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[[Image:This page your viewing 2.PNG|right|thumb|300px|This page as shown in the AOL 9.0 browser screen.]]
According to the definition in [[Associated Press]], a '''website''' (or '''web site''') is a collection of [[web pages]], typically common to a particular [[domain name]] or [[subdomain]] on the [[World Wide Web]] on the [[Internet]].
A web page is a document, typically written in [[HTML]], that is almost always accessible via [[HTTP]], a protocol that transfers information from the website's [[server]] to display in the user's [[web browser]].
All publicly accessible websites are seen as constituting a mammoth "[[World Wide Web]]"http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/button_bold.png
Bold text of information.
The pages of a website will be accessed from a common root [[URL]] called the [[homepage]], and usually reside on the same physical server. The URLs of the pages organize them into a hierarchy, although the [[hyperlink]]s between them control how the reader perceives the overall structure and how the [[Web traffic|traffic]] flows between the different parts of the sites.
Some websites require a [[subscription]] to access some or all of their content. Examples of subscription sites include many [[Internet pornography]] sites, parts of many [[news]] sites, gaming sites, [[Internet forum|message boards]], Web-based [[e-mail]] services, and sites providing [[real-time]] [[stock market]] data.
==History==
The first on-line website appeared in [[1991]]. On [[30 April]] [[1993]], [[CERN]] announced that the World Wide Web would be free to anyone. A copy of the original first Web page, created by [[Tim Berners-Lee]], is kept [http://www.w3.org/History/19921103-hypertext/hypertext/WWW/TheProject.html here].
==Overview==
A website may be the work of an individual, a business or other organization and is typically dedicated to some particular topic or purpose. Any website can contain a hyperlink to any other website, so the distinction between individual sites, as perceived by the user, may sometimes be blurred.
Websites are written in, or dynamically converted to, HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) and are accessed using a [[software]] program called a [[Web browser]], also known as an HTTP client. Web pages can be viewed or otherwise accessed from a range of computer based and Internet enabled devices of various sizes, including desktop computers, laptop computers, [[Personal Digital Assistant|PDA]]s and cell phones.
A website is [[Web hosting service|hosted]] on a computer system known as a [[web server]], also called an HTTP server, and these terms can also refer to the [[software]] that runs on these system and that retrieves and delivers the Web pages in response to requests from the website users. [[Apache HTTP Server|Apache]] is the most commonly used Web server software (according to [[Netcraft]] statistics) and [[Microsoft]]'s [[Internet Information Server]] (IIS) is also commonly used.
A static website, is one that has content that is not expected to change frequently and is manually maintained by some person or persons using some type of editor software. There are three broad categories of editor software used for this purpose which are
*[[Text editor]]s. such as [[Notepad]] or [[TextEdit]], where the HTML is manipulated directly within the editor program
*[[WYSIWYG]] editors. such as [[Microsoft FrontPage]] and [[Macromedia Dreamweaver]], where the site is edited using a [[GUI]] interface and the underlying HTML is generated automatically by the editor software
*Template-based editors, such as [[Rapidweaver]] and [[iWeb]], which allow users to quickly create and upload websites to a web server without having to know anything about HTML, as they just pick a suitable template from a palette and add pictures and text to it in a [[Desktop publishing|DTP]]-like fashion without ever having to see any HTML code.
A dynamic website is one that has frequently changing information or interacts with the user from various methods ([[HTTP cookies]] or [[database]] variables e.g., previous history, session variables, server side variables, e.g., environmental data, etc.) or direct interaction (form elements, [[mouseover]]s, etc. When the Web server receives a request for a given page, the page is automatically retrieved from storage by the software in response to the page request, thus opening up many possibilities, including for example: a site can display the current state of a dialogue between users, monitor a changing situation, or provide information in some way personalized to the requirements of the individual user.
There is a wide range of software systems, such as [[ColdFusion]] (CFM), [[Active Server Pages]] (ASP), [[Java Server Pages]] (JSP) and the [[PHP]] programming language that are available to generate dynamic Web systems and dynamic sites. Sites may also include content that is retrieved from one or more [[database]]s or by using [[XML]]-based technologies such as [[RSS (file format)|RSS]].
Static content may also be dynamically generated either periodically, or if certain conditions for regeneration occur (cached) in order to avoid the performance loss of initiating the dynamic engine on a per-user or per-connection basis.
[[Plugin]]s are available to expand the features and abilities of Web browsers, which use them to show ''active content,'' such as [[Macromedia Flash|Flash]], [[Macromedia Shockwave|Shockwave]] or [[applet]]s written in [[Java programming language|Java]]. [[Dynamic HTML]] also provides for user interactivity and realtime element updating within Web pages (i.e., pages don't have to be loaded or reloaded to effect any changes), mainly using the [[Document Object Model|DOM]] and [[JavaScript]], support which is built-in to most modern Web browsers.
== Spelling ==
As noted above, there are several different spellings for this term. Although "website" is commonly used, the [[Associated Press Stylebook]], [[Reuters]], [[Microsoft]], academia, and dictionaries such as [[Oxford Dictionary|Oxford]] and [[Merriam-Webster]] use the two-word, capitalised spelling "Web site". This is because "Web" is not a general term but a shortened form of "World Wide Web". An alternative version of the two-word spelling is not capitalised. As with many newly created terms, it may take some time before a common spelling is finalised. (This controversy also applies to derivative terms such as "Web master"/"webmaster".)
The [[Canadian Oxford Dictionary]] and the Canadian Press Stylebook list "website" and "web page" as the preferred spellings.
== Types of websites ==
There are many varieties of Web sites, each specialising in a particular type of content or use, and they may be arbitrarily classified in any number of ways. A few such classifications might include:
*[[Affiliate]]: enabled [[Web portal|portal]] that renders not only its custom [[Content management system|CMS]] but also syndicated content from other content providers for an agreed fee. There are usually three relationship tiers. [[Affiliate Agencies]] (e.g [[Commission Junction]]), [[Advertisers]] (e.g [[Ebay]]) and consumer (e.g [[Yahoo]]). Combinations exist (e.g [http://www.Adbrite.com Adbrite]).
*[[Archive site]]: used to preserve valuable electronic content threatened with extinction. Two examples are: [[Internet Archive]], which since [[1996]] has preserved billions of old (and new) Web pages; and [[Google Groups]], which in early [[2005]] was archiving over 845,000,000 messages posted to [[Usenet]] news/discussion groups.
*[[Blog]] (or '''Web log''') site: site used to log online readings or to post online diaries; may include discussion forums. Examples: [[blogger.com|blogger]], [[Xanga]].
*Business site: used for promoting a [[business]] or service.
*[[Commerce site]] or [[Electronic commerce|eCommerce]] site: for purchasing goods, such as [[Amazon.com]].
*[[Community site]]: a site where persons with similar interests communicate with each other, usually by [[chat]] or message boards, such as [[MySpace]].
*[[Database]] site: a site whose main use is the search and display of a specific database's content such as the [[Internet Movie Database]] or the [[Political Graveyard]].
*Development site: a site whose purpose is to provide information and resources related to [[software engineering|software development]], [[Web design]] and the like.
*[[directory (databases)|Directory]] site: a site that contains varied contents which are divided into categories and subcategories, such as [[Yahoo!]] directory, [[Google]] directory and [[Open Directory Project]].
*[[Download site]]: strictly used for [[downloading]] electronic content, such as [[software]], [[game demo]]s or [[computer wallpaper]].
*[[Employment website]]: allows [[employers]] to post job requirements for a position or positions to be filled using the [[internet]] to advertise world wide. A prospective employee can locate and fill out a job application or submit a resume for the advertised position.
*[[Game site]]: a site that is itself a game or "playground" where many people come to play, such as [[MSN]] Games and [[Pogo.com]].
*[[Geodomain]] refers to domain names that are the same as those of geographic entities, such as cities and countries. For example, Richmond.com[http://www.richmond.com]is the geodomain for Richmond, Virginia.
*[[Humor site]]: satirizes, parodies or otherwise exists solely to amuse.
*[[Information site]]: contains content that is intended to inform visitors, but not necessarily for commercial purposes; such as: [[RateMyProfessors.com]], [[Free Internet Lexicon and Encyclopedia]]. Most government, educational and non-profit institutions have an informational site.
*[[Java applet]] site: contains software to run over the Web as a [[Web application]].
*[[Mirror (computing)]] site: A complete reproduction of a website.
*[[News site]]: similar to an information site, but dedicated to dispensing news and commentary.
*[[Personal homepage]]: run by an individual or a small group (such as a [[family]]) that contains information or any content that the individual wishes to include.
*Phish site: a website created to fraudulently acquire sensitive information, such as passwords and credit card details, by masquerading as a trustworthy person or business (such as [[Social Security Administration]], [[PayPal]]) in an electronic communication. (see [[Phishing]]).
*[[Political site]]: A Web sites on which people may voice political views.
*[[Pornography]] (porn) site: a site that shows pornographic images and videos.
*[[Rating site]]: A site on which people can praise or disparage what is featured. Examples: ratemycar.com, ratemygun.com, ratemypet.com, hotornot.com.
*[[Review site]]: A site on which people can post reviews for products or services.
*[[Search engine]] site: a site that provides general information and is intended as a gateway or lookup for other sites. A pure example is [[Google]], and the most widely known extended type is [[Yahoo!]].
*[[Shock site]]: includes [[image]]s or other material that is intended to be offensive to most viewers. Examples: [[rotten.com]], ratemypoo.com.
*[[Gripe site]]: a Web site devoted to the critique of a person, place, corporation, government, or institution.
*[[Web portal]] site: a website that provides a starting point, a gateway, or portal, to other resources on the Internet or an intranet.
*Wedsite: a website that details a couple's wedding event, often sharing stories, photos, and event information.
*[[Wiki]] site: a site which users collaboratively edit (such as [[Wikipedia]]).
Some sites may be included in one or more of these categories. For example, a business website may promote the business's products, but may also host informative documents, such as [[white paper]]s. There are also numerous sub-categories to the ones listed above. For example, a [[porn]] site is a specific type of eCommerce site or business site (that is, it is trying to sell memberships for access to its site). A [[fan site]] may be a vanity site on which the [[System administrator|administrator]] is paying homage to a [[celebrity]].
Many business websites have the appearance of [[wiktionary:brochure|brochure]]s—that is, an [[advertisement]] that can be browsed around. Some websites act as vehicles for users to communicate with other people via [[Web chat]].
Websites are constrained by architectural limits (e.g. the computing power dedicated to the website). Very large websites, such as [[Yahoo!]], [[Microsoft]], and [[Google]], employ many servers and load balancing equipment, such as [[Cisco Systems|Cisco]] Content Services [[Network switch|Switch]]es.
In October of 2006, [[Netcraft]], an Internet monitoring company that has tracked Web growth since 1995, says a mammoth milestone was reached. Netcraft reported that there are currently 100 million Web sites with domain names and content on them, compared to just 18,000 Web sites in August 1995.
According to the definition in [[Associated Press]], a '''website''' (or '''web site''') is a collection of [[web pages]], typically common to a particular [[domain name]] or [[subdomain]] on the [[World Wide Web]] on the [[Internet]].
A web page is a document, typically written in [[HTML]], that is almost always accessible via [[HTTP]], a protocol that transfers information from the website's [[server]] to display in the user's [[web browser]].
All publicly accessible websites are seen as constituting a mammoth "[[World Wide Web]]"http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/button_bold.png
Bold text of information.
The pages of a website will be accessed from a common root [[URL]] called the [[homepage]], and usually reside on the same physical server. The URLs of the pages organize them into a hierarchy, although the [[hyperlink]]s between them control how the reader perceives the overall structure and how the [[Web traffic|traffic]] flows between the different parts of the sites.
Some websites require a [[subscription]] to access some or all of their content. Examples of subscription sites include many [[Internet pornography]] sites, parts of many [[news]] sites, gaming sites, [[Internet forum|message boards]], Web-based [[e-mail]] services, and sites providing [[real-time]] [[stock market]] data.
==History==
The first on-line website appeared in [[1991]]. On [[30 April]] [[1993]], [[CERN]] announced that the World Wide Web would be free to anyone. A copy of the original first Web page, created by [[Tim Berners-Lee]], is kept [http://www.w3.org/History/19921103-hypertext/hypertext/WWW/TheProject.html here].
==Overview==
A website may be the work of an individual, a business or other organization and is typically dedicated to some particular topic or purpose. Any website can contain a hyperlink to any other website, so the distinction between individual sites, as perceived by the user, may sometimes be blurred.
Websites are written in, or dynamically converted to, HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) and are accessed using a [[software]] program called a [[Web browser]], also known as an HTTP client. Web pages can be viewed or otherwise accessed from a range of computer based and Internet enabled devices of various sizes, including desktop computers, laptop computers, [[Personal Digital Assistant|PDA]]s and cell phones.
A website is [[Web hosting service|hosted]] on a computer system known as a [[web server]], also called an HTTP server, and these terms can also refer to the [[software]] that runs on these system and that retrieves and delivers the Web pages in response to requests from the website users. [[Apache HTTP Server|Apache]] is the most commonly used Web server software (according to [[Netcraft]] statistics) and [[Microsoft]]'s [[Internet Information Server]] (IIS) is also commonly used.
A static website, is one that has content that is not expected to change frequently and is manually maintained by some person or persons using some type of editor software. There are three broad categories of editor software used for this purpose which are
*[[Text editor]]s. such as [[Notepad]] or [[TextEdit]], where the HTML is manipulated directly within the editor program
*[[WYSIWYG]] editors. such as [[Microsoft FrontPage]] and [[Macromedia Dreamweaver]], where the site is edited using a [[GUI]] interface and the underlying HTML is generated automatically by the editor software
*Template-based editors, such as [[Rapidweaver]] and [[iWeb]], which allow users to quickly create and upload websites to a web server without having to know anything about HTML, as they just pick a suitable template from a palette and add pictures and text to it in a [[Desktop publishing|DTP]]-like fashion without ever having to see any HTML code.
A dynamic website is one that has frequently changing information or interacts with the user from various methods ([[HTTP cookies]] or [[database]] variables e.g., previous history, session variables, server side variables, e.g., environmental data, etc.) or direct interaction (form elements, [[mouseover]]s, etc. When the Web server receives a request for a given page, the page is automatically retrieved from storage by the software in response to the page request, thus opening up many possibilities, including for example: a site can display the current state of a dialogue between users, monitor a changing situation, or provide information in some way personalized to the requirements of the individual user.
There is a wide range of software systems, such as [[ColdFusion]] (CFM), [[Active Server Pages]] (ASP), [[Java Server Pages]] (JSP) and the [[PHP]] programming language that are available to generate dynamic Web systems and dynamic sites. Sites may also include content that is retrieved from one or more [[database]]s or by using [[XML]]-based technologies such as [[RSS (file format)|RSS]].
Static content may also be dynamically generated either periodically, or if certain conditions for regeneration occur (cached) in order to avoid the performance loss of initiating the dynamic engine on a per-user or per-connection basis.
[[Plugin]]s are available to expand the features and abilities of Web browsers, which use them to show ''active content,'' such as [[Macromedia Flash|Flash]], [[Macromedia Shockwave|Shockwave]] or [[applet]]s written in [[Java programming language|Java]]. [[Dynamic HTML]] also provides for user interactivity and realtime element updating within Web pages (i.e., pages don't have to be loaded or reloaded to effect any changes), mainly using the [[Document Object Model|DOM]] and [[JavaScript]], support which is built-in to most modern Web browsers.
== Spelling ==
As noted above, there are several different spellings for this term. Although "website" is commonly used, the [[Associated Press Stylebook]], [[Reuters]], [[Microsoft]], academia, and dictionaries such as [[Oxford Dictionary|Oxford]] and [[Merriam-Webster]] use the two-word, capitalised spelling "Web site". This is because "Web" is not a general term but a shortened form of "World Wide Web". An alternative version of the two-word spelling is not capitalised. As with many newly created terms, it may take some time before a common spelling is finalised. (This controversy also applies to derivative terms such as "Web master"/"webmaster".)
The [[Canadian Oxford Dictionary]] and the Canadian Press Stylebook list "website" and "web page" as the preferred spellings.
== Types of websites ==
There are many varieties of Web sites, each specialising in a particular type of content or use, and they may be arbitrarily classified in any number of ways. A few such classifications might include:
*[[Affiliate]]: enabled [[Web portal|portal]] that renders not only its custom [[Content management system|CMS]] but also syndicated content from other content providers for an agreed fee. There are usually three relationship tiers. [[Affiliate Agencies]] (e.g [[Commission Junction]]), [[Advertisers]] (e.g [[Ebay]]) and consumer (e.g [[Yahoo]]). Combinations exist (e.g [http://www.Adbrite.com Adbrite]).
*[[Archive site]]: used to preserve valuable electronic content threatened with extinction. Two examples are: [[Internet Archive]], which since [[1996]] has preserved billions of old (and new) Web pages; and [[Google Groups]], which in early [[2005]] was archiving over 845,000,000 messages posted to [[Usenet]] news/discussion groups.
*[[Blog]] (or '''Web log''') site: site used to log online readings or to post online diaries; may include discussion forums. Examples: [[blogger.com|blogger]], [[Xanga]].
*Business site: used for promoting a [[business]] or service.
*[[Commerce site]] or [[Electronic commerce|eCommerce]] site: for purchasing goods, such as [[Amazon.com]].
*[[Community site]]: a site where persons with similar interests communicate with each other, usually by [[chat]] or message boards, such as [[MySpace]].
*[[Database]] site: a site whose main use is the search and display of a specific database's content such as the [[Internet Movie Database]] or the [[Political Graveyard]].
*Development site: a site whose purpose is to provide information and resources related to [[software engineering|software development]], [[Web design]] and the like.
*[[directory (databases)|Directory]] site: a site that contains varied contents which are divided into categories and subcategories, such as [[Yahoo!]] directory, [[Google]] directory and [[Open Directory Project]].
*[[Download site]]: strictly used for [[downloading]] electronic content, such as [[software]], [[game demo]]s or [[computer wallpaper]].
*[[Employment website]]: allows [[employers]] to post job requirements for a position or positions to be filled using the [[internet]] to advertise world wide. A prospective employee can locate and fill out a job application or submit a resume for the advertised position.
*[[Game site]]: a site that is itself a game or "playground" where many people come to play, such as [[MSN]] Games and [[Pogo.com]].
*[[Geodomain]] refers to domain names that are the same as those of geographic entities, such as cities and countries. For example, Richmond.com[http://www.richmond.com]is the geodomain for Richmond, Virginia.
*[[Humor site]]: satirizes, parodies or otherwise exists solely to amuse.
*[[Information site]]: contains content that is intended to inform visitors, but not necessarily for commercial purposes; such as: [[RateMyProfessors.com]], [[Free Internet Lexicon and Encyclopedia]]. Most government, educational and non-profit institutions have an informational site.
*[[Java applet]] site: contains software to run over the Web as a [[Web application]].
*[[Mirror (computing)]] site: A complete reproduction of a website.
*[[News site]]: similar to an information site, but dedicated to dispensing news and commentary.
*[[Personal homepage]]: run by an individual or a small group (such as a [[family]]) that contains information or any content that the individual wishes to include.
*Phish site: a website created to fraudulently acquire sensitive information, such as passwords and credit card details, by masquerading as a trustworthy person or business (such as [[Social Security Administration]], [[PayPal]]) in an electronic communication. (see [[Phishing]]).
*[[Political site]]: A Web sites on which people may voice political views.
*[[Pornography]] (porn) site: a site that shows pornographic images and videos.
*[[Rating site]]: A site on which people can praise or disparage what is featured. Examples: ratemycar.com, ratemygun.com, ratemypet.com, hotornot.com.
*[[Review site]]: A site on which people can post reviews for products or services.
*[[Search engine]] site: a site that provides general information and is intended as a gateway or lookup for other sites. A pure example is [[Google]], and the most widely known extended type is [[Yahoo!]].
*[[Shock site]]: includes [[image]]s or other material that is intended to be offensive to most viewers. Examples: [[rotten.com]], ratemypoo.com.
*[[Gripe site]]: a Web site devoted to the critique of a person, place, corporation, government, or institution.
*[[Web portal]] site: a website that provides a starting point, a gateway, or portal, to other resources on the Internet or an intranet.
*Wedsite: a website that details a couple's wedding event, often sharing stories, photos, and event information.
*[[Wiki]] site: a site which users collaboratively edit (such as [[Wikipedia]]).
Some sites may be included in one or more of these categories. For example, a business website may promote the business's products, but may also host informative documents, such as [[white paper]]s. There are also numerous sub-categories to the ones listed above. For example, a [[porn]] site is a specific type of eCommerce site or business site (that is, it is trying to sell memberships for access to its site). A [[fan site]] may be a vanity site on which the [[System administrator|administrator]] is paying homage to a [[celebrity]].
Many business websites have the appearance of [[wiktionary:brochure|brochure]]s—that is, an [[advertisement]] that can be browsed around. Some websites act as vehicles for users to communicate with other people via [[Web chat]].
Websites are constrained by architectural limits (e.g. the computing power dedicated to the website). Very large websites, such as [[Yahoo!]], [[Microsoft]], and [[Google]], employ many servers and load balancing equipment, such as [[Cisco Systems|Cisco]] Content Services [[Network switch|Switch]]es.
In October of 2006, [[Netcraft]], an Internet monitoring company that has tracked Web growth since 1995, says a mammoth milestone was reached. Netcraft reported that there are currently 100 million Web sites with domain names and content on them, compared to just 18,000 Web sites in August 1995.
