Linux is a derivative of UNIX which is much more flexible than its predecessor.
It is based on the same basic architecture, and tends to be very stable and secure.
Linux can be run on a large variety of hardware, and is constantly being developed and improved.
There are many distributions available, most of which can freely be downloaded from the Internet at no charge.
PHP, one of the main staples of Internet Programming at this time, is currently best suited for the Linux platform.
Linux is an operating system that was initially created as a hobby by a young student, Linus Torvalds, at the University of Helsinki in Finland. Linus had an interest in Minix, a small UNIX system, and decided to develop a system that exceeded the Minix standards. He began his work in 1991 when he released version 0.02 and worked steadily until 1994 when version 1.0 of the Linux Kernel was released. The kernel, at the heart of all Linux systems, is developed and released under the GNU General Public License and its source code is freely available to everyone. It is this kernel that forms the base around which a Linux operating system is developed. There are now literally hundreds of companies and organizations and an equal number of individuals that have released their own versions of operating systems based on the Linux kernel. The current full-featured version is 2.6 (released December 2003) and development continues.
Apart from the fact that it's freely distributed, Linux's functionality, adaptability and robustness, has made it the main alternative for proprietary Unix and Microsoft operating systems. IBM, Hewlett-Packard and other giants of the computing world have embraced Linux and support its ongoing development. More than a decade after its initial release, Linux is being adopted worldwide as a server platform primarily. Its use as a home and office desktop operating system is also on the rise.
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Recommended Linux Web Hosts*
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Apollo
From $6.97/Mo Free Setup For 1Yr+ Signup
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50GB Diskspace 500GB Bandwidth 500 Email Accts
Host 20 Websites (Unlimited with Higher priced packages)
Ruby on Rails PHP Perl
SSH (Limited)
Mambo Site Builder Content Management System
Google AdWords $25 Coupon Free Web Content
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Editor's Pick 2006 - Hosting Review
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midPhase
$7.95/Mo Free Setup
Highlights: 750GB Diskspace 7500GB Data Transfer Unmetered Email Accts
FREE Domain Name for Life Up to 20 Domains per Account
Python Perl PHP 24/7 Phone & Email Support
phpMyChat Agora Cart 1 MySql Database
osCommerce Paypal Support Website Builder
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WebHost Magazine Editor's Choice Award
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Hostgator
$7.95/Mo Free Setup
Highlights: 99.9% Uptime Guarantee
600GB Disk Space 6000GB Bandwidth Unlimited Email Accounts Unlimited Domains Unlimited MySQL Databases
PHP 4 & 5 FrontPage Ruby On Rails Perl Agora Cart Zen Cart Cube Cart
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"Webhost Magazine Highest Level of Recommendation"
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Bluehost
$7.95/Mo Free Setup
Highlights: Unlimited Disk Space Unlimited Site Transfer 2500 Email Accts
CGI, Ruby, Perl, PHP Unlimited Domains 100 MySql DBs
Free Domain
24/7 Customer Support
OS Commerce Shopping Cart
Agora Shopping Cart
Cube Cart Shopping Cart
Zen Cart Shopping Cart
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Best Customer Server and #2 Overall Host - Web Hosting Review
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HostRocket
As low as $5.99/Mo Setup fees apply
Highlights: 1000GB Diskspace Unlimited Data Transfer Unlimited Email Accts
24/7 live technical support 10 websites/acct + add a new site every month
Perl 5 PHP 5 MySql 5 (up to 10 databases)
Fantastico
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"Just wanted to say that Host Rocket is by far the best hosting solution out there. Big thumbs up to you guys. My site is always running fast and I have yet to experiance any downtime" - HostRocket customer
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LunarPages
$6.95/Mo Free Setup
Highlights: 1500GB Diskspace 15,000GB Data Transfer Unlimited Email Accts
Unlimited Domains & Subdomains Unlimited MySql PHP Perl Python
24/7 Award Winning Support
osCommerce Shopping Cart Cube Shopping Cart Zen Cart Shopping Cart
Fantastico
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Editor's Choice Award Winner - Web Host Magazine
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InMotion
$6.95/Mo Free Setup For 1Yr+ Signup
Highlights: Unlimited Diskspace Unlimited Bandwidth 20 Email Accts
Host 2-16 sites Free Domain PHP Perl Python MySql
Mambo and Joomla
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Top Business Host Award 2008 - Top 10 Web Hosting
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*Prices and features reflect the lower or lowest end hosting packages. Please checkout hosting links above for more information.