Windows VS Linux Web Hosting Poll

[Sharron]

I was wondering what are the pros and cons of a Windows Server VS Linux Server?

Igmo's such as my self have no idea, and when offered the choice I would probably just by association with the name, choose a windows server. Although I have a feeling it would not be a good decision, as I don't think my windows OS has anything to do with a Windows Server for hosting purposes, does it.

So again I ask What are the pro's and con's

I did google the question, and got some results, but folks kept confusing Windows os with Windows servers, or am I wrong to think they are different?

At this point I would just about choose Linux, not from an informed positions, but just out of spite or frustration with a certain windows host server. lol

[webado]

Windows hosting is on servers that use a Windows server OS. Linux hsoting is on server that use a Linux OS.

Windows servers support some other progamming languages not readily available on Linux servees, like ASP (Active Server Pages), ColdFusion, etc.

Linux hosting is usually cheaper than Windows hosting.

More websiets are hosted on Linux servers than WIndows servers. Cost may be a factor.

Possibly Linux hosting is mroe secure.

A good Windows server environment ought to be rather transparent. Once it supports PHP and MYsql it shoudl be pretty much the ame way as on a LInux server.

Your client's hosting doesn't follow this.

I doubt many people use Godaddy WIndwos hosting to actually have elaborate web sites. They are all ok for regular html pages. The trouble comes when you need to use advanced programming languages. The you realize php support there is very limited. It shoudln't be if properly set up, but obviously they don't much clientele that needs it.


Not familiar with them beyond that.

[jonra01]

It really depends on whether you need .net or plan on using a lot of asp. If that's the case, then you probably want to use a windows server. There's no difference between saying a windows server and a server running the windows os. The server's os is windows, while the web server is IIS.

The main advantage with linux is that you have access to a huge open source community. This makes it easier to find scripts and support.

[Arne]

You forget on option in the survey, the Apache server. Apache can run on several OS's, where Unix and Linux is the most common. And, as Jonra says, the main advantage with linux (and Apache) is that you have access to a huge open source community. This makes it easier to find scripts and support. I'll take Linux or Apache before Windows (ISS) any time!

[jonra01]

Arne made a good point. There is some confusion about what is a server. On one hand, you have the computer that is called a server. This computer has an OS (operating system). That can be Windows, Unix, Linux, OSX, or some really oddball OS.

Then there are a whole bunch of software programs that are called 'servers'. On a linux machine this is usually Apace. There are others, but apache is the most common. On a windows server, the web 'server' is IIS (internet information server). Then you have an ftp 'server', a mail 'server', etc... These are specific applications that serve specific functions.

So, when you talk about a server it helps to be specific. It is best to refer to them as Linux/Apache, Windows/IIS, etc...

Have I confused you enough?

[webado]

LOL! Sure enough I'm confused. The only time I worked on a site hosted on Windows hosting of any kind I had no need to know what else was there, as I was only using vanilla flavored html. In fact I only ralised it was WIndows hosting afetr I left it to go to LInux hsoting - as the control panel wasn't the same. On closer inspection that provided part of the answer. The rest I wasn't curious enough to care about. Wish I had been

Similary the only expericne I have with Linux hosting is what I have right now, which uses Apache. Any other flavors I've not tasted.

Like in everything, the best and usually only way to learn about different things is to have problems and wade your way through them. No problems, no learning experience either.

[Sharron]

lol I am sorry for leaving out Apache servers. I had heard of them, but like all of them I have no understanding of them, pro or cons, concepts or facts.

It is something most of us take for granted I think and do or don't know any better. This is in fact helping me to understand a wee bit more. Enough to know that when I do register a domain name, I will not know what type of server host to choose.

No wonder we have the term webmasters; just another good example of knowing your business and folks like me who just jump on the train without a rightfully earned ticket. Guess it is pennance having to learn the hardway, as it is true in all things, there is no free ride.

Darn my brain is mush, and I am sick at my stomach, think I had better go lay down. Wish I could turn test pattern in me head off. lol

[jonra01]

No wonder we have the term webmasters; just another good example of knowing your business and folks like me who just jump on the train without a rightfully earned ticket. Guess it is pennance having to learn the hardway, as it is true in all things, there is no free ride.

You have taken a really big step in your development as a web site designer/builder. You realize that there is a lot more to it than you first thought. That means you won't just throw something up and think you've done good. You will think it through and look for answers before creating something.

You already build better sites than many self-proclaimed 'web developers', many of whom claim that name after making one site. The more sites you build the better you will get and the faster it will go.

[PhillipH]

1. windows does support php as well as asp.

2. will be interesting to see what longhorn has to offer when its finally released (next year hopefully) - it appears it will be high on security although will it include a server?

3. personally i always use windows servers if my sites require components, a straight site i usually host on linux

4. linux is cheaper, but only just atm

5. personal preference in my opinion, but for new internet webmasters they tend to go for linux as they normally learn php, although php is on windows its historically a linux component.

6. i also prefer using windows as i can integrate web sites with windows components and applications

[jamesicus]

I don't always put a great deal of stock in Wikipedia, but I think this is pretty good:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_server

James