Windows Versus Linux Hosting
Author: Mitch Keeler
As you may know (or possibly you do not) Lunarpages offers both Windows and Linux hosting. Now where some people often get confused is why do I need one or the other? Which is best and why should I use it. Hopefully I can help set some of the misconceptions straight.
Where do the Differences End?
With Windows hosting, the server’s operating system is one of the flavors of Windows. Yes, the same people who make Windows XP, Windows Vista and so on. Now with Linux hosting accounts (at Lunarpages, that would be your Basic and Business hosting plans) they use a Linux-based operating system.
One question I hear often is, “Since my computer runs Windows, do I have to have a Windows hosting plan?”. The answer is, “No”. What the server uses as its operating system and what you use on your own computer are two totally different things and do not have to be the same.
The big difference between the two is that they just have different ways of doing things. They also support different scripts, server technologies and so on. It is always good to have competition, so with both of these different flavors of hosting around they both are fighting with each other trying to top the other. As they offer new and more exciting features the users are the big winners.
What is Right for my Web Site?
As you can see, one is not really better than the other. They just provide two different ways of doing things. Think of it as making your sandwich with toast or with regular ol’ white bread. They may taste a little different, but when you get down to it they both get the job done.
February 26th, 2008 at 9:19 am
Wow, this actually tells me something important. Lunarpages hosts both Linux and Windows operating systems and they compete with each other by using different scripting methods.
WHERE’s THE BEEF!!! Oh, sorry. This ad was probably run before your time. In other words, what are the differences in scripting. PHP, MySQL, ASP, Pearl, etc. Which ones use what? How do I make an informed decision on which one to use? Are there any “gotchas” with either one (or both)? Etc.
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being great. This article is a -1.
February 26th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
This is a fine article as far as it goes. For many users a general overview is fine. I believe Linux hosting is proving more popular and it’s fair to point that out, if true. It would be good to provide a link for those interested in a more detailed comparison.
February 26th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Well if you need to ask which is better between ASP or PHP then you probably weren’t going to use either, so you might as well get the cheapest package, or decide based on other factors.
But it’s true that this article doesn’t really have a lot of beef. I’d venture a simple rule of thumb: if you need ASP or MS-SQL server or something else that is only offered with Windows hosting, go with that. Otherwise, go with Linux hosting.
February 26th, 2008 at 11:07 pm
It’s a very simple article… Nor mentionated tha users than have Linux installes as a main Operating System.
Minimum comparison must include for both platforms:
Server techonologies
Security (that’s is a VERY IMPORTANT item) was fully ignored,
Performance
RAM Requirements
Licensing
I agree, this article is a -1 or 0..
February 27th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Linux can run ASP, just not ASP.net
February 27th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Leave it alone. Not everybody receiving the newsletter is a programmer, you just gotta start somewhere and this is not a debate, just a first crack at clearing up the matter for newbies.
I didn’t need to be explained the difference either, I can code in both worlds, I prefer one, all programmers do. It just means I was not the target audience. But if I needed to write a quick one-pager to break the ice, it would look something like what we got here.
February 28th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
I think this article was meant to be a basic overview. Maybe we can persuade Mitch to go a bit more in-depth for a followup article so everyone can understand deeper differences between the technologies.
February 29th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
The article is a 11 out of 10. It tells most web users (read “90% those with limited IT background”) that both O/S does not matter and not to worry about it. Thank you Lunarpages.
March 3rd, 2008 at 8:08 am
Yep, as mentioned before – this article was much more to help those just wanting the basics was was not meant to put one over the other (or visa-versa). As for a follow up article, sure I could see that happen.
April 1st, 2008 at 6:58 pm
I’ve just read 5 to 7 other articles on this subject and while this article is informative, it could use additional information (possible website examples with an explanation “why someone used windows to achieve certain results”). All in all good start.