What is the relationship between Windows SharePoint Services, Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007, and Microsoft Office SharePoint Designer?

I have received this question and I make sure that I make the clarification at every event that includes a SharePoint discussion. Here is your short, and to the sweet, answer:

Windows SharePoint Services is a key component of Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies, which include:

Windows SharePoint Services, formerly named SharePoint Team Services, a versatile technology in Windows Server 2003. In addition to its collaborative features, Windows SharePoint Services also exposes platform services and a common framework for document storage and management, as well as search, workflow, rights management, administration, and deployment features. These services provide the foundation for building scalable business applications.

Office SharePoint Server 2007 (MOSS) is an integrated suite of easy-to-use server applications that help people and teams improve their efficiency and effectiveness. Office SharePoint Server 2007 connects sites, people, and business processes—facilitating knowledge sharing by offering ready-to-go, enterprise-wide functionality for records management, search, workflows, portals, personalized sites, and more. Office SharePoint Server 2007 extends the capabilities of Windows SharePoint Services by providing highly flexible organization and management tools for SharePoint sites, and by making it possible for teams to publish information to the entire organization.

Office SharePoint Designer 2007 provides tools for customizing Windows SharePoint Services and Office SharePoint Server 2007 sites, and for creating reporting tools and application templates without writing new code or deploying new code on your servers.

Now you know.