A big task to every web hosting seeker is to choose a right platform. A platform forms the base, it decides your web site shape and functionality. One of the tough task is do so is taking a decision on web hosting server operating system, so far big movers has been Linux and Windows. Though UNIX has huge market share enterprise segment only very little in shared web hosting. Most of the available online information are driven by web hosting provider and they tend to support what they use. Microsoft (MS) owns the Windows operating system. Linux is open source and generally free, in some distributions it is licensed on support, but still code is open. This means it can often be more expensive to set up and run a Windows server. This fact does not affect you much unless your are actually setting up server for yourself. But generally windows based shared hosting prices are little costly.This article is aimed to provide neutral comparison between popular share hosting operating system, Linux Vs Windows.

1. Server Security comes down to the competency of the system administrators.  In both Linux and windows user level control and access restrictions are built in. But Linux offers more control tweaking functionality. A secure web hosting provider should have fully tweaked OS to offer uncompromisable information security. This phase is called as OS hardening.
2. Linux/Unix based servers have better security. Mainly because these operating systems have consistently been reliable while Windows is a big target for exploitation.
3. Windows is seen as being insecure is that it is the most widely used operating system for home PC’s. People spend more time looking for flaws in the most common system. They try to attack server pc with techniques learned from local PC
4. Some people naturally assume that because their PC runs Windows they need to buy a Windows hosting package. This isn’t true. Access to your web account will most likely be through FTP or a control panel and both servers support these methods.
5. Linux performs faster because Windows (as usual) attempts to offer an ‘all in one’ package instead of the extendable Linux implementation
6. Windows servers are more expensive to run, buying a Windows hosting package can often turn out to be a costly affair. Licensed Software apart from OS licenses individual licenses required for supporting applications
7. Choice of server platforms depends on what you intend to put it. The majority of web features run fine on both platforms including PHP, mySQL, IMAP, POP3, JAVA etc. If you intend to create your site using ASP, FrontPage, the .NET environment, Windows Streaming Media, Access, MSSQL, or any of the other Microsoft proprietary technologies then you probably need to use a Windows host. Rewriting code to work with linux hosting is a big task

Take decision based on what are you going to do with the hosting account and how

More information on shared hosting security:
http://www.hexahost.com/blogs/honest-hosting/information-on-shared-hosting-security/
http://www.hexahost.com/blogs/honest-hosting/shared-hosting-security-2/

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Domain name provides entry pass to your own internet identity. Domain name registration is the most important step to your future life. Appropriate domain name is more than an identity. Domain name is your brand. Domain name is your USP. It is the first impression you could ever make with your customer/visitor. It is your most valuable online asset. It adds credibility to your site. It gives exclusivity. It promotes branding. Differentiates you from competitors. Enough of Hypes. Registering a domain name is just a few clicks job. But choosing a right one to gain advantage is little tricky. This article will enable you to complete it a lot easier. First of decide your contents, and motivation for domain name and just follow these steps.

First few points to note:

1. Anyone can register, any domain name, in any TLd (Top level domain like .com, .net, .info etc)
2. Any number of domain names can be registered
3. Up to 67 characters long up to 10 Years validity.

What to Choose:

1. Choose a domain name in view of your most important keywords.
2. FIRST STEP SEO Split your domain name in to normal words and do a search for example to book mycityheroes.com search for “my city heroes” Look in to your right most result column lesser the  words in hyper linked. More the chances of your site getting indexed. 
3. It should contain the benefit. It should reflect what it contains.
4. Clever word combination. But no confusing terms or distracting terms.
5. Never mind to register multiple domains. When you are in business domain names are your brands. Protect them just like your IP and TM.  Look for misspelled words. Protect misleading words. A well known hosting company Blue color hosting registered a name called “theirname”hostsucks.com Never mind in spending few dollars a year when you can protect your business interest.
6. Avoid numbers in your domain name unless it reflect what you do. UK2host.com is the best example. Numbers do make difference. Use it if you can brand it.

Websites that can Help you,

• DomainsBot – You can type in multiple keywords and the tool will suggest lots of combinations and similiar phrases. It will also tell you what domains are available. A real time saver!

• Domain Suggestions
• NameTumbler
• Domain Name After Market at www.tdnam.com
• Sitepoint , DigitalPoint, DNForum WebmasterWorld and Namepros
• PhraseFinder to find the word phrase
• Check domain name availablity and book in Click Here

Above listed tips are only some of them. Many more tips will be added in future posts.

ALSO READ:

http://hexablogs.com/hosting/easy-steps-to-choose-a-web-host-hosting-tips/

http://hexablogs.com/blogging/custom-domain-with-blogger-expert-tips/

http://hexablogs.com/hosting/your-web-presence-need-more-than-freebies/

http://hexahost.com/blogs/hexa-blogs/blogging-in-your-own-domain-name-hexa-blogs/

http://hexablogs.com/hosting/where-is-my-webhosting-provider/

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There are about 50,000 web hosting providers to serve 50 Million registered domain names. Almost half of them are resellers, and web site developers. Rather than searching for the Best one choosing a right one to host your web site is a smart deal. Big providers like Godaddy, Blue host, hostgator, host monster, uk2webhost and etc do business in big volumes. Identifying the best from them understanding about how they work is so easy. Simple search on “hosting provider+review” will fetch enough results to follow. They will confuse you with both +ve and -ve results.

Follow my advice to choose a provider based merits and your need.

1. If you are new to web hosting, all you need is personalized support. Can big players offer this ? Will they get in to your site after few months and provide suggestions like features x,y,z will give better appeal. Ask yourself.
2. If you are a Blogger concentrate on writing than maintaining. Choose new entrants who can help you with personalized support. Who can suggest a platform, Theme, widget, plug-in and most importantly SEO.
3. Do they have one click application installer utilities like fantastico ? A new entrant will have tough time without this.
4. Do they have proper control panel to support your hosting, domain names, sub-domain, email, database, backup. Cpanel is the best.
5. Do they have a easy site building tool, This will be very useful for people who do not want to use CMS. RV site builder and RVskins will be handy to have.
6. Test the speed of a host’s network to your location by clicking start > run > type in “command” enter, and then type “ping hostdomainname.com” wait for it to finish and look for the average ping. The lower the number the better, and chances are the faster your site will load. Any number averaging around an 80 would be good. Anything over 100 is very bad except, of course, if the host is based in another country.
7. Get e-mail through the domain name of your website. It’s best to go with a host that provides unlimited auto responders, pop mailboxes, email aliases etc. These services are needed to stay in touch with your visitors, potential customers and indeed your past customers in the hope of back end sales. Using your_name@your_website_name.com also looks more professional and official.
8. Reliability. How reliable is a web hosting company? Most claim 99.9% uptime, but due to the nature of computers and communications equipment, outages will and do occur occasionally. You can contact a company and ask, but they will tell you they’re very reliable. Instead, ask for a couple of sites they currently host, that you can check out for yourself.
   Not only will you see that the site is available, it gives you the opportunity to see how well they perform during peak periods too.
9. Make transactions with a secure server with https:// capability because your potential customers will expect it. Security is of paramount importance to your customer. Visitors who are concerned about the insecurity to their plastic will never become customers.
10. Read TOS, and other policies. Look for assurances like 30 Day Money back guarantee, Uptime guarantee, resolution time

NOTE: Do not get in to Reseller hosting and suffer. Go to a proper hosting provider who talks about his infrastructure.

In my view use 30 Day money back guarantee offered by hosting providers. Test as much as youcan before deciding upton the long term relation. Do take plans for more than 1 Year. hosting is all about short tem option. look before you leap. I trust Hexahost.

Hosting provider i suggest are Hexahost, Godaddy, hostgator and blue host.

HAPPY HOSTING!

OTHER ARTICLES YOU MUST READ:

http://hexablogs.com/hosting/where-is-my-webhosting-provider/

http://hexablogs.com/internet/internet-speed-is-not-a-rocket-science/

http://hexablogs.com/hosting/your-web-presence-need-more-than-freebies/

http://www.hexahost.com/blog_hosting.htm

http://www.hexahost.com/hexablogs.htm

http://www.webhost2go.com/

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