Linux Web Hosting

Just as many of us were ready to give up on Windows and migrate over to Mac OS, we become aware that some notebooks are being sold with Linux already installed and we can't help wonder what the benefits would be if we actually learned about and / or tried Linux.

Linux has been in use since its inception in the 60s, but many advances needed to be made before it became what would be considered serious competition for Windows or other hosting servers.

It seems, however, that Linux is indeed offering this competition and offsite Linux web hosting is much more readily available than even a few years ago.

The beauty with Linux is in its flexibility and its ability to work across all platforms. In a way, Linux is to operating systems what .pdf formatting is to document control. Even though Linux for desktop computers and notebooks (or netbooks) is still fairly rare, there are some real tech savvy users out there who learned long ago that Linux eliminates many of the problems that Windows users have complained about for years, and users such as these are promulgating the expansion of Linux across the personal computing front.

However, Linux has become one of the top business standards over the past decades and many businesses have integrated Linux OS into their systems and use Linux servers almost exclusively.

Linux's major attribute is its inherent ability to work across all platforms. When it comes to Linux hosting, a company that offers Linux compatibility has probably at some point migrated from Unix or still incorporates Unix in its offerings. Linux is actually an offshoot of the high performance OS standard that found its footing starting in the 80s.

As with any type of compatibility issue, any organization using Linux will need to source out and reference check a hosting company that is able to provide not only Linux servers, but can provide the necessary Linux technical support and backup that is mandatory in order to fulfill its mission which is true server hosting.

Linux itself may be a more applicable operating system for the masses, but its inherent necessity for a support organization to learn yet one more operating system literally inside and out is a bit precarious at best.

In order to trust your Linux files to an offsite Linux web hosting company make certain their technical support group has been duly certified in the intricacies of Linux's use.

Free Web Hosting

Free Hosting is sometimes a great way to go when you want to put up a website. Its great when you don't have a credit card to arrange the hosting and domain name. Also if it's your first website, a personal page or many other factors you may choose to go the free hosting route. In order to have a good website though, there are some things you need to be aware of and look for in a free host provider. They are:

1. Trustability

For the first reason, I'm inventing my own word! Trust in the provider is very important though because your privacy is of importance to you. The last thing you want is to have all your information sold to mortgage companies or something. What happens if you spend a lot of time on your website and then the free host company has a server crash or just vanish?

2. Storage, The importance of space

This one is important. Storage is important, especially if you want images on your free website. Many free hosting services are free for the first 10mb and then start billing you in order to get more storage. Find a host that has at least 50mb of storage so that you don't risk running out. My choice of free host offers a very generous 700mb!

3. Bandwidth, Required for your site to stay 'online'

This is where lots of free hosts fall down. They only offer small amounts of bandwidth, and then once you reach it, they suspend your account. If this happens, often you need to pay for more bandwidth, or wait until the month is out in order to get your account functioning again. If this happens in some cases you can email them and ask for more and they might grant you some more, but is it worth the risk of website downtime?

4. Ads

It's a free service and the provider needs to make the income to pay the servers and maintenance somehow, so ads are expected. Lots of free hosts though go overboard with Popups and float-ins, as well as banner ads and plenty more. Try and find a free hosting provider that has non obtrusive advertising (NO Popups, visitors hate that!)

5. Functionality and Uptime

Without user-friendly functionality, you could struggle to get your pages looking the way you want them to look. Try and find a service provider that offers easy editing and also has safe, reliable servers and maintenance, otherwise you may risk your website being up and down throughout the day!

Windows Web Hosting

Windows is probably the most popular operating system there is today. It a product of Microsoft that has become the standard of operating systems of the personal computers in most homes and major business establishments.

In the advent of the websites and web hosting, Windows is a popular choice among web developers as the main platform for their web hosting services. As there is continued development in the tools for Windows web application, more and more people are creating websites in the Windows platform.

There are several scripting languages that are available for Windows web hosting. These scripting languages include ASP, ASP.NET and PHP. If you have qualms with these scripts, then you should not worry as there are many resources, such as introductions and tutorials, in the internet for these scripts.

Choosing Windows for web hosting is advisable when Microsoft technologies are to be used. Its Internet Information Server (IIS) is the regular when using ASP and is needed if you want to use Microsoft Access and SQL server. Windows web hosting is also highly encouraged when you are going to use components that were developed using a Windows-based programming, such as CGI. Windows web hosting also has a lot of pre-made programs designed for use with Windows web servers.

As there are many companies that offer Windows web hosting services, you have to take note of certain things before taking your business to one. First thing to consider is that you have to make sure that the company is legitimate and has been in the business for a couple of years as foundation background.

There are a lot of fly-by-night companies that takes your money away with them too so you have to be very critical in choosing the right company that will provide your web hosting service. Another thing to consider is their technical expertise and the services that the company is offering. You want to make sure that the company you are working with is very reliable in terms of the technical aspect. You have to know their guarantees and services as to uptime and customer support as you want your website to be readily accessible for viewing at any time.

You must also consider the people working for the company if they are adeptly trained for the Windows environment. Check if they are certified as MCSE and MCSA so you may free yourself from worrying if the people you trusted with your website know what they are doing.

An imperative thing to remember about Window web hosting service is that it will cost more as compared to Linux web hosting service since it needs a license for you to be able to use it. If you are willing to shell out extra money for the benefit of your website, in order for you to be able to embed special features in it, then Windows web hosting service is best for you. With the stability and reputation of Windows, you know it is worth the investment you make.