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