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February 02, 2011

The Advantages of Linux for Business Professionals

The Linux operating system has long been competing with Windows for popularity in the mainstream market. Although Windows is much more popular amongst personal computer users, Linux is currently the most popular operating system used in the web hosting industry. Being an open source operating system, Linux can be improved and fixed by any developer with the necessary skill sets and determination. Thus, this free, flexible, and expandable operating system is ideal for business owners and corporations that need freedom of expansion and technological flexibility for their corporate progression. The following paragraphs discuss some of the main advantages of Linux for business professionals.

Benefits of Linux for Large Corporations

Linux is currently distributed in many versions, which are also referred to as 'flavors'. Each distribution of Linux is specifically intended to accommodate the requirements of a different level of user. For example, Red Hat Enterprise Linux is usually used to manage the most powerful dedicated servers and virtual private server web hosting plans, which are frequently utilized by large corporations and their networks of sites. Since Linux is an open source operating system, corporations can hire in-house internet technology specialists and developers to provide instant assistance and ongoing application development that meets the growing needs of the business. Unfortunately, regardless of your budget or corporate needs, with the Windows operating system you'll have to rely on Microsoft for bug fixes and upgrades. Thus, most large businesses are utilizing open source customized operating system that is similar to or based on eight enterprise distribution of Linux.

Benefits of Linux for Small Businesses

Linux is also distributed in flavors that are ideal for small online businesses that have less website needs, and/or a smaller network of sites. The majority of small online business owners are novice webmasters do not have the technical skills to fix problems as they occur within their web hosting plan, and therefore need comprehensive support and assistance from the hosting provider. While web hosting users that rely on the Windows operating system will need to depend on Microsoft for bug fixes and upgrades, Linux hosting users can receive instant technical support from their hosting provider's in-house Linux specialists.

Choosing Between Windows and Linux

In short, the only reason to choose Windows as an operating system for your web hosting plan would be to utilize one of Microsoft's enterprise web applications, such as Microsoft SharePoint, or to use web pages that utilize Microsoft programming platforms like ASP (active server pages). Even so, with some Linux web hosting plans it is possible to use virtualization software to install the Windows operating system within the Linux operating system, at which point the hosting plan becomes compatible with both Windows and Linux software configurations. From a cost perspective, Linux appears to be the best value, unless you have a need for a web hosting plan that has Windows applications pre-installed. Linux is cheaper than Windows web hosting because the Linux operating system is free, so the web hosting provider does not have to purchase licenses.

Tags: linux,  open source operating system,  Linux for business,  distribution of Linux,  Red Hat,  Windows operating system