Windows Or Linux Hosting?

The Great Debate
Linux or Windows is a hotly debated topic that this article will steer well clear of. There are always valid arguments for both side of the debate and while many point to the open source attributes of Linux, others point to the worldwide coverage of Windows. Security, cost, restrictive licenses, and many other areas of the argument invariably ensue and this is also the case when we look at hosting. However, unlike desktop operating systems, Linux hosting takes the accolade of being the more popular of the two for hosting software.

Differences Between Windows And Linux Hosting
The decision of whether to opt for a Windows server or Linux hosting is redundant to an extent if you only have a small, static website. From a functionality point of view there is very little difference. However, you will notice that Windows hosting is not as readily available as Linux and it generally appears more expensive for a plan that offers less. So while you will receive similar features from either hosting package you will generally receive less disk space and lower bandwidth for your buck if you consider a Windows hosting plan. For the majority of websites the only real reason to opt for a Windows Server is if you are planning to program the site using ASP.

Considering Reliability
Reliability is an important part of choosing a hosting plan, or at least it should be on of the most important. It is inevitable that your site will face some downtime at some point. By choosing the right host you can ensure that this will be later sooner than rather and it will happen much less frequently. You can also ensure that the response you get to any downtime is better. Linux has long held the upper hand in terms of reliability and while the introduction of Microsoft Server 2003 has all but eliminated the gap in reliability, Linux is still considered a slightly more robust hosting platform.

Browsers Notice No Difference
Regardless of whether you opt for Windows hosting or Linux hosting your end users will never be able to tell which you use. From a browsing point of view they are unidentifiable. From a financial point of view, though, this could turn out to be far from the truth.

The Advantage Of Open Source Linux
Linux is perhaps best known for being open source software. The source code is open to the general public and can be altered, or added to without recrimination. These alterations can then be placed in the public domain for anyone to use, therefore adding increased functionality and usability to their website without having to partake in any awkward coding or programming. The Linux libraries available on the Internet are staggering in their number and their individual depth.

Availability
Virtually all hosting companies offer Linux hosting. Hosting plans can range from just a few dollars a month for a basic service to tens of dollars for more business orientated, feature packed shared hosting plans. Alternatively you could look into using virtual private server hosting or dedicated server hosting. These cost more but because you can generally configure them to your own requirements they provide almost exactly what you are looking for.

Linux Hosting Conclusions
Linux hosting is the most popular form of hosting there is. Using a Linux operating system as a server platform gives all of the benefits that are usually associated with Linux applications. The most notable is undoubtedly the total price of setting your site up and hosting it but there are other advantages too. Linux is an open source software package and this means that there is a vast library of code that can be borrowed, butchered, and amended to meet your exact requirements. Even if you currently only have a small static website, you should consider Linux hosting because it offers a more future proof method of adding dynamic content on the fly and for free.