Choosing the Right Web Hosting Server
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 might 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.
Hopefully now you have a fair understanding of the
two most popular web servers that are available.
If you are ready to order and set up your web hosting
account, click here to view our very affordable web
hosting packages.
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