I may seem incrediby stupid but I don't get the difference between Unix and Windows ISPs or whatever. Like when you sign up for a web host they ask whether you want a Unix or windows platform. So does this mean that if you have windows you have to select the windows platform? Please someone fill me in! :eek: :eek: :eek:

Ok, basically, windows and Linux are 2 completely different operating systems. A lot of people preffer linux because, the OS itself is generally free, and so is the software that is used to run it as a web server. With windows there are a lot of liscence fee's to be paid and whatnot. Basically, you need to look at the needs of your web site. Are you going to be using php? mySQL? Do you want good server uptime? go with linux. Are you after ASP? ms access? any other features that only windows offers? choose windows. Usually linux hosting is cheaper than windows, which is another bonus to linux. Basically, its up to you and your needs. Don't choose a hosting platform simply because you use it as a desktop.. thats just being silly. Choose the platform that best suites your needs. ( How many times can I say that in one paragraph? I'm going to stop now.. ).

No, if you use Windows on your home PC you do not have to choose Windows as a web server OS for your site. To sum up, similar to Windows, Unix and Linux are operating systems, and you can choose either (really it is personal preference). You will probably find many favoring one or another (possibly Linux more), however when you get right down to it, you probably can't tell which sites are being served up on a Windows platform, and which are being served up on a *nix platform (without doing some checking).

um... okay, I'm gonna sound even more stupid but...

what is ASP, PHP, mySQL and MS access???

AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!
:eek: :eek: :eek:

Terms:
ASP (http://webopedia.lycos.com/TERM/A/Active_Server_Pages.html)
PHP (http://webopedia.lycos.com/TERM/P/PHP.html)
SQL (http://webopedia.lycos.com/TERM/P/PHP.html) - mySQL (http://mysql.com/)
MS Access (http://www.microsoft.com/office/access/default.asp)

fanks!

You're felcome ;)