Web Host: Unix or windows

[xaqintosh]

I am looking into getting a website for my dad's business, and I was wondering whether I should get it on a Unix Server or a Windows Server (please, no "go with Unix because it isn't windows"). What are the advantages and disadvantages of the two? for example, one advantage I know of for windows is that you get free webmail.

Thanks.

[Gwailo]

I'd go with Linux because I find it more stable and eaiser to remote-manage.

As a contrast, I administered an OS 9.1 machine running WebSTAR on a G4 (forget the processor speed) with tonnes of RAM and OMG that was not pretty... crashed twice a day, reinstallations, deactivation almost all extensions besides the ones which were absolutely necessary, tothing worked. And to boot, it was the student services site for my old college, so you can image the amount of technical email I got...

But not to host on Classic, I think, goes without saying, especially in a place like this. I unfortunately had no choice (not in a position to buy new system, though I tried to get them to move to X).

[xaqintosh]

I was talking more about dedicated hosting (is that what its called? where you just pay and upload the site onto their servers) such as www.hostonce.com
thanks anyways

[Gwailo]

Dedicated is a computer dedicated to you alone, shared is well, a shared computer.

With Windows you get stuff like Microsoft IIS to access ODBC/Access databases, that I don't think you can get with Linux.

Linux I find to be a bit more stable, a bit faster, and eaiser to use. I suppose it's more of a personal preference from that perspective. Not sure: whenever I think web server I think in forward slashes, not back slashes hehe.

[phatsharpie]

In terms of security, go with Apache. Microsoft just released ANOTHER security bulletin regarding its IIS (Internet Information Server). Go with MS if you wish to use FrontPage extensions.

Apache is more stable and secure, it is also much more popular MS solutions. Apache has more than 54% of the server market while IIS has about 34%. If you don't plan to use SQL Server, and instead plan to opt for MySQL using PHP or JSP - Apache is definitely the way to go. It simply works more efficiently with PHP and JSP.

[xaqintosh]

With Windows you get stuff like Microsoft IIS to access ODBC/Access databases, that I don't think you can get with Linux.

what is this stuff? and what is it useful for?
thanks again.
btw, My dad's business is called Liquid Disguise, he does Custom Decorative painting and special effects type work. He wants the website to be liquidisguise.com, with only 1 D, while I think it is much better with 2 Ds, what do you think?

[xaqintosh]

is apache for Unix? the options are Windows 2000 or Unix, and I don't need frontpage extensions. It will be a fairly simple website...

thanks

[phatsharpie]

Originally posted by xaqintosh
is apache for Unix? the options are Windows 2000 or Unix, and I don't need frontpage extensions. It will be a fairly simple website...

thanks

For simple sites, either options would be fine. So it really comes down to personal preferences, especially considering you don't plan to use Frontpage extensions.

Apache is the most popular webserver for the Unix platform - it is the webserver bundled with Mac OS X and most Linux distributions.

I personally would go with Unix, simply because I know it's a more secure server, but for simple sites, it makes little difference.

P.S. Definitely with 2 D's... It is MUCH easier to remember... You don't want to explain, "that's with one d" all the time.