What is Web Hosting?

Web hosting is a technology service that allows you to safely store information on computers with permanent connections to the Internet, so people can access your information anytime from any computer that is connected to the internet through a web browser such as Internet Explorer or Netscape.

What is the difference between shared and dedicated hosting?

Vividign offers both shared and dedicated hosting solutions.

If you purchase a shared hosting package, it means you are renting some space on a server which is divided into sections, called partitions, each used by a different customer. Shared hosting is ideal for those just starting out online or who only need to host a basic 'brochure' site because the server is managed and maintained for you by the host company in a cost-effective and affordable manner.

When you require more control or flexibility, then you should consider dedicated hosting. Dedicated hosting means you have an entire server all to yourself - you don't share it with anyone. You can load any kind of application you require such as e-commerce payment engines or database applications. You can control the levels of security too because you can choose to add extra features which are not available on Shared Hosting. For example you decide whether your server is protected by a firewall and how often your data is backed up, if at all. Unless you take up a managed solution or a more comprehensive service level agreement, you are fully responsible for the maintenance of your dedicated server so you will require some technical expertise or resources... and it certainly costs a lot more than shared hosting.

What is the difference between Linux and Windows?

Linux and Windows are two different types of operating system - the brain of your computer or server.

Windows is developed and sold by Microsoft, and is required if your website is either built using a Microsoft application such as ASP or will run Microsoft applications like Microsoft Access or Microsoft SQL database.

Linux is known as an open-source application, which means that it can be freely distributed. Web developers and computer programmers prefer it because it's very flexible and cheap too! Many websites are created using open-source development applications so they can run on Linux servers.

You decision will probably depend on the platform you are most familiar with. At the end of the day, the result is essentially the same - Windows and Linux just give you different ways of creating your website.