Tag Archives: servers
The Disadvantages of Windows Hosting
Windows hosting certainly has its advantages; it’s easy to use, and is compatible with Microsoft Access, Microsoft Frontpage, .NET and Visual Basic. However, there are some disadvantages to Windows hosting, too. While this doesn’t necessarily mean you shouldn’t use a Windows hosting package, there are significant drawbacks to using one that you will need to know about before you choose. Let’s take a look at some of the best advantages that come with using a Windows hosting package; then, you’ll be able to make an informed decision.
Instability
Unfortunately, Windows is not as stable as, for example, UNIX. Therefore, if you are planning on running Windows instead of UNIX, you can count on having some downtime, perhaps significant. Most Windows servers will have some issues, because the platform itself is not particularly stable. If at all possible, it’s much more desirable from a stability standpoint to go with UNIX.
Slow performance
UNIX servers run much more quickly than do Windows servers. Therefore, if you want your content to come up quickly, you’re better off using UNIX. The slowness of a Windows server relates to the programming, and it’s not something you can easily fix.
System resources hog
Unfortunately, most Windows servers use many more resources than servers running on UNIX do. This means you’ll need more RAM, more bandwidth, and more disk space, likely, which can cost you significantly more money than if you were to go with a UNIX server.
Frequent reboots
You’ll need to reboot your Windows server more often than you will your UNIX server, which can mean your site will be down significantly more than if it were run on UNIX.
Incompatibility with Perl and CGI
Perl or CGI applications can cause Windows compatibility issues. These were developed in UNIX, which means that many scripts are going to be incompatible as written and you’ll need to be able to work around them. Many Perl and CGI scripts do indeed function correctly on Windows, but you have to do some research to find them, and they’re not particularly common.
No SSH or Telnet administration
You won’t be able to administer your site using SSH or Telnet, since these are UNIX based. If you’re used to being able to do so, you’re out of luck if you decide to go with a Windows server.
No “free lunch”
Because Windows is not a platform that is free operating, your Windows hosting package will likely cost more than if it’s based in UNIX. Very few free applications will also run on Windows server, which means you’ll have significant out-of-pocket expenses, likely, because you’ll need to pay for applications you could get free with a UNIX server.
What do these disadvantages mean?
Do these disadvantages mean you shouldn’t use Windows hosting? Not necessarily, but you most certainly need to look at the drawbacks a Windows server will give you versus one that runs on UNIX — as well as the advantages.
If your website is relatively basic AND you use FrontPage and/or Microsoft Access on your website, then Windows hosting may indeed be your best fit. For anything more complicated than that, though (and if you don’t need the “perfect fit” that Windows hosting provides FrontPage or Microsoft Access users), consider going with UNIX instead. UNIX provides you so much more flexibility and stability that it’s well worth your time.
The Disadvantages of Windows Hosting
Windows hosting certainly has its advantages; it’s easy to use, and is compatible with Microsoft Access, Microsoft Frontpage, .NET and Visual Basic. However, there are some disadvantages to Windows hosting, too. While this doesn’t necessarily mean you shouldn’t use a Windows hosting package, there are significant drawbacks to using one that you will need to know about before you choose. Let’s take a look at some of the best advantages that come with using a Windows hosting package; then, you’ll be able to make an informed decision.
Instability
Unfortunately, Windows is not as stable as, for example, UNIX. Therefore, if you are planning on running Windows instead of UNIX, you can count on having some downtime, perhaps significant. Most Windows servers will have some issues, because the platform itself is not particularly stable. If at all possible, it’s much more desirable from a stability standpoint to go with UNIX.
Slow performance
UNIX servers run much more quickly than do Windows servers. Therefore, if you want your content to come up quickly, you’re better off using UNIX. The slowness of a Windows server relates to the programming, and it’s not something you can easily fix.
System resources hog
Unfortunately, most Windows servers use many more resources than servers running on UNIX do. This means you’ll need more RAM, more bandwidth, and more disk space, likely, which can cost you significantly more money than if you were to go with a UNIX server.
Frequent reboots
You’ll need to reboot your Windows server more often than you will your UNIX server, which can mean your site will be down significantly more than if it were run on UNIX.
Incompatibility with Perl and CGI
Perl or CGI applications can cause Windows compatibility issues. These were developed in UNIX, which means that many scripts are going to be incompatible as written and you’ll need to be able to work around them. Many Perl and CGI scripts do indeed function correctly on Windows, but you have to do some research to find them, and they’re not particularly common.
No SSH or Telnet administration
You won’t be able to administer your site using SSH or Telnet, since these are UNIX based. If you’re used to being able to do so, you’re out of luck if you decide to go with a Windows server.
No “free lunch”
Because Windows is not a platform that is free operating, your Windows hosting package will likely cost more than if it’s based in UNIX. Very few free applications will also run on Windows server, which means you’ll have significant out-of-pocket expenses, likely, because you’ll need to pay for applications you could get free with a UNIX server.
What do these disadvantages mean?
Do these disadvantages mean you shouldn’t use Windows hosting? Not necessarily, but you most certainly need to look at the drawbacks a Windows server will give you versus one that runs on UNIX — as well as the advantages.
If your website is relatively basic AND you use FrontPage and/or Microsoft Access on your website, then Windows hosting may indeed be your best fit. For anything more complicated than that, though (and if you don’t need the “perfect fit” that Windows hosting provides FrontPage or Microsoft Access users), consider going with UNIX instead. UNIX provides you so much more flexibility and stability that it’s well worth your time.
Useful Methods for Circumventing Internet Censors (Page 1 of 2)
Circumventing internet blocks and avoiding censors has become an important part of web surfing for many users. Censors can range from a restrictive government regime to a company or schools IT department and web surfers are always looking for a way to get through tight controls. Users need to maintain a certain level of privacy and anonymity when circumventing censors, especially since many companies will fire an employee for surfing, or in extreme cases a government can fine or imprison a web surfer for browsing on sites they deem to be inappropriate. Many products and services can be found to help users break free of stringent internet censors, allowing netizens to surf freely without the fear of oppressive bodies controlling their every movement. These products offer users unique ways to maintain their internet privacy and connect to the World Wide Web without any restrictions.
One of the ways users can circumvent blocks is with the Java Anon Proxy, commonly referred to as JonDo. This method allows users to choose which network to surf through. These networks are run by independent organizations. After a user chooses their network, the data stream is scrambled and mixed with other users data. This allows users to remain anonymous since anyone attempting to spy on or restrict the data flow is confused by the cluttered connection. Unlike TOR, the operators are not anonymous, which allows a user to decide which operators they will or will not trust with their information. A major drawback of this service is that all the operators, also known as mix cascades, can record their logs and compare them to reveal users online activities.
A second way users can outsmart censors is by using Psiphon. Psiphon is a web proxy that was directly created to circumvent the tight Internet censorship of countries such as China, Saudi Arabia, and Cuba. The traffic between clients and servers is encrypted with “https” as the data is being transferred. Psiphon is offers users the advantage of turning their computers into servers that can display web pages from anywhere. This proxy works over trusted connections as opposed to an open proxy which travels over untrusted networks. Users in countries with tight censorship can log in and send a request to a server located in another country to gain access to blocked websites. Users do not have to download any software, meaning no traces of circumventors are found on the hard drive. While Psiphon can gain access to censored content it does not act as an anonymizer and all the clients activities are logged in Psiphons servers, leaving it vulnerable to cyber attacks and hackers/crackers looking for information.
One of the most popular methods to access censored content is by using anonymous proxy servers, either in website form or software-based. These proxies are very common and can be found through the various search engines. Web-based proxies are very easy to implement, which attests to their abundance. While anonymous proxy sites are easy to block, the ease of creating new ones makes it a common go-to for surfers. Many surfers prefer to use the software-based proxy since it will usually offer more security features, such as encrypting the connection and also hiding the port and origin website of the surfer. Anonymous surfing software and websites allow a user to surf anonymously by redirecting their connection through a server which masks the real IP with one generated by the server. Private proxy servers will also rotate IP addresses and randomly refresh so that a user is not constantly surfing with the same IP address. This allows users facing strict censorship to mask their IP address with one from a different country, which will allow the user free reign to surf the Internet.