compressors ??

[tj jr.]

I do some home recording with my pc and md8. I got a few effects processors and other fun shtuff. I know this is a really lame question but,,,,,,,,,
what does a compressor do???
I read about everyone using a compressor for everything and how great it is. I feel like im missing something. Like for vocals... what does it do?
thanks in advance

[Creepy]

Had to look through a bunch of bookmarks to find this one, but what a gem it is!

http://www.geocities.com/shailat2000

I am a Creep!

[Creepy]

Crap, I should have checked that out first! The link doesn't seem to work at all. Sorry. It really was a very good article about compression.

I am a Creep!