what is a "proxy server"?

[techs]

also, when and where would they be used?

[drizzle]

Here ya go techs, from whatis.com. This is probably everything you're asking about...

http://whatis.techtarget.com/WhatIs_Definition_Page/0,4152,212840,00.html

[qball]

Great link Drizzle, takes all the fun out of answering. It actually made it into my Favorites.

[techs]

way cool! thanks