Linux Website Hosting V Windows Website Hosting

By Derek Chambers, 1stChoiceWebHost

If you are wondering what the difference is between Linux Website Hosting and Windows Website Hosting then read on as this is one of the most commonly asked questions in the hosting world.

Just because you are using Microsoft Windows as an operating system on your computer - it does NOT mean that you have to select a 'Windows' hosting plan.

We realise that the above statement mind sound obvious, however, experience has taught us that this is one of the most common questions asked by potential new customers just starting out on the web with their first site.

This means that if you are running Windows98 or Windows XP on your computer, you can still choose Linux as a website hosting environment.

Windows Website Hosting

One of the first things that people noticed when trying to choose between Windows or Linux hosting environment is cost. Windows will always be a more expensive option than Linux due to the licensing fees that must be paid in recognition of the fact that you are dealing with a Microsoft application.

The biggest difference between Windows and Linux website Hosting is that Windows servers are configured specifically to be compatible with Microsoft Applications, such as Access (for database programming) and Frontpage (a website design tool) although Linux servers are quite happy to run Frontpage extensions as many of our clients can testify.

For the more experienced user/programmer, Windows offers the ability to utilise certain programming languages such as, ASP (Active Server Pages), ASP.net, Coldfusion and Visual Basic scripting. With ASP, users can develop a database-driven website using MS Access and SQL as the database.

As a very basic guideline, we usually ask potential customers to look at the facilities a Windows server offers and if they are 'not sure' or 'don't know' whether they need to use the applications listed above, it usually means that they do not need them and therefore, a Linux hosting plan would be adequate for their needs.

Finally on the Windows side, just because you have created your website using Microsoft Frontpage, does NOT mean that you have to have a Windows hosting account with MS Frontpage Extensions activated. Your website can be uploaded equally well via a Linux account which also has its own version of Frontpage Extensions.

Linux Website Hosting

Linux is known as 'open source' operating system. This means there are no licensing fees to pay and consequently, it is much cheaper. Linux has also been around a lot longer than Windows servers

Linux has a strong reputation for stability, strength and reliability. This means that the Linux servers are much less likely to crash than their Windows counterparts. This in turn, will generally mean a greater degree of 'uptime' for your website.

A wide range of programming languages are supported, such as; html, php, cgi, perl to name just a few.

If there is a disadvantage to Linux for the user, it would be that it is not fully compatible with some Microsoft technologies so, if you are using ASP, ASP.net or, Visual Basic tools then a Windows platform would probably suit you better.

Finally, if you have created your website in MS Frontpage, you can still upload it to your webspace via a Linux account, using the Frontpage Extensions that come free of charge, on all Linux accounts

Linux
Hosting

Windows 2003 Hosting

Ease of use

Reliability

Speed

Functionality

Price

Free / Open Source Software

Supported Features

Microsoft Frontpage

Flash

Shockwave

Real/Audio

CGI Bin/Script

Pearl

PHP

MYSQL

Asp

Asp.Net

MS Access

1stChoice Specific Features

Control Panel

cPanel 10

Plesk

Fantastico Pre Installed Scripts

Mailing List

Web Stats

Web Based Email

Shared SSL

Backups

Personal Backup Facility

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