Windows servers are designed to accommodate advanced Microsoft applications. Windows Servers therefore integrate back office offerings such as FrontPage, Access and MS SQL. Windows Servers also offer specific programming environments such as Active Server Pages (ASP), Visual Basic Scripts, and Cold Fusion, which mainly link database applications to the Web.

Windows servers usually do not provide an interactive shell, but are accessible through GUI-based remote administration packages such as PCAnywhere or through a customized control panel. Such packages allow you to log into the server's desktop as chief administrator as long as you have full control over your server. Windows hosting is now an excellent option for both shared and dedicated servers.

Due to the latest technological developments, Windows Servers can be more easily multiplexed and managed due to .NET technology. Windows is also an excellent operating system to use if you intend to run your own dedicated server. Since Windows servers provide unparalleled levels of support, security and integration for the Microsoft family of products, we recommend that consumers select Windows hosting if they need to link a Microsoft-based service to their Internet hosting requirements. Windows hosting, however, is rather complex and labor-intensive and should only be selected if a webmaster has extensive experience in maintaining Windows systems remotely and requires product/Web integration.

If a webmaster does not have experience in deployment or development in the Windows environment, they might opt to host on the UNIX platform. A large number of hosting solutions are provided on the UNIX platform. This is because the UNIX platform is specifically designed to accommodate heavy Web traffic and server loads.

UNIX servers are robust and are recognized for their ability to host multiple sites and serve out gigabytes of traffic. This platform is also preferred by most webmasters due to their technical requirements. UNIX servers provide a wider degree of flexibility due to their shell environment. Shell environments are interactive, text-based systems that allow webmasters to interact and customize their services in real-time from any computer system worldwide.

Unlike Windows systems, UNIX is not limited to special remote administration programs. A typical UNIX system can be accessed from any computer connected to the Internet without special or expensive software. But the most favored reason that most webmasters choose the UNIX platform is because of its uptime. Most UNIX systems with heavy traffic can provide 99 per cent uptime. Windows servers with heavy traffic usually cannot make this same claim, unless specially configured. For this reason, average webmasters should select UNIX as their OS.

If you are a novice, you most likely will not require Windows hosting and you should select one of many UNIX hosting plans. The only time you would need to use Windows hosting is when you are using the specific Windows applications noted above. Microsoft FrontPage may be used on both the UNIX and Windows platforms, since most hosting firms support Microsoft FrontPage server extensions on both.