Sorry for a newbie question.

I am considering getting a new sound card, the new creative X-Fi. Under the specification page, it states "Shared line-level analog Line/Microphone input via 6.35 mm (1/4-inch) stereo jack".

(http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=208&product=14064&nav=1)

What does "line-level" mean? When a microphone is connected to the sound card, will it be amped? Or a pre-amp is still neccssary?

A simple answer will suffice. Thanks.