Windows:

Windows refers to Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Web Edition or Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition. The main advantage or distinction of these operating systems is that they can run Microsoft software, such as Access and MS SQL databases. Windows servers also offer web developers the use of Microsoft's programming environments such as Active Server Pages (ASP), Visual Basic Scripts, and MS Index Server.

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Web Edition offers:

• ASP scripting available
• ASP.NET 1.1/2.0 available
• Access Databases available
• Remote Desktop for Administration
• FrontPage support

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition offers in addition to these features above:

• MS SQL Server available
• MS Exchange Server available
• Active Directory available
• Virtual Private Network (VPN) available
• Assisted Service Plan Add-on
• Plesk Software Add-on available
• PIX 501 Hardware Firewall Add-on available

For more information see Microsoft's Editions comparisons chart.

Linux:

Linux refers to: Fedora 2, Fedora 4, Fedora 6, Fedora 7, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5, CentOS 4 or CentOS 5. Linux is an open source system and has a reputation for stability and speed. Linux supports a wide range of software, applications, languages, and databases. However, Linux is not fully compatible with some Microsoft technologies, so if you are using Access databases, ASP, ASP.NET, MS SQL, or VB development tools, then Windows hosting would be a better choice.

Linux Hosting Benefits:

• PHP scripting available
• CGI scripting available
• MySQL Database available
• Apache Web Server
• Chmod file permissions
• FrontPage available (not available on new servers: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5, Fedora 6, and Fedora 7)
• Assisted Service Plan Add-on available
• Plesk Software Add-on available
• cPanel Software Add-on available
• PIX 501 Hardware Firewall Add-on available