I really need some help deciding what hosting plan is right for me. The initial question is Linux or Windows. Please help me decide what I need. I am also trying to figure out if I need php pages or asp pages. I am stumpted and need some direction.

Here is my info:

My website: www.want2sharenetwork.com

It is almost complete except for my issues that I need your answers to help me with.

I created the entire site so far in html I it is fine up to this point but now I need to do things that I can't do in html.

QUESTION # 1 : Do I need PHP or ASP for the following problems?

#1 I need users to register & create logon. I need an account # assigned to them when their login is created.
#2 I need them to record their name address telephone etc
#3 I need them to complete a survey
#4 I need them to have access to their bills & ability to pay them via pay pal website pro after they login using their registered account.

Here is the tricky part. After they complete all of this information. I need the data recorded into a database. I need the ability to pull that data, change it, & add additional data at any point.

I am hiring someone to do the pages for me in php but don't know if that is the right choice.

Is php script capable of doing all of the above tasks or do I need an interactive script like ASP?

The general idea is that I need to record all of this information and retrieve it and edit it at anytime.

I am trying to do what anyone who signs up for service or pays their bills through say a phone company website. ASP or PHP that is the question. If I get that question answered then I know what web host / hosting platform to choose?

Thanks for any help you can give.

#1 I need users to register & create logon. I need an account # assigned to them when their login is created.
#2 I need them to record their name address telephone etc
#3 I need them to complete a survey
#4 I need them to have access to their bills & ability to pay them via pay pal website pro after they login using their registered account.

That can be done in PHP. It can also be done in ASP.

I am hiring someone to do the pages for me in php but don't know if that is the right choice.

It can be, but it might not be exactly cheap. Are you sure there isn't already a script out there that can do the job you need? Maybe something like OScommerce.com? You might still need a programmer to help you set things up though.

If I get that question answered then I know what web host / hosting platform to choose?

In a way yes. IMO, if you choose to go for ASP, then you should go for Windows hosting. I would choose PHP and Linux though.

Hi

Though I am very good with ASP Programming I will suggest you to go for PHP.
PHP can do all (lots more than ASP). It is also easy programming language. And top of that you can run on Linux server with MySQL Database which is cheaper and secure that Window Servers.

So, Go for PHP/Linux.

It doesn't matter which one you go with, espeicially since your not writing the code.

The ONLY difference between windows/ASP and Linux/PHP is this:
price.

windows hosting usually costs more because of the extra licensing fees the host must pay.
That's it.

ASP can do EVERYTHING PHP can do and neither one is more secure then the other.

I personally would go with PHP simply because there are more people that use it and there is more code freely available on the 'net.

I agree, the open source way (PHP) is the best way to go. There are lots of contributors in the open source community constantly working and improving any pre-written scripts you may install.

Looks like you may have already taken the open source route as I've just seen your BBS. Sound choice.

Good luck, need more help just shout!

Andrew
www.hostyorkshire.com