Windows or Linux server?

I'm helping a relative of mine build a website/forum for the lesbian community and although I have a good bit of experience with web design, I'm not very experienced with domains, servers, and forums, and databases, etc.

At our current stage in development, we're looking for a web host for the site/forums, and my aunt (who has no website experience) has a concern that I haven't been able to answer.

We need a web host that allows for adult content -- however, she believes that the server must be running a Windows OS in order to be compatible with her laptop. As far as I know, this isn't true, but I can't find any information supporting this, other than the fact that a friend of mine has server space running on a Linux OS and he uses Windows on his PC.

If anyone can substantiate either claim, please do so we may continue to develop the site.

Thank you,
Jeremy

What OS you run on your laptop or desktop has NOTHING to do with a webserver. If it did only Mac's could connect to Mac's, which we know isn't true.

Try to think of OS's as cars. Fords, Chevys, and Dodges all sharing the road, or internet. They will all get you where your going. Just not made by the same people, but doing THE SAME THING, surfing the 'net.

Your web browser, and EVERY web browser is designed to display web pages, no matter if the webserver is running Windows, Linux, Novell, Oracle, or OS-X. Your browser doesn't care. And the server really doesn't care what OS your running. I just DOESN'T matter.

Good Luck with your project, and I hope I helped.

Ric

Thanks, that'll be enough to convince her that the server OS is irrelevant.

I basically just couldn't find any information that I could *show* her to prove it.

You could go with either windows or linux web host that allows for adult content. If she plans on adding a forum just be sure to get a plan that allows you a MySQL database. All of my domains are hosted on linux servers and I surf the net and manage my domains from my windows xp laptop.....

I prefer linux server

Okay, we've found a host, but another concern has arisen.

Before we purchase a plan, she wants to have a good idea about how much bandwidth a forum would require. I'm just looking for averages, here -- but I'm interested in seeing how different size (population) forums use bandwidth. She wants to purchase the hosting service tonight so we can begin working on the forums.

Thanks!

Just to give you a idea....my forum has 12,000 members and we used 70gig bandwidth last month

Which WebServer u use has nothing to do with what Operating System you use

I currently use a Linux Server with my operating system being windows

Find Linux are much better servers with less downtime


As for bandwidth usage, depends on members n traffic. We've been up for 1 month, 1200+ members and currently around 15 gigs of bandwidth used

Fact: There are more linux servers powering the internet then windows servers. Go with a linux server plan you will not be sorry. It's google's backbone...If windows were better I am sure that's what they would be using on their network. Obviously they prefer linux reliablity!

I haven't been to a windows server.So I have to pick linux server.
I think most host,theyre using linux server.

I think I got it after the first "What OS you run makes no difference" reply. Thanks. We did go with a Linux server. This thread can be closed now. Hehe.

It really depends on what you will use for your site. If your going to use php then go for linux and if your going to use asp then go for windows. Good luck ('',)

Do remember to consult with your host on their policy on CPU resource usage, since forum scripts tend to be rather intensive with its usage. Some limit your CPU usage to prevent overloading the server processor. When your site gets popular, you may be asked to move to a dedicated server, to better handle your scripts.

But, aren't Window servers compatible with most things than Linux..then i think you'd have to get something called a dual installation, which i have no knowledge of.