The Apache Web Server is a public-domain web server developed by a group of programmers and is released under an "open-source" license. It was first developed using existing NCSA web server code. Thus it was known as "a patchy" server, which later became "Apache." Apache runs on most UNIX-based operating systems, other UNIX/POSIX-based systems, AmigaOS, and on Windows 9x/NT. According to one study by Netcraft in September of 1998, it is used on more than 50% of the world's web servers.

Apache has proved itself with excellent performance, sophisticated features, and of course it's low price of nothing. It complies with the latest level of the HyperText Transfer Protocol. Apache does have support via newsgroups and other users of the server. Some companies charge for support.

Today, core development of apache is done by a group of about 20 volunteer programmers who call themselves the Apache Group. Since Apache is under a "open-source" license, anyone can download and adapt the code to their own needs / preferences.

For more information on Apache:

• The Apache Software Foundation
• Apache section of WWW HowTo