What is a server?

[Steveo989]

Not to sound stupid but what makes a server a server? Is it a computer that hosts files for other computers. I really don't get it, I am looking at dell and it's like for server use only and I was like wtf is a server from a desktop.

[9mmCensor]

A server is defined by its application.

Some computers are built for a specific application.

But there is no reason you couldn't take a Dell server and use it to browse the web.

[Steveo989]

Oh, ok thanks for clearing that up. Fold on!

[UnseenMenace]

The following URL's provide some basic server information

http://www.webopedia.com/quick_ref/servers.asp
http://www.faqs.org/faqs/client-server-faq/preamble.html

[MadSkillzMan]

Yea, and when u get into linux, parts of software and parts of your computer become servers for other parts of it. Like the video server.

my computer is *considared* a server because of its beastly size and nature. But day to day, when im NOT rendering some sepcial fx, its just a desktop pc.