Hardware and performance

people are using different flavors of Linux and Windows.

Usually for windows, it requires bit more  memory, most cases I have seen are using CentOS 64-Bit, as this operating system is widely available with 95%+ of webhosts. (This doesnt means it wont work on any other O/S).

If you are keeping database as MySQL, then Linux, if MS-SQL, then Windows.

If you have a free choice then Linux will be much easier to configure and gives you more bang for your hardware. However, the overriding consideration if often what you can support.

Server Linuxes these days are generally 64 bit. Only consider using one of the "mainstream" distributions (e.g. Ubuntu, Centos) as you will then have the benefit of lots of other people's experience.

Hi Reggie,

It doesn't matter. Use the one you best know.

Reggie,

The best OS to use is the one that you and your IT group (if you have one) know the most about, are most comfortable with, and can troubleshoot the best.

I currently work in a Windows shop so I use Windows 2008 Datacenter Server as my OS.  The last company I worked for was a Solaris shop so I used the servers that they provided me (Sparcs running a version of Solaris that I can't remember right now.)

It's well and fine to say Linux or Unix are the best to use as far as performance goes (which I believe is true.) But it does absolutely nothing except add a steeper learning curve and a lot more frustration to use an OS that you know nothing about. It can be done but I don't recommend it when you are just starting out.

HTH

Scott