Linux (and its close relation Unix) and Windows 2000 (and its close cousin Windows NT) are types of software (known as operating systems) that web servers use to do kind of things that web servers do. You do not need to know any real detail of either to make a decision as to which you need but here a few guidelines.

Just because you use a windows desktop PC doesn't mean you have to opt for Windows web hosting (and reverse is true as well). The operating system you use on your desktop has little to do with your choice of web hosts. As long as you understand how to use your FTP or web publishing software, your can use either operating system.

But what is important is that you know what you want your website to do and what you want to offer on it. This is what will ultimately help determine type of web hosting that will work best for you. As mentioned earlier, interactive websites usually rely on ASP, PHP, or Perl type languages.

Linux Web Hosting or Windows 2000 Web Hosting ? Make your Choice !

When it comes to Web hosting, Linux has, for some time, been widely considered best OS for Web servers. It's typically found to be most reliable, stable and efficient system and, as such, it's commonly used for demanding environment of Web and mail servers. Indeed,Most of clients websites of aalpha NET runs on Linux OS precisely because of this traditional stability.

The million-dollar question is what application are you looking to use for your hosting? Consider tools and scripting languages you plan to use – if you use PHP, Perl or MySQL, Linux is way forward. If apps are Microsoft-specific, then Windows is what you need.

If your site, like most web sites, is what might be termed "brochure-ware" then Linux servers are ideal. By brochure-ware I mean a site that offers kind of information that in past might have been provided on paper in form of brochures, newsletters or data sheets. Brochure-ware sites will offer some interaction through enquiry forms and can certainly incorporate online purchasing and other routine e-commerce functions.

If however your site incorporates an online searchable database or interactive chat facilities then Windows 2000 or NT will be a better bet in most cases. It will cost a bit more but you'll get that back in reduced development time and simply better functionality.

The following are advantages of using Linux based web server compared to Windows based web server :

Shared Hosting -- This usually refers to buying a bit of space on a server. You are sharing server with tens, maybe even hundreds of other people.

Reseller -- This is really for people who have multiple domains or who want to host other people. Depending on size of you reseller package, you may be sharing server with lots of other people.

Virtual Private server -- This is for people who need root access to server to install their own software. Basically a chunk of server is blocked off for each VPS user. There are usually not that many people sharing a server with VPS plans.

Dedicated server -- This is where you get whole server to yourself and share it with no one. This is for large or intensive CPU or RAM sites.

Shared Hosting