Compare Plans

What are the advantages and disadvantages of each platform?

Linux

• Advantages: Typically Linux plans provide the most bang for the buck. Utilizing an open-source operating system and open-source languages such as PHP, you can create low-cost, portable websites which are a little more time consuming to maintain, but functional.
  
• Disadvantages: Open-source software can drastically change from version to version, as there is no real "master plan" in place to provide direction.

Windows

• Advantages: Windows is the only platform that fully supports ASP and ASP.NET technologies. Windows has gained in popularity due to its ease of programming and maintenance, especially from other Windows-based developers. Windows is owned by Microsoft corporation, and their technologies are likely to be around for many generations.
  
• Disadvantages: With Windows there is the added expense of Microsoft licenses. Typically Windows servers need to be rebooted/reset more frequently then their Linux counterparts.

ColdFusion MX

• Advantages: ColdFusion is a designer-friendly programming platform created strictly for developing data driven web applications. Our ColdFusion servers are Linux-based therefore many of the same advantages of Linux also apply.
  
• Disadvantages: ColdFusion is now owned by Macromedia and not subject to any programming standards. ColdFusion never really gained major popularity, partly due to its high cost, though some developers swear by it. The extended outlook for this platform is questionable, but for the time being it remains one of the best, even if its not the most popular.