Dynamic Websites with Windows Hosting

Today, individuals and businesses have to invest a lot of time and energy into creating and maintaining dynamic websites that are truly visually effective.  Those looking for an easier and more efficient way to deal with their content are increasingly turning to Windows hosting.  The availability of Microsoft’s Active Server Pages technology in Windows hosting solutions provides for dynamic web pages that can help give your website the best possible presentation and performance.  ASP is a powerful and flexible technology that can provide your site users with a range of interactive page options and functionality that surpasses the norm.  When opting for a Windows hosting package equipped with this dynamic programming technology, you will then have the tools needed to gain an edge on the competition. .

The ASP Advantage

There are numerous advantages to building your website with ASP.  Perhaps the most obvious is the presence of dynamic elements that will make your site look more appealing to visitors.  This is a winning quality for the online business owner who wants to enhance the browsing experience while trying to entice potential customers with their products or services.  In fact, more and more businesses are investing in Windows hosting merely because of its ability to help them better engage the consumer and market their products.   This is not only made possible from the use of ASP, but several other Microsoft technologies bundled in the Windows Server operating system and IIS web server.

A dynamic, content-rich website is generally easier to maintain, and this is especially true when your pages and applications are powered by ASP.  The ASP framework encourages good programming practices, which empowers the knowledgeable developer to work with clean code that produces compliant output.  Due to the fact that it is tightly integrated with IIS and the Windows platform, your visitors will be able to enjoy feature loaded web pages in the way they were meant to be viewed regardless of what type of browser they use.  ASP makes one of the best options for providing rich, dynamic content that jumps off the screen at your visitors.

Getting the Best ASP Solution

As with any type of solution, there are many factors that must be considering when opting for a Windows host that supports ASP.  Any server, regardless of the technology it uses, it is susceptible to downtime and other technical issues.  For this reason, you want to seek out a provider that provides a reliable service able to assure you as little downtime as possible.  It is also highly recommended that you find a host using the latest version of software applications and dependable hardware.  Old software and equipment often have vulnerabilities that can result in security breaches and other problems you don’t need.  For this reason, you may also want to consider using ASP.NET as it is the most current of Microsoft’s Active Server Pages technology.  Paying attention to these factors will help to ensure that your site stays up and running online and your dynamic can be viewed in the manner it was meant to be.

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Oct 19, 2009 : Windows Web Hosting One response so far

Windows Hosting with Silverlight

For some time now, the Microsoft brand has been synonymous with information technology and more recently, formed close ties with the web hosting industry.  Over the years, Windows hosting has made a name for itself with powerful features such as ASP, ASP.NET, FrontPage and MS SQL among several others.  One of the most highly sought after features these days is a Microsoft technology known as Silverlight.

What is Silverlight?

Silverlight is a browser plugin that supports major web browsers such as Internet Explorer, FireFox, Safari and many others.  As a cross-platform technology, it is not only compatible with Windows, but other operating systems such as Mac OS X, Linux and Unix.  Silverlight is viewed as Microsoft’s alternative to Adobe’s Flash technology.  This is because similar to Flash, it allows users to view media applications directly from their web browser in a streaming fashion that lets you listen to music and watch videos in near real-time.  Perhaps the greatest advantage of Silverlight is its ability to be integrated with existing web applications thanks to a robust development framework that supports a number of programming languages.  Whereas using Flash on the .NET Framework is messy at best, Silverlight was made for this powerful environment, giving it the ability to deliver unrivaled results.

Silverlight 3 Features and Benefits

Silverlight 3 was officially released on July 9, 2009.  This version is bundled with many improvements and new features that enable developers to take the rich media experience to the next level.

Enhanced User Experience – The newest version of Silverlight comes included with new 3D graphics, text enhancement, font support and animation features, all of which provide developers and designers with a way to create next-generation web browsing experiences for the end-user.

Deep Linking Capability – Silverlight 3 offers support for deep linking, allowing for the bookmarking of pages within rich internet applications.

SEO-Friendly - With Silverlight 3, users can deal with a number of SEO-related tasks dues to its seamless compatibility with a number of different tools.  By combining business objects on the server with site maps and ASP.NET controls, you can mirror the content of your applications into HTML format that can be indexed by the search engine bots, thus providing for better ranking in the SERPs.

Giving Silverlight a Test Drive

These features and benefits do not even scratch the surface because Silverlight has much more to offer.  Hosting this amazing technology is incredibly easy since there are no significant requirements due to its cross-platform capabilities.  However, there are some factors you want to keep in mind.  Silverlight can be a resource hogging feature, particularly if your plans require a large entertainment or multimedia site.  For this reason, you may want to consider hosting it on a virtual private server or dedicated server.  If you want to give Silverlight a test run, you can try it out with Microsoft Silverlight Streaming.  This is a free alternative that allows you to experience Silverlight for yourself before giving up your existing rich media technology.

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Oct 13, 2009 : Windows Web Hosting No responses yet

Five Reasons to Choose Windows Server 2008 Hosting

Windows hosting is quickly becoming a preferred choice and Windows Server 2008 is one of the main reasons.  The latest version of Microsoft’s server operating system is equipped with many innovative technologies, including new web services, virtualization tools and enhanced security features that make it one of the most reliable platforms on the market.  Customers are increasingly flocking to Windows hosting solutions and here are five reasons to choose Windows Server 2008 as your web platform.

1.) Tailor Made For Web Users

Windows Server 2008 is integrated with IIS 7.0, a powerful application that greatly simplifies server management.  Server administrators are provided with comprehensive management interfaces that enable a higher degree of cross-site control and grants more authority to the end-user.  When used in conjunction with the Microsoft .NET Framework, IIS ensures that you can share data on a much greater level and deliver content to your audience in a more efficient manner.

2.) Powerful Virtualization Technology

If VPS hosting is something you have been considering, Windows Server 2008 makes the ideal platform for your web needs.  This software offers robust virtualization capabilities, allowing you to virtualize multiple operating systems, be it Windows, Linux or Unix, on a single server.  Due to the enhanced flexibility in licensing policies, you can leverage all the cost savings and advantages virtualization has to offer.  With the aid of Windows Server 2008, administrators can work fluently in dynamic environments where they are able to quickly and seamlessly adapt to evolving business needs.  Deploying applications can now be done in a convenient and secure manner without the need for a virtual private network.

3.) Reliable Security Features

Windows Server 2008 is easily the most secure server operating system ever developed by Microsoft.  The platform has been hardened with features such as NAP (Network Access Protection), read-only domain controllers and Federate Rights Management, all of which help to ensure adequate protection for your data, network and mission-critical functions.  Even if a website, server or even the network is compromised, this the security features built into this rock-solid OS will help to isolate the threat and greatly minimize the damage.

4.) An Ideal Choice for Business

Windows Server 2008 is one of the most flexible and scalable server operating systems  available, increasing Microsoft’s market share and giving Red Hat Linux a run for its money.  With enhanced clustering and networking technologies, choosing to host your site on this platform ensures you a versatile and reliable environment to support your application requirements and dramatically boost productivity within your organization.

5.) A Solution You Can Count On

When it comes to web hosting, reliability should be your primary concern in making a decision. Windows Server 2008 can provide the reliability you need, standing out from the competition with a foundation tailored for success. With a code base that is even stronger than the previous version and a host of powerful features, this platform makes an excellent choice for creating, delivering and managing the dynamic applications and rich user experiences needed to help you succeed online.

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Aug 26, 2009 : Windows Web Hosting No responses yet

Why Choose Windows Hosting?

When it comes to web hosting, you generally have two options to choose from: Linux or Windows.  These operating systems form the core for a server and are of the utmost importance to the functioning of your website.   Although Linux is dominant in the hosting arena, Windows is becoming more common and now stands firm as a solid number-two option.  For those who are not quite sure of which platform to choose, this article will explain why Windows always makes a great choice.

Tremendous Power and Less Complex

Most Windows hosting packages today are based on either Microsoft Windows Server 2003 or 2008 operating systems.  Designed after Windows NT, these powerful systems enable end-to-end server management with features that provide for scalability and enhanced security.  It also offers a fully integrated environment for web development where the .NET Framework and other Microsoft technologies can be used to create dynamic web pages and applications.  The architecture of Windows has made the platform an efficient tool for integrating various business functions with the internet.

A Microsoft-Friendly Solution

If your website requires the use of Microsoft products like ASP and FrontPage, then Windows hosting makes the perfect solution.  Though officially replaced by Expression Web , the FrontPage clients remains one of the most widely used web design and management tools.  Designed with the novice in mind, this program is very easy to use yet loaded with enough features to help you create an interactive, dynamic website.  While ASP isn’t necessarily geared towards beginners, it tends to be easier to use than other server-side scripting technologies and integrates seamlessly with a wide variety of programming languages.  These features and more attribute to the reputation Windows has earned for being a user-friendly hosting solution.

Wide Ranging Support and Compatibility

The major advantage of Windows hosting is that the platform easily integrates with various Microsoft products.  For example, all components from IIS (Internet Information Services) to the SQL Server database system are designed to support one another.  Due to its immense popularity, several developers have created a number of applications and technologies that are compatible with the Windows platform.  In addition to this, open-source products such as PHP, Perl and MySQL can all be run efficiently on Windows.  The same cannot be said when trying to run ASP or MS SQL on a Linux or Unix server.

Surprisingly Cost Efficient

In terms of cost, Windows hosting has traditionally been a more costly solution than those based on Linux.  This is due to proprietary software licenses owned by Microsoft.  With that said, Windows hosting is generally affordable these days and a feature-rich plan can easily be found for under $10 per month.  In fact, unless you require your own server, this type of plan can actually be just as affordable as the price of a Unix-based package.  Factor in the power and high performance you get from the platform and your money is well spent.

Conclusion

Windows hosting makes a viable option for a broad range of needs.  This platform can provide virtually all the same functionality as Linux and a little more when considering integration with other Microsoft products.  Although you might have to pay a little more, the power and efficiency of the Windows platform outweighs the cost disadvantage by far.

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Aug 24, 2009 : Windows Web Hosting No responses yet

Unix vs. Windows Hosting

Although the terms are often used interchangeably, Unix and Linux are two entirely different systems.  Linux was actually modeled after Unix, which is the oldest and one of the most widely used operating systems in the web hosting environment.  This platform is largely responsible for powering the internet and World Wide Web, proving that it can seamlessly run a multitude of applications and put out an excellent performance.  While Unix is definitely a stable and reliable system, its reputation as a cost effective platform isn’t necessarily a fitting title.  Earlier versions were at the forefront of the open-source software revolution but unlike Linux, not all distributions of Unix are open-source and definitely not free.   When purchasing a piece of server hardware equipped the software, you will find that a Unix license and complete system may cost tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Unix Pros

The Unix operating system was made to perform demanding tasks, giving it the ability to run multiple sites on a single machine with ease.  It is extremely flexible for programming environments and provides a tremendous level of administrative control.  Unix handles CGI scripts perhaps better than any other system, making it ideal for hosting operations that require a lot of automation.

Unix Cons

The disadvantages of Unix do not have much of a bearing on end-users or shared hosting customers, but to the server administrator, they can be a determining factor.  Thriving off raw DOS-like commands, it can be incredibly difficult to learn as there is no GUI to simplify management tasks.  In fact, it can take administrators years to fully grasp all the basic commands of the Unix operating system.

Windows

A relative newcomer to the web hosting arena, Microsoft got its start in the market with the introduction of its NT server operating system.  Windows NT was beloved instantly for its ease of use and seamless integration with the FrontPage web authoring tool.  This niche variation really appealed to users who lacked the ability to code with scripting technologies such as HTML, CGI and PHP.  Despite its popularity, Windows NT quickly gained a bad reputation for being vulnerable to exploits and stability issues.  The platform improved greatly with the introduction of Windows Server 2003 and got even better with the release of Windows Server 2008 in 2007.

Windows Pros

Windows offers a user-friendly setting that is quite familiar to its desktop environment, making it easier to use for administrators.  Instead of complex commands, management tasks can be handled from a GUI boasting icons and easy to use tools.

Windows Cons

Now far more stable and secure, the Windows disadvantages have been reduced significantly.  The biggest drawback would be cost, which stems from licenses tied to the Microsoft SQL Server, Exchange and even the Windows platform itself.

Conclusion

When it comes down to it, both Unix and Windows have demonstrated their ability to perform efficiently in the web hosting environment.  Both are traditionally more expensive than Linux so cost may not be as big a factor as you may think.  Perhaps the best way to decide is to base the decision on your experience with server software and most importantly, your particular needs.

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Jul 01, 2009 : Linux Web Hosting Windows Web Hosting No responses yet