about the exact nature of SharePoint. This confusion is based on the fact that SharePoint Technologies are composed of two distinct products: Windows SharePoint Services, the focus of this chapter, and a separate application called SharePoint Portal Server 2003.

This chapter focuses on how Windows SharePoint Services can be effectively used to extend the functionality of Windows Server 2003. The history and capabilities of WSS are described, and generic design and installation options are explained. Key differences between WSS and the full Portal product, SharePoint Portal Server 2003, are also outlined and explained. Updates to Windows SharePoint Services in Windows Server 2003 R2 are described and the installation of WSS is covered, along with a demonstration of base functionality.