What should I choose - LINUX or Windows ?

[eUKShane]

Shared or virtual hosting is usually available in two varieties: LINUX and Windows. What is the difference between hosting on these operating systems?

Windows servers are designed to accommodate advanced Microsoft applications. Windows servers therefore integrate back office offerings such as FrontPage, Access and MS SQL Server with basic Web services. Windows servers also offer specific programming environments such as Active Server Pages (ASP), Visual Basic Scripts, MS Index Server and Cold Fusion, which mainly link database applications to the Web.

Windows servers do not provide an interactive shell, but are accessible through GUI-based remote administration packages such as PCAnywhere. Such packages allow you to log into the server's desktop as chief administrator as long as you have full control over your server.

We only recommend Windows hosting if you intend to run your own dedicated server. The quality of hosting degrades rapidly if the Web host attempts to run an Windows server as a shared hosting system.

Since Windows servers provide unparalleled levels of support, security and integration for the Microsoft family of products, we recommend that you only select Windows if you need to link a Microsoft-based service to your Internet hosting requirements.

Windows is rather complex and labor-intensive and should only be selected if the webmaster has extensive experience in maintaining Windows systems remotely and requires product/Web integration.

A lot of hosting solutions are also provided on the LINUX platform. This is because the LINUX platform is specifically designed to accommodate heavy Web traffic and server load. LINUX servers are robust and are recognized for their ability to host multiple website hostings and serve out gigabytes of traffic.

This platform is also preferred by most webmasters due to their technical requirements. Most webmasters outsource their e-commerce solutions, and therefore don't need to configure complex database systems on their pay Web website hostings. LINUX servers also provide a wider degree of flexibility due to their shell environment. Shell environments are interactive, text-based systems that allow webmasters to interact and customize their services in real-time from any computer system worldwide. Unlike Windows systems, LINUX is not limited to special remote administration programs. A typical LINUX system can be accessed from any computer connected to the Internet without special or expensive software.

But the most favored reason that most webmasters choose the LINUX platform is because of its uptime. Most LINUX systems with heavy traffic can provide 99 per cent uptime. Windows servers with heavy traffic usually cannot make this same claim, unless specially configured. For this reason, average webmasters should select LINUX as their OS.

If you don't know which platform you need, then most likely you do not require Windows hosting and you should select one of our LINUX hosting plans. The only time you would need to use NT hosting is when you are using the specific NT applications noted above. Microsoft FrontPage may be used on both the LINUX and Windows platforms as since most hosting firms support the Microsoft FrontPage server extensions on both.

We are offering both LINUX and Windows for you. As we would like to solve all your problems and fulfill your requirements.

Best Regards,
Shane
System Administrator
http://eukhost.com

[fgames1]

linux server is most stable and hackers will not wear you down with trojan, and virus so i say linux

[DPS Computing]

Cheers for that overview Shane. It is really helpful to me! (and to many others I am sure!). I like Linux, it has never given me any problems with my hosting here but people always seem to be having problems with Windows!!

[CftxP]

Yeah, I agree. You should choose Linux. Although Windows may cost less, in other hosting website hostings, Linux is better! What would you expect with your money? I'd expect that if you pay for it, it's worth the price!

[DPS Computing]

Originally Posted by CftxP

Yeah, I agree. You should choose Linux. Although Windows may cost less, in other hosting website hostings, Linux is better! What would you expect with your money? I'd expect that if you pay for it, it's worth the price!

I am surprised. I would have imagined that Windows based servers cost more than the Linux?

When is anything Microsoft related ever cheap?

[eUKhost.com]

Originally Posted by CftxP

Yeah, I agree. You should choose Linux. Although Windows may cost less, in other hosting website hostings, Linux is better! What would you expect with your money? I'd expect that if you pay for it, it's worth the price!

Linux is free so no question of cost with Linux.

Windows is paid and you need to pay world's richest Man to have Windows on your Computer. You should ask your parents how much they paid for the windows XP OS on your computer.

[fgames1]

llnux is better less threat level more powerful security when hosting a website hosting

[DPS Computing]

Originally Posted by eukhost.com

Linux is free so no question of cost with Linux.

Windows is paid and you need to pay world's richest Man to have Windows on your Computer. You should ask your parents how much they paid for the windows XP OS on your computer.

Thats a good point. So there really is no contest. Linux wins on price and stability. I'm glad I'm on Linux. I have never been on a Windows based server but I have no complaints with the Linux based server so if it isn't broke don't fix it in my opinion!