Choosing
the Hosting That's Right for You - Windows vs. Unix
Hosting
By Candice Pardue
Take the guesswork out
of choosing a web host
Windows vs Unix
I must admit, when I first started
learning web design and signed on for a hosting package, I
had no clue about the differences between Windows and Unix
hosting.
I was very confused, and assumed that
because I used a Windows computer system, I would need
"windows" hosting. This would make sense to any beginner on
the Web, right?
Oddly enough, my web
hosting company said a Unix
package would be sufficient for my site. Unix worked just
fine for my site, but I didn't know "why" at the time.
I designed my Web site using basic
HTML and a free program called Netscape Composer. I still
use these programs today to do my basic design work, and
they're great.
I published my Web pages using an FTP
program called WS_FTP Pro, which I still use today. Because
of the type of design I created and the way I transferred my
pages to the Internet, Unix (a.k.a. Linux) hosting worked
great.
Now that I'm a little more Internet
savvy, I understand why Unix was best for me. It's not
merely a matter of which platform is better.
Each platform has its advantages and
disadvantages. However, for most basic site designs, Unix
wins the comparison all around. Unix has been tested to
perform better under high volume traffic, be more compatible
with most design formats, and is normally more cost
efficient.
Unix servers have proven to be more
stable and seldom require reboots. All in all, Unix hosting
serves a majority of the Web sites online today.
Windows hosting, however, appears to
be on the incline as more complicated formats of design are
released. More people are venturing into "fancy" formats or
corporate-like site designs which may require a Windows
based server.
Only time will tell as to how many
designers will continue to use these formats.
Some of the most popular, money-making
sites use a simple HTML page and a couple of graphics to
make their presentation, and are finding that this works
best when marketing only one or a few products and services
online. Obviously a Unix hosting plan would be sufficient
for these types of sites. They're popping up
everywhere!
WHEN WINDOWS BASED HOSTING IS
NECESSARY...
There is an advanced programming
language from Microsoft called .NET, which pretty much
requires Windows based hosting.
Also, if you choose to design a
database using MS SQL Server or Microsoft Access, you will
use Windows hosting. There might be several other formats
which require Windows hosting, but most can be Unix
based.
Remember, the type of operating system
you use on your desktop (most use Windows), has nothing to
do with the hosting plan you'll need for your site.
This is strictly determined by which
Web design program and/or programming language you use to
design your site.
You can contact almost any host to
learn more about the requirements for your particular site
design. When emailing a host, include the following
information about your site to get the best
answer...
- The name of the design program you
are using.
- The file extension of your web
pages (.html, .php, .NET, .asp, etc.)
- The functionality of your site
such as database needs (if any), what you will need to
accomplish with your design, etc.
If you hire a Web designer to create
your site, you can also address these concerns with them.
Find out which design will be the most cost efficient for
your site's purpose BEFORE allowing anyone to design your
site.
Learn which design format he or she
will use BEFORE getting started. Agreeing on these things
ahead of time will save you many problems later on, and
possibly money too.
Tip!
Words
equal money - Always keep
good, fresh content on your website. This is what keeps
visitors coming back time after time.
For
affordable, dependable hosting go here
>>>
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Article written by Candice Pardue,
freelance
Internet page writer and
owner of Online Success for Internet Business. Go to
http://www.webmastercourse.com/learn/web/design/from/home/
to learn web design from start to finish. This one's for
beginners...
Learn
more about Internet Hosting Services
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Your Own Business Website Here
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Disclaimer: Even though
we have made every effort to provide solid and accurate
information with web design ideas on these pages, Online
Success for Internet Business accepts no responsibility or
does not insure or imply any degree of success in a web
based business or website design career by reading the
material listed on this website. Degrees of web or Internet
success varies greatly dependent upon the attitudes,
attributes and ambition of each individual designer. Please
thoroughly check out any information you find on this site
before indulging in a web design business or presenting
yourself as a webmaster. And now you know the differenc
between Windows hosting and Unix hosting and can make a
better choice when looking for a web hosting company.
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