The big guns are out. So, you've decided that you want to host some websites, but you're not sure which of these two heavy weights to choose from. When it comes to website hosting, there are really only two contenders. Windows and Linux are often positioned in the boxing ring together, but one has yet to win outright. These two hosting platforms of course have many advantages and disadvantages and are well pitched against each other. Once you've made up your mind, web hosting through companies such as Namesco who offer both platforms will become a lot easier. So, like the ancient gods in the Roman underworld did, let's place Window and Linux on the earth's scales and weigh them up.
Web hosting through Windows
Often the most popular web hosting choice through its household name status, Windows offers a great hosting package, especially for beginners. Microsoft offers a special server operating system which allows websites to run Active Server Pages. This means your website's pages can be a lot more interactive and vibrant. However, if you wish to add extras like a firewall or ASPMail, this will cost you. Windows does however grant access to the SQL (Structured Query Language) database which is extremely powerful. It allows users to import and store data. From here, you can store all your data, manipulate it, update it and create your own data folders which makes it easier to manage. Windows is certainly more technical than Linux and does allow its users access to familiar Microsoft tools such as Access and Visual Interdev.
Web hosting through Linux
Linux is so popular because it's really cheap and useable. It's easy to install and you don't have to have a PHD in computing to get it up and running. Whereas both Windows and Linux use HTML and Javascript, Linux files are .html. To be honest, there's no real different between .htm (windows) or .html, it's a matter of preference but .html is sometimes easier to manage. Linux is definitely more cost effective than windows but again you will have to pay for extra sometimes, depending on what you want. Linux supports a wide range of software, applications and has its own database support for PHP, MySQL and many others. The one major thing you have to consider with Linux is the fact that it's not fully compatible with all Microsoft technologies so if you do favour Microsoft as a working platform, for sheer easiness, choose Windows over Linux. However, if you don't use Microsoft, Linux could be for you.
Your main choice as a business is between which package to select. Web hosts usually offer their packages in two formats: Windows or Linux hosting. Whilst those running smaller-scale blogs and personal websites, or small e-Commerce-type businesses will benefit from the familiarity of Windows, the industry experts would argue that for high-traffic professional sites, it is worth buying linux hosting with domain name providers such as Names.co.uk.
