| So you're finally ready to publish your | | | | Both Linux/Unix and Windows can handle |
| finished website and you're searching | | | | high traffic websites and add-ons such |
| through the myriad of web hosting plans | | | | as chat rooms, email and website |
| and providers. You may have noticed that | | | | statistics with ease. The biggest |
| most hosting companies use Linux or Unix | | | | differences are price and software |
| operating systems on their web servers. | | | | compatibility. Because Windows must be |
| Microsoft Windows is less commonly | | | | purchased and licenses renewed |
| offered as a choice. So what's the | | | | continuously, Windows hosting plans are |
| difference? | | | | usually more expensive than Unix-based |
| Most people are familiar with Microsoft | | | | plans. Also Unix-based plans often come |
| Windows having used it at home, work, or | | | | with free email, databases (MySQL), |
| at school. It is very easy to use for | | | | statistic, and community programs. While |
| novices and it doesn't require | | | | Windows plans come with Microsoft |
| command-line knowledge. In Windows Home | | | | software (MS SQL, for example) that must |
| and advanced Server editions, you can | | | | be purchased by the hosting company. |
| simply point and click your way to a | | | | Both Linux and Windows platforms can run |
| different folder using your mouse. Unix | | | | popular programming languages such as |
| and Linux are open-source – | | | | php, perl, or java. If your website uses |
| meaning that the operating system is | | | | active server pages, then it will be |
| free and the source code is well | | | | less risky hosting it on a Windows |
| documented and easily distributed. There | | | | server. Well it still may function on a |
| are no major differences between Unix | | | | Unix server, there may be small glitches |
| and Linux. Unix is much older and cannot | | | | that are not immediately apparent. |
| run on x86-based personal computers | | | | Similarly, if you are using with |
| (like the one you're using now). In | | | | Microsoft SQL databases, these databases |
| contrast, Linux can run on both | | | | will be supported by most Windows plans. |
| high-powered servers and x86-based | | | | However, Linux or Unix plans often |
| computers. | | | | include MySQL which would require that |
| Linux is available in many flavors, | | | | your databases be converted to this |
| though most hosting companies use Red | | | | format in order to function properly. If |
| Hat Linux, or Mandrake Linux, which are | | | | you are currently using any Microsoft |
| proven workhorses able to handle | | | | programming (especially active server |
| hundreds of websites and millions of | | | | pages) or third-party applications (MS |
| hits per day. FreeBSD and OpenBSD are | | | | SQL 2000), you may want to play it safe |
| versions of Unix which are also | | | | and choose a Windows hosting plan. |
| available. While ease-of-use is very | | | | From the average web designer's |
| important for a home or work computer, | | | | standpoint, there isn't much difference |
| it is generally not a big issue when | | | | between hosting on Linux/Unix or Windows |
| working with a web server. After all, | | | | web servers. However, before signing up |
| you are doing most of your website | | | | for a hosting plan, ensure that all |
| design offline on your own computer. | | | | facets of your site's design, |
| Unless you have very advanced | | | | programming, databases and the like will |
| programming or operating system-specific | | | | work with that plan. If you are unsure, |
| modules, you will not notice the | | | | ask the company's sales or technical |
| difference between Windows and Unix | | | | staff before you commit. |
| servers. | | | | |