Should I choose a Windows or Linux hosting account?
All of our hosting accounts, except Windows IIS7 accounts and Linux Web Hosting powered by Grid, support basic HTML/CSS/JavaScript and Microsoft Frontpage*.
The type of hosting you need depends on what kind of development language or database you might use with your website. Your home operating system will not affect which hosting account you choose.
Choose a Linux Hosting account if you're going to use PHP, Ruby, Perl, Python, or CGI scripting. Our Linux accounts use a MySQL database. If you plan on using a Web application to blog, podcast, or create a shopping cart, check to see what language the developers used to create the application.
Choose a Windows Hosting account if you're going to use ASP, ASP.NET, or ASP.NET 2.0. Our Windows hosting customers typically use a SQL Server (MS SQL) or Access database. If you plan on using a Web application to blog, podcast, or create a shopping cart, check to see what language the developers used to create the application. ASP.NET and ASP.NET 2.0 application typically require some programming on your computer before you can use the application online.
If a you need to use PHP, but still require a Windows hosting account, you will need to select Windows IIS7. IIS7 is an option for your Windows account as part of the setup process.
*NOTE TO FRONTPAGE USERS: If you're storing form information in a database, you want a Windows hosting account. Otherwise you can use either Linux or Windows hosting.
