| The fact that you are reading this article indicates | | | | code, and in doing so add functionality and |
| that you have been looking for a web host and | | | | updates without contravening any license, this |
| will therefore have noticed by now that most | | | | factor has lead to Unix based systems naturally |
| web hosting companies off you either Unix (or | | | | evolving over the years to become relatively |
| Linux) Hosting, Windows Hosting or both — | | | | bug-free. As a result Unix based operating |
| to some this is an unexpected decision to have to | | | | systems are renowned for their inherent stability |
| make, many unless they own a Mac will be largely | | | | and their ability to run for years before a reboot |
| unaware of the capabilities of any other platform | | | | is required, thus requiring less attention from |
| than Windows. So what are the differences | | | | technicians and reducing costs — an |
| between the two systems and what are the | | | | attractive feature for a server. |
| advantages of each? The first point to note is | | | | Windows Hosting as the name suggests uses MS |
| that you do not need Windows Hosting just | | | | Windows as an operating system and although |
| because you have a Windows based PC, nor do | | | | more expensive and slightly less stable does have |
| you need Unix if you own a Mac, the HTML code | | | | some benefits over it’s Unix based |
| or Java Script you upload onto the server is | | | | conterpart. Primarily this has to do with what you |
| universal as is the server’s output of that | | | | want to host; if you want to use an MS Access |
| code, so your website will look the same on | | | | database or upload MediaPlayer files such as music |
| either. The difference lies in the software which is | | | | or Videos you will require Windows Hosting, (N.B. |
| used to output that website. | | | | MP3, Quicktime, Shockwave, Flash and Real can |
| Unix Hosting uses a Unix based operating system | | | | be handled by either system). |
| which was developed primarily for use on severs, | | | | Making the decision as to which is best thus |
| Unix Hosting is generally cheaper than Windows | | | | comes down to what you want to do with your |
| because most web hosts use Linux - a Free | | | | web space. Both Systems can host Multimedia |
| Open Source version of Unix (which is used in | | | | both can host dynamic content and with PHP, |
| some supercomputers) and consequently do not | | | | MySQL and CGI, but the question becomes you |
| have to shell out thousands of pounds in licensing | | | | need to run Windows based applications on your |
| and support to Microsoft, a saving which is passed | | | | server? If so then you have no choice but to use |
| on to you the user. Another advantage of using | | | | a Windows Hosting solution, if the answer is no |
| free open source software is that anyone can | | | | then can make your decision based on other |
| make changes and improvements to the source | | | | factors such as choice of host, cost and reliability. |