1. Whats the difference between UNIX and Windows NT based web hosting package?

2. Do they use different control panel?

3. Different price range?

4. Hows your guys opinions & experience?

Thanks!

It's pretty much an apples and oranges thing - much like saying what's the difference between a PC and a Mac. There are elements that cross over but many don't. Yes they use different control panels (or at least different control panel software).

Windows hosting is generally more expensive due to their being no free lunch with much of the software needed to run a host on an NT server.

Lastly, I think it's a personal thing. If you're a coldfusion programmer, or use UltraDev, or need ASP access then NT is going to be something you'd be interested in. Linux offers a lot more options for freeware (and software in general really).

Greg Moore

I just wanted to add that Cold Fusion will run on Unix too, much better than on NT (from a coding standpoint) although people say that Cold Fusion has more security risk on platforms other than NT but Im no expert hacker so I really cant say.

Simply put, Unix/Linux is generally considered to be faster, more secure, and less expensive. Also, most of the CGI applications out there on the Web are written for Linux/Unix, so if you want to add something like a bulletin board to your site you're going to have many more choices if you're hosted on a Unix/Linux server.

You might want to look in the Dedicated forum here, this topic is a popular one and has been discussed several times. Also, a search on Google for "unix vs nt" (http://www.google.com/search?num=100&hl=en&lr=&safe=off&q=unix+vs+nt) will give you a ton of information.

My opinionated short answer is: If you have to ask, you're better off with Unix/Linux.