Hi all,

Was just wondering (esp those who run windows and *nix servers) that what percentage of clients sign up for each?

Are unix plans more popular or windows plans? I mean for those who just want a website without specific needs like ASP or PHP.

Just curious.

Some people here may have statistics. I feel Unix is more popular than Windows due the cost factor.

well, as a "customer" i've seen more *nix servers then i've seen windows servers. though i know i haven't been to all hosts, but at least the ones i've visited have been like this.

For what I have seen the past, lots more people go for the unix plan. Not that they are really choosing "unix" but that's the one that tends to be the cheaper plan.

Not to mention there are still your share of fools out there that still say windows is a lousy hosting environment - but I think most of it boils down to price.

That would be surprising. I know a lot of mom's and pop's who know nothing but want web hosting tend to go with windows plans because they can identify with it (regardless of price).

Actually net-trend I think those are people that think their web hosting plan has got something to do with what operating system is on their PC.

I've seen lots of people go "oh, well I guess I would need the windows plan" - simply because they have windows installed therefore think that is what they need.

Exactly, which is what got me curious in the first place.

How many people seeking web hosting are actually knowledgeable enough to know what they need?

Probably about 90-10 for me in favor of Unix. People don't know the difference.

Aaron

Right - I agree with Aaron. I think if you audience is more of that group of people (the not-so-techies) then you should take the whole Unix / Windows piece out of the equation.

If you have a windows plan then label it for what features it supports, ASP, SQL, etc. rather than the fact that it's windows.

LOL - I'm sure most of you saw this post anyhow, but it made me think of this thread...

http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=73569

It's a guy asking what type of hosting he needs, since he uses Windows on his PC.

Most providers cant afford windows lic fee's so they use unix servers.

Windows is a better solution for some e-commerce carts and development.

Most of our clients host e-commerce sites and select windows accounts over unix.

my 2 cents.

Tom Silver

Tom Silver,

Thanks for your response. Are you able to elaborate more on why windows is a better e-commerce solution and as a development platform?

Is it because of acceptance or the ability to associate with the MS brand?

Approx 75% of people do not search out an operating system - so due to the popularity / cost of unix / linux - this is more popular.

But for the remaining 25% that do actively look for platform, Windows is almost double the popularity of linux and over 3 times as popular as unix.

So - Windows offers opportunities, when people actively look for a specific platform it is predominately Windows that they are looking for. When people actively look for something they are already pre-qualified for a strong marketing message.