How do you choose between Linux and Windows hosting.

You don't have to run Linux on your local computer in order for you to host your website on a Linux platform. Which operating system you run on your computer is irrelevant. Linux, Windows or Mac, you can still choose Linux or Windows as your hosting platform.

It is arguable that Linux servers have less vulnerabilities than Windows servers, but out of the box, neither Linux or Windows is very secure for Internet use. We make numerous modifications, remove unnecessary systems and update software to ensure that both platforms are secure. We also continue to maintain our servers with the latest security and performance patches.

The general consensus is that Linux is more reliable, our experience is that it depends on what is hosted, a badly written site can cause problems with any server OS. What ever anyone tells you, shared servers have more issues than dedicated, and there are still cases where a server will require a reboot to resolve an issue. If reliability is the most important aspect of your hosting, you should choose a dedicated host or request a load balanced service.

One main difference is the way you can access the server, both Windows and Linux server have FTP, but only Linux offers ssh access. SSH is a way to open a window directly on the web server and directly manage files using Unix commands. FTP is a way of transferring your files from your hard drive to your Web server, both Windows and Linux plans offer FrontPage extensions to manage you website with Microsoft FrontPage.

Another major difference is the underlying technologies used for Database Storage. You can choose either PHP/MySQL combination under Linux hosting plans or ASP/Microsoft SQL combination under Windows hosting plans. MySQL can be arranged for Windows hosting by special request.

Linux

• Lots of free programs and scripts available
• Greater access and control of files and permissions
• Control panel
• General features of FrontPage can be used (except ASP and database generated pages) 

Windows

• Easier to get web site started
• Well supported
• Intergrates better with other Microsoft applications
• All features of FrontPage can be used (including ASP and database generated pages) 

The differences between operating systems is much less than you might think. Try choosing the plan that has the options you want, rather than worrying about what operating system they are running on.