Preface
If you don't have SharePoint Services, you need it. Even if you work alone from your home office as I do, SharePoint is too useful to pass up—and it's free (well, kind of). SharePoint Services is part of Windows 2003, so if you already have Windows Server 2003, you can download the installation from Microsoft and install it fairly easily.
If you don't have Windows Server 2003, you can sign up for a free 30-day trial through one of the SharePoint hosting providers, which operate much like other web-hosting services. With the free trial, you get an account and some server space. You can administer your site yourself through a web-based interface, and after the free trial period they'll bill you monthly.
Who Should Read This Book
SharePoint is a server product that is used by a wide range of people. This book was written to serve readers based on their varying roles in your company. The following table identifies these roles and recommends specific chapters that may be of interest.
|
Role |
Responsibilities |
Read these chapters |
|---|---|---|
|
Administrator |
Installs server software, configures web sites, manages security. |
1, 2, 3 |
|
Designer |
Designs pages on site, creates site templates. |
1, 3, 8 |
|
Contributor |
Adds documents, lists, tasks, announcements, and other content. |
1, 4, 5, 6 |
|
Contributor with data entry |
Completes InfoPath forms. |
1, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
|
Reader |
Views sites and documents but makes no changes. |
1, 4, 6 |
|
Programmer |
Creates custom web parts. |
1, 3, 8, 9, 10 |
Because I cover the ...