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