Web Site Hosting Reviews

   A majority of the software written for Unix and Linux is developed under the same GNU General Public License as the operating systems. What this means, is that it is fairly simple to locate and install the software you need with minimal, if any, out of pocket expense. Compared to the Windows platform, this is a big plus for the Unix and Linux markets.

   Unix has a proven track record of performance, stability and security. It has been in a state of constant refinement since its inception 30 years ago, and is based on open standards, allowing easy access to operating system features and applications. Unix is, by default, text-based and does not use a graphical user interface (GUI), which means it can dedicate the full power of the server to your web site.

   There are many options available when it comes to writing CGI scripts on a Unix machine. The most common at the time of this writing are PHP and PERL. There are many introductions, tutorials, and even sample scripts available on the Internet when it comes to PHP and PERL.

   What databases are available for my Unix Web site hosting? That depends mostly on the web site hosting provider you select to host your website. There are many flavors of databases that run on Unix, but the most prevalent among web site hosting providers are mSQL, MySQL., and PostgreSQL. These databases are all relational in nature, and allow highly optimized communication with your website for quick retrieval of information.

   Is it more or less expensive to host my site on a Unix or a Windows platform? That depends on what you mean by "hosting your site". If you plan to host the site yourself, and you own the web servers or the software on them, then Unix (or Linux) would definitely be a less expensive option. If you plan to sign up with a web site hosting company, and they own the servers and the software installed on them, you will find that there are excellent hosting options available for each platform at very comparable prices.