Do you know what ASP, JSP, PHP, MySQL, and MSSQL stand for? Well, here’s a quick guide to help you out if you’re stuck, because defining web hosting terminology shouldn’t be as difficult as it often is!

ASP – (Active Server Pages) ASP is a Windows-based script that allows you to customize your website. It’s not necessary for personal webhosting, so if you’re not a programmer, odds are you can live without it. More often than not, ASP web hosting is more expensive than basic hosting.

CGI – (Common Gateway Interface) CGI is a very tiny script that allows data taken from website users to be processed on the server. CGI-bins are common in web hosting control panels so that you can store CGI scripts.

FrontPage – (Microsoft FrontPage Extensions) FrontPage is a web design tool developed and licensed by Microsoft. Many users prefer the ease of use in designing websites using FrontPage. FrontPage web hosting is very popular and affordable.

HTML – (HyperText Markup Language) HTML is a commonly-used phrase these days, and it’s nothing more than language you can learn and use to design and develop your website. HTML can make your text italic, show pictures, create line breaks, and even design borders, links, and play music.

JSP – (Java Server Pages) JSP is a scripting language similar to ASP in the tasks it can perform. JSP web hosting normally is more expensive, and if you are not into web programming, you do not need it.

SQL – (Standard Query Language) SQL is a protocol used to generate information requested from databases. The two most popular ways to utilize SQL is by using MySQL or MS SQL databases. They are both similar, and the main difference is that MS SQL is developed and licensed by Microsoft and works best with Windows Web Hosting.

XML – (Extensible Markup Language) XML is a language similar to HTML, which also allows for website design and development. XML is more for website programming than design and actually allows programmers to define its functions.

Along with shared and dedicated hosting, a few hosts also offer VPS hosting. Simply put, VPS hosting is a step between shared and dedicated. Instead of going really cheap and sharing a server with a few hundred people, or going really expensive and purchasing your own server, you can look for a Virtual Private Server, in which you would be sharing the server with a couple dozen other people. The server is partitioned with a specific software so that each client on the server receives an equal share of the server, and each client can see and deal with the server as though s/he was the only one on it. This is a good option if you have a large amount of outgoing email or a website that’s taking up more than the allowed CPU usage in the shared environment, but not enough to warrant the price of a dedicated server. Another reason for looking into a VPS is if you need root/shell access. Some of the best web hosts do not allow root access on their shared server as a security measure, so a VPS would be a good option.

VPS hosting can range from $20 to $80, depending on the company, the type of server, and the specs. Be sure to check out our growing list of hosts that offer VPS services!

As a novice website owner, you should definitely know the importance of Microsoft Frontpage Web Hosting, as it provides you with an easy and quick way to build a nice-looking website and upload it directly to your control panel for easy creation and implementation.

Frontpage is basically a What-You-See-is-What-You-Get (WYSIWYG) website editor that helps you create websites, design them, and even code them to some extent. In order to utilize the Frontpage Design system, your web host must have Frontpage extensions installed and offered, which most web hosts do these days.

Frontpage can assist you in website navigation by allowing you to see your file structure and make changes directly to it. It has built in assistance and features for HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, an image editor similar to other Microsoft products, easy implementation for advanced features like mouseovers, email forms, statistics counters, and more, is simple and incredibly similar to Microsoft Word or Office products, works alongside other Office programs like Word, Excel, and Access, supports ASP.NET web hosting, and includes even more advanced features like task assignment, support for Dreamweaver, and even automated website design templates.

Frontpage web hosting is a popular choice for new webmasters.

Since Linux Web Hosting and Windows Web Hosting are incredibly similar and there are only minor differences that you may not notice, what are some of the advantages to windows web hosting?

* Ease of use – Windows Web Hosting looks similar to your home computer! So if you like working with your computer, you’ll love the Microsoft Windows Hosting platform.

* Support from Microsoft – Just like on your home computer, Windows offers support for Windows Web Hosting.

* Microsoft Frontpage – If you have Frontpage on your home computer (most Windows users do), you can build your website easily and quickly, without the hassle of trying to find web design software or purchasing web design templates, etc.

If you’re a web hosting newbie, choosing a web hosting platform and operating system just sounds like gibberish. And really, do you need to choose? Which web hosting plan is best suited for your needs? Which best web hosting plan will accommodate personal websites, ecommerce web hosting, email web hosting, blog web hosting, or anything you decide to host?

The reality is, both Linux Web Hosting and Windows Web Hosting do the same things. You can host your website, create email accounts, host blogs (including WordPress), have multiple web hosting accounts, and do the exact same things.

So what’s the difference between Linux Web Hosting and Windows Web Hosting? Just the control panel and operating system – that’s it! So the only way you’d notice a real difference is if you are a programmer or have used a different system in the past. If you’re a new web hosting user, you can choose either. Most customers opt for a Linux Web Hosting plan, as they are most often cheaper, as the best web hosting company doesn’t have to pay Microsoft for the license to run Windows.