Web Hosting
Here on this page, we’ll explore the most common types of web hosting solutions: Windows, Unix and Linux.
Windows Web Hosting
Windows hosting means the hosting of web services that run on the Windows operating system.
When should you opt for Windows hosting? If you plan on using ASP (Active Server Pages) as server scripting, or if you’re going to use a database such as Microsoft Access or Microsoft SQL Server.
As well, if you plan on developing your website using Microsoft Front Page, Windows hosting is the best choice to use.
Unix Hosting
Unix hosting means the hosting of web services that run on the Unix operating system.
Unix has the distinction of the being first, original web server operating system, and it is – as it was back then – known its excellent reliability and stability. Another clear plus is that it’s usually cheaper (considerably) than Windows.
Linux Hosting
Linux hosting means the hosting of web services that run on the Linux operating system. Based on the Linux kernel, Linux is a Unix-like operating systems. Their distinction? It’s a prominent example of an open souce, free software collaboration – meaning in most cases, all of its underlying source code can be used, modified freely, and redistributed commercially and non-commercially by anyone under licenses such as the GNU GPL.
Linus can be installed on a wide variety of hardware, from embedded devices, mobile phones, watches(!) all the way up to supercomputers. Gaining in popularity over recent years – largely due to the very popular Ubuntu distribution and the first incarnation of the new netbooks that hit the scene.
Examples of commonly-used Linux applications include the Mozilla Firefox web-browser and the office application suite, OpenOffice.org.