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by: MattHedges
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Building a website can be a very technical endeavor. Until now most people shied away from building a webpage because it seemed like a strange uninviting land. More and more web hosts are aware of the general population, and small businesses desire to have their own website, in fact in some cases need their own site, and are making programs available to the less technically inclined. There are several operating systems most often used in website design. These are Microsoft Windows, and Linux, with UNIX and Macintosh also common, but not as often used.

The most popular of all operating system is Windows, created by Microsoft. It is the main programming software found on computers when consumers and businesses purchase them, and it is the operating system most people are familiar with. The platform that is the operating system is an important consideration when you are choosing your web host as well. In the past most web hosts operated on the technical Linux systems since more of the technical builders used that program. With the huge expanse of mass market web site building programs the need for Windows based hosting grew and is now commonplace. It is important to be sure when you choose a web host that they offer Windows platforms to operate your website.

If a website has to be hosted, that would incorporate the use of Microsoft products, it is always advisable to use Windows as a platform. Microsoft, windows feature an effective Internet Information Server (IIS). Whenever the hosting is based on ASP and Microsoft Access and SQL server, use of IIS is recommended or rather is needed. There are several components used for web hosting like that of CGI. Use of these components can be best experienced if the website is hosted on Windows. Windows web hosting also has a lot of pre-made programs designed for use with Windows web servers.

Windows compared to UNIX

Windows and UNIX websites can be accessed internationally by everybody. The main difference exists in the software provided to the host servers data. Windows most always provides the best software and services in all of its purposes. It is a very reliable operating system and its programs are effective and functional but UNIX remains a little ahead in these areas due to increased stability and the ability to run long periods of time without rebooting. At the same time, in the modern world Windows meets the needs of its users better than UNIX.

Windows is used where Microsoft products are into application like, MS Access databases, ASP for delivering dynamic content, and VBScript for site enhancements. UNIX is not devised to accommodate the mentioned technologies. Therefore those who are in need of these technologies will ultimately have to depend on Windows. Moreover what UNIX provides, is already there with Windows.

Windows vs Linux

Both Windows and Linux can support standard Cold Fusion, HTML and JavaScript files. Previously it was difficult to use Linux server for FrontPage extensions but now it is easy to do so. CGI and Perl platforms are though supported by Windows but Linux is commonly used for these. Linux commonly supports PHP while Windows support ASP.

The biggest advantage of Windows over Linux is that it runs all of the Microsoft software such as Access and can also create MS SQL database that is used by many hosts now. The Windows platform gives developers programming environments such as VBScripts (Visual Basic Scripts), Active Server Pages (ASP), and the Index capabilities of MS Index Server. Linux is not able to access those Microsoft features so if a use requires the use of MS SQL, ASP, OR VBScript as a method of development they must use Windows.

It is always better to study what the windows package has to offer. Not all packages offer the same facilities but whatever they offer has to be studied for better result and performances:

Some of the features of the Windows operating system are:

* .NET Support

ASP.net is the most modern of Microsoft's Active Server Page and allows for a great integration of information sharing and access. It is an important part of the Internet Information Server or IIS. Some servers charge additional fees for this feature.

* Databases

Generally most of the website owners have a tendency to provide Microsoft Access 2000 Database. But if the business is bigger and the company for whom the hosting would be down is large size, then MS SQL is required.

* PHP and ColdFusion

These are advanced features that not all web hosts make available. They usually only give this option if they have it to the most specialized of websites.

* Control Panel

Control panel is the key stone of the arch. This can be used by the website owner to monitor and maintain his/her website.

Some other kit that is expected from a web host for providing a web hosting for windows include POP3 email IDs and Aliases, Backup, Bandwidth, IP, Webmail and SMTPs, FTP Accounts, CDONTS and ASP Support.

Windows will remain one of the most popular forms of hosting supports because there is a large popularity in the general public in regards to Windows as an operating system. The company has done well to brand themselves as a stable, reliable computer environment system. The company's public presence also gives the impression of long-lasting stability and there is less fear that the system will go out of style, or disappear requiring a new purchase. Most web hosts now provide services specifically for the Windows based platform users. All of this makes Microsoft Windows a massive force in the computer operations world.

Windows has a great support system for its users. This includes many free tutorials, and pages and pages of information as well as live and virtual technical support. That is just a part of what makes it so extremely popular amongst average people without technical backgrounds.

About the Author

Author: Matt Hedges. Hedges, a 12 year veteran of the web hosting industry, helps small business owners find the best hosting companies on the Internet.

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