Linux Hosting

UNIX was developed in 1969 by Bell Labs. The system, designed to be portable, multitasking, and multi-user, was a standard setter in time-sharing configuration. This system is proprietary, or owned by a company. This was very important to individuals who were trying to open up the use of computers and computer technology. UNIX-like are systems that resemble UNIX, but can be used, adapted, and redistributed for “free.” Linux is part of one such system.

GNU Project

The goal of the GNU Project, started in 1983 by Richard Stallman, was to develop a system that was based solely on free software. By 1992, the GNU Project was almost completed except for a kernel, or a piece of software that facilitates communication between the hardware and software of a system.

Linux

In 1991, Linus Torvalds started to develop a kernel that was Unix-like. Originally called Freax, Linux was the necessary component to complete the GNU Project.

GNU General Public License

The GNU General Public License covers the Linux kernel and much of the other software used in the GNU Project. Proprietary software licenses usually only allow end users to use a given piece of software on a given number of computers. On the other side of the coin, there are “permissive” free software licenses, such as the BSD License, which have very few restrictions. The GNU General Public License is in between proprietary and “permissive” licenses. The GNU General Public License uses “copyleft” to make sure that any users that adapt or modify the system agree to grant copyleft rights to their work so other users can freely change or improve their versions.

Advantages of Linux

Besides the involved licensing costs, which can offer great savings, Linux has several advantages over Microsoft Windows. For example, Linux can be used with hardware that will not support later Window upgrades. Linux is also inherently resistant to viruses.

Linux Hosting

Web hosting is the business of maintaining a website. Web hosting companies offer plans which cover connectivity and storage as well as other related services.

A Linux host uses the Linux system instead of a proprietary system such as Microsoft Windows. A reputable Linux host should be profitable and stable. It is important to know how long the Linux host has been in business. Does the Linux host have the ability to handle peak traffic volumes? Is their hardware adequate? If there is a problem, does the Linux host have twenty-four hour support? How long does it take the host to respond to a question? Does the Linux host have several Net connections for your protection? What kind of storage does the Linux host's plan offer? These are among the many important questions that should go into the decision of choosing a Linux host.

By Laura Evans