Would anyone be willing to point out some basic differences between using Linux or Windows for me as it pertains to a reseller plan? I've already searched WHT for previous threads on this subject, but all I found was that coldfusion is not supported by Windows. What would be best with large reseller account? Thank you in advance for any opinions.

asp = windows

Most if not all things are possible on either platforms. It may cost money to implement some things on Linux that are Windows based. For example, ASP and ColdFusion are windows based things, but you can get free and paid programs for ASP to use on Linux. ColdFusion is available as a for pay product to do on Linux also. Both are 3rd party programs. So either way you have to pay for ColdFusion.

As for the OS's themselves. Each has their own opinion. I personally find Linux far more stable and much faster as an OS. Some people doing speed tests say that Apache is not as fast as other products. I find this hard to beleive. I've ran webservers off of Windows NT and Linux, my linux box ran like it wasn't even bothered by the load. My Windows box was much slower. In my opinion the Linux box ran 4 times faster. I also did not load a GUI and only loaded things pertinant to a server. Linux can be confusing to some. But it gives you more controlm overall.

Neofree

Thanks Neofree, As a former teacher, I can always recognize someone with talent in the art of explanation. With this information, I should be more comfortable in choosing a host.

Xnet, There is also much to say about simplicity. Thanks

I agree with most of neofree's statement's. However, as much as I absolutely hate windoze, I will always recommend hosting on windows if you are using mainly windows type applications. Yes, there are third party products that allow windows specific apps to run on linux. But they are not always as good, and are limited in their capabilities.

Further, if you are dealing with windows apps on linux, the support issue may come into play. A good windows host, has support people that know these apps like the back of their hand. Whereas a linux host may not know as much, and in most cases will just refer you to the vendor.

That being said, unless your site requires use of MS apps, I'd recommend a *nix based host anyday over a windoze host.

-Dan

Originally posted by sandstorm32
Xnet, There is also much to say about simplicity. Thanks

:D - I'm a Linux person for hosting - but am seriouslly considering getting my MSCEin Windows 2000 and .NET server as I have worked with them before as a tech at other job ... probably something I'll really start looking into within 18 months ...

I don't think server farms can afford to push one over the other too much. According to some server testing authorities Windows IIS is faster than all but Solaris under a certain circumstance. The difference is more noticeable with dynamic content because ASP excels in this environment.

I tend to dismiss performance as the last thing to be concerned about. Who will notice the type of performance that is being debated for the "average" web hosting application - nobody probably.

Of more concern is the experience of the server administrator. Starting from scratch with freeBSD might be a little more time consuming than Windows 2000 - but I believe that gap has also narrowed considerably. Again, as a hosting company you may decide you need to do them both if your ambitious. :)

Scott Hirsch, SecureWebs, Inc.

Originally posted by SecureWebs
According to some server testing authorities Windows IIS is faster than all but Solaris under a certain circumstance.
"...some server testing authorities..."? You mean Microsoft? :spiny: