May I know what are the pros and cons of Linux and Windows hosting? Are the the same or different?

Do you have a windows-based web application ( which requires IIS / ASP )? If you do, then you must choose Windows.

If not, I'm recommend choosing Linux.

they are different at the OS level obviously. BUT Apache, which is the usual *nix server, can also run on a windows OS so the distinction does start to blur somewhat.

So! With that in mind when people say Linux can do "x" but windows can't. They usually mean that Apache can but IIS can't.

Originally Posted by eugen

If not, I'm recommend choosing Linux.

Why? ..

I'd say that the main difference between the 2 is that you cannot run asp.net web sites on a linux server.
The same goes for ms sql server...

Appart from that, there are no major differences between the 2.

It seems this is a very common topic and once in a while it appears in different hosting forums. You can do a search and you will get many similar threads. Hope this helps.

I'm thinking of setting up forums (phpBB or MyBB or vBulletin) and a few wordpress blogs and if possible, and some general sites...

What sort of hosting should i take..? WINDOWS OR LINUX...?

Originally Posted by Dr.Viper

I'm thinking of setting up forums (phpBB or MyBB or vBulletin) and a few wordpress blogs and if possible, and some general sites...

What sort of hosting should i take..? WINDOWS OR LINUX...?

For general sites as you mentioned, it doesn't matter. Toss a coin.
As was said above, you only need Windows if you're using ASP apps. (also MS SQL and Access databases)

Actually, Linux is more common because it is cheaper to setup. So, the hosting cost to you is usually lower.
I'd worry more about the company's rep and quality of support than what OS they're running.

Linux is open source windows cost money
LInux is usualy more secure windows is known to have more bugs

The "security" is very very little to do with the underlying OS

It's the applications that are likely to have "holes" in them.
http://www.ihelpyou.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28237 post #5

Originally Posted by $alesman

Linux is open source windows cost money
LInux is usualy more secure windows is known to have more bugs

Sure a you can download a copy of linux for yourself and run it on you personal computer for free, but the versions of linux that are running on servers arn't typically being passed out free of charge. You can find nearly identical hosting plans, one on linux, the other on windows, for the same price, so I don't see how this is a factor.

As for the security issue, I'm seconding what Chris said.

Linux has a ton of great open source/free applications....screw windowssss (even though my laptop has it....)

According to me woindows is the best bcz will run all server script and db.. For linux wants to run any MS script or DB very diff and can say not possible

Linux is the choice of many web host's because it is cheaper (free) and more reliable and easier configure than windows. I think windows is great for corporate intranets because of the active directory but other than that imo it is much slower and requires more resources than a lamp server.

For you as for the end used that is not important to know the difference in the tech details. What you need is be aware what do you need and be sure that 95% of cases that is linux and that is less expensive

>According to me woindows is the best bcz will run all server script and db.. For linux wants to run any MS script or DB very diff and can say not possible

I'd argue this point the other way. If you're using LAMP, then you can choose Windows or Linux, But with ASP etc, you're mostly stuck in Windows.

At the end of the day use what you're comfortable with.

If your using a PHP application/script/software then I would recommend you use Linux. PHP runs better (in my experiance) on a Linux OS than a Windows one. If your using MS SQL/.ASP than Windows is where you need to go with.

Most servers I've seen in my experiance use CentOS. Free. Windows costs money. Most hosts charge an extra amount of money (average $10/month) for Windows (unless they are a Windows based host.)

Depends what you want to host, personally I always use CentOS to host a game server.

Evaluation of the security level is linux than windows, but about an aspect that many windows are the convenient than linux.

Windows web hosting is just as good as linux web hosting. I didn't read the responses, however I'm sure it has been mentioned that Windows can aslo support a few features Linux can not (ASP). With that in mind, remember that Windows requires a license to operate. Linux however is free. The license fee may be reflected in the price you're paying for hosting.