Linux/Unix is an open source operating system that is being adopted by a large number of businesses and organisations. The Linux/Unix-based platform is a stable platform and is well respected in the computer industry.

Linux was created by Linus Torvalds as an alternative to other operating systems. Most versions of Linux are free of charge. The most popular Linux software is Red Hat and Mandrake.

Linux/Unix was only for professionals until a few years ago but the situation has changed. Many organisations and small businesses have switched to the Linux/Unix platform because of its open source architecture, meaning that users can change the program so that it suits their own needs.

Many web hosts are specializing in Linux/Unix servers and the demand for this type of interface has grown by 40% recently.  A Unix-based platform is one of the most reliable operating systems that you can ever have. It has a better up time than Microsoft operating systems, and hosting programs that reside on Linux/Unix are more adaptable. You actually can get more from a Linux/Unix based server than other servers on the market.

Linux/Unix supports a wide variety of application languages. The most languages include C, C++, Shell, Perl, Tcl, Python, Java and PHP.  Databases available for Unix include mSQL and mySQL. The one that you choose would depend on what you plan to do on the web and the host that you choose to park your web site.

Linux/Unix will become a even more important in the future as more small to medium businesses turn towards its hosting platform.

There are several web sites and forums available so that you can find out more about Linux/Unix and web hosting in general. One such site is Web Hosting and Domains. Articles on these web sites range from Wordpress plugins to article marketing.