Web Hosting Reviews & Ratings

January 02, 2012

Top 5 Reasons to Leave Windows for Linux

If you’ve been in web hosting long at all (or even if you haven’t, really) we’re betting you’ve become somewhat familiar with the variety of available operating systems designed to form the backbone of your hardware. If you’re at all familiar with the offerings, we’d also be willing to bet you’re pretty darn acquainted with the popular opinions on these platforms. Everyone of us has met a Windows diehard at some point in their life, just as we’ve all also met a Linux fanatic, too. But when the rubber meets the road, which operating system really is the best option for your livelihood? If you were given the choice of only one OS to manage all of your systems, what should you properly choose? If you ask us, there’s no real contest at all: Linux is by and large the only way to go.

Why do we say that? Well, for a number of reasons, actually. However, before we dive into the meat and potatoes of the thick of things, we would like to first say that we’re hardly knocking the Windows-based server. Both operating systems have their plusses, but if we had to choose between death and a single operating system, we’d put our money on Linux every time. This is because:

1.  Linux is the Last Word in Uptime

If you perform a quick Google search, you’ll quickly find oodles of testifying to the Linux-based operating system’s potential for longevity. We’ve heard horror stories of webmasters keeping their frankenstein data blocks alive for as long as a couple years without having to reboot. All in all, if you’re looking for a stable and guaranteed operating system to keep your data online with, there’s no competition as far as we’re concerned.

This primarily has to do with the way Linux (or Unix, for that matter) is coded. How many times have you had to restart your system after a Windows update? We’re guessing almost every. However, Linux creates separate processor strings for each and every one of its open procedures, ensuring there’s no need to reboot the registry after a heavyweight update has been performed. Likewise, there’s no possibility of “junk” collecting over time, or overloading the system. And assuming you do find a process you’d rather wasn’t running, it’s a simple task to kill the beast from within the Linux shell. At the end of the day, Linux is simply stabler across the board, offering true 99.9% uptime for you and your systems.

2.  Linux is (Usually) Free

Another benefit of using Linux over Windows is the lack of a proprietary license with the first. What we mean, essentially, is that Linux won’t cost you a dime to download and use. For the most part, the platform is free to use, and free to distribute. This allows you to not only set up a single server with the same Linux distribution, but potentially hundreds of individual servers, and at no cost to your business. This is a brilliant thing, especially considering server licenses for Windows can become quite expensive, as is technical support for the purchased software. And though there are paid editions of Linux, even these are typically available in a freeware format: The different between them is usually one of available technical support. And on that note . . .

3.  Linux Does Come with Tech Support:

One of the long standing myths about Linux is that it comes with little to no technical support. And though this might have been true ten years ago, it is by far no longer the case. Such varied companies as Red Hat, Novell, and Canonical have jumped on the paid support train, allowing users to by into a private Linux network (as well as a distribution) that comes stock with world-class technical assistance. Should your server encounter any problems, or should you simply need a walkthrough during a tricky installation, these 24/7 lines are available for you and your business to draw from. Outside of paid support, there’s also a wealth of online information, including guides and shell commands just waiting to be uncovered with a quick Google search. If you’re encountering a problem, odds are there’s an immediate solution available on the Net: And because of our next point, you’re able to rapidly fix the issue, regardless of its nature.

4.  Linux Comes with Unbridled Control

Another important notch in Linux’ favor is its unprecedented level of administrative control. Because of the direct access to the command line, any and all aspects of your system can be tapped without hassle. Essentially, you—or any other admin—can adjust the system’s core processes directly to meet your needs. Should you find yourself disliking a certain software package, it takes only a shell command or two before the old system has been removed, and a new one installed. Furthermore, Linux grants its administrative users unprecedented control over the other tenants of the server. If you’re leasing space on your drive out to others, it is far easier within Linux to control their powers and privileges. Granted, all of this power comes with an impressive learning curve, but if you’re willing to learn the lingo, you’ll very quickly find a whole field of possibilities opening before you: An experience rarely found in Windows.

5.  Linux is Secure:

And, lastly, Linux is simple safer than Windows. There are no known—or at least prominent—viruses floating around the Web to which Linux is susceptible. Because of the way the operating system is coded, it is in fact nearly impossible to wreck your system or steal your information without your consent. In comparison, Windows is notorious for its loopholes, security oversights, and copious viruses. Unlike Windows, Linux requires no expensive virus scanning software, and will never fail because of a trojan horse or worm virus. At the end of the day, Linux is simply safer, more stable, and longer lasting than any other operating system available on the market, making it the ideal solution for your server needs.

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