How to Operate Ц Windows, UNIX or Linux Web Hosting Explained

Articles on Hosting | Topics: hosting, web, host

by Jeffrey Travis

Everyone has their favorite operating system (OS), whether it's Windows, UNIX or Linux. If you want to put an Internet website up, then you'll need to take this into account when you're searching for a web hosting company for your site. For the purposes of this article we'll look at two of the most widely used OS purchased by users in the United States, which are the Windows and Linux OS. Take a gander at the different benefits that each one of these OS offers, and what kind of experience that you'll need to build your own website. There is no time like the present to begin learning, so start now and get your website out there on the world wide net for all to see and admire.

After you have picked your web hosting company you'll need to get your pages that you've created up onto their server and transferred to the web. When you're using a Windows and Linux OS you'll have FTP software that will let you get to your files from your computers hard drive to upload to the Web server at your hosting company. The benefit of using Linux OS is that you can use Telnet to upload, and then you can actually manipulate the files in a window right from your computer screen. There are some companies out there that do offer Telnet to Windows OS, but they are few and far between.

When you think of writing the pages for your website you'll need to know that almost all hosting companies offer HTML and JavaScript software for you to work within. The only difference is the designated extensions of .htm and .html. One very popular software application for Windows OS is the FrontPage application. It makes adding pages to your website a snap, but there are other software applications for a Linux OS too. So check around and look to see what you can find if you happen to use a Linux OS, and need a hosting company with Linux OS capabilities.

The use of side scripts for website development is a necessity for any site on the Internet. CGI and Perl script are two of the most well known and popular to use. Linux holds the popularity with web hosting companies, as far as these two scripts, but Windows OS can be found with a variety of companies too. If the hosting company you decide to go with does not offer a Windows option, make sure to find out how they can process these scripts for your site. Many web hosting companies have PHP and ASP that can process your information in place of the CGI and Perl scripts. You'll need to have them because you'll want to be able to have information on your site that will include surveys, guest book, and other type of forms for your visitors to use.

аHistorical Quote

In every philosophical school, three thinkers succeed one another in the following way: the first produces out of himself the sap and seed, the second draws it out into threads and spins a synthetic web, and the third waits in this web for the sacrificial victims that are caught in it—and tries to live off philosophy.

—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)

Don't forget the importance of data bases for your website. Databases are especially useful for sites that have lots of inventory of merchandise in the form of catalogs that will need reliable script server ability like SQL software. SQL is used with both Windows and Linux OS. There is another software application that can be used for Windows OS, which is Access, but it can only be used with Windows. Many people find this a drawback if they are not committed to using only a Windows OS.

If you're unsure about which OS you would like to use then you'll need to check out the software, and see which one suits your style and abilities. In reality neither one is better than the other, as far as web hosting goes. However, be forewarned that the fans of both systems will tell you that theirs is the best for web hosting. You'll need to be the final judge on the matter though. A word about Linux needs to be stated. Linux code can be changed and is free to use for all that want to learn. That's one reason it's climbing in popularity and use, but it will take a little more expertise to use. There are a few guides that are free, and some are to purchase to learn how to use the Linux OS. It will take a while to learn, but the benefits are worth it in the end. You'll have more flexibility with code, and your website will certainly be a dynamic one.

Whichever OS you go with make sure that you're comfortable in using it, and take some time to find a web hosting company that will offer you what you need to make a wonderful and profitable website for you and your customer to enjoy.

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Please note: All personal opinions expressed in the "How to Operate Ц Windows, UNIX or Linux Web Hosting Explained" article belong to the contributing author and are not necessarily shared by WebDesignConferencing.com.

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