I only have a personal site promoting myself. Currently my site is on free space that came with my broadband. I want to have a little go at dynamic and the free space I get doesnt provide this.
I think I found a host website that looks good. A bit that is confusing me is that it is asking wheather I want a windows server or a linux server. I have read the differences but as I'm only just getting into the dynamic side of things. I don't understand which is better for me.
Is there any chance any one that understands all this could take a quick look and tell me wheather linux or windows server is better for a dynamic beginner and weather the price is a good one for what you get?

http://www.streamlinenet.co.uk/pu.php = the server

ps - I have a mac if that is any help.
thanks for anyhelp.

If the choice is just the windows or linux server it may end up depending more on which programming language and database you want to use. If you want to use asp or .net and mssql you have to use the windows server, but if you're thinking of using something like php and mysql then you can probably use either though typically people who go with php/mysql will opt for the linux side of things.

I prefer using linux/apache myself, but I don't think there's anything wrong with an IIS windows server.

As a beginner and I'm guessing someone not wanting to save on the money at first the php/mysql option on a linux server running apache might be the better option since both php and mysql won't cost you anything to use other than the hosting itself.

Windows hosting is often a bit more expensive than Linux because the host has to pay licences fees to Microsoft. Personally I stick to Unix/Linux because it gives you a bit more flexibility with what you want to do (ie more 3rd party scripts available).

I would stay clear of streamlinenet. Former named streamline I think.

The have bad reviews from over 3 years ago and still to this day bad reviews,
I can't find much but here are a few:

http://webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?t=268230
http://webhostingtalk.com/showthread...hreadid=267569
http://webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?t=209122
http://webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?t=363866
http://webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?t=317039

A good host will provide you with exactly what you want no need for freebees,
unlimited disk space

Thanks Duport for that advice. thoughs comments by upset customers seems a bit worrying. I'll have a little look around. I need a UK based web host.
Of what i've read. PHP is best for me because i have a mac. So i would have to choose a linux server for this as I understand.
Can anyone clarify what this statment means reagarding linux servers. "Linux is by default, text-based and does not use a graphical user interface (GUI)" I this anything that I have to interact with.

If you need a very good UK host have a look at www.clook.co.uk - check out some hosting forums for reviews on them.

Jason the text-based default of linux shouldn't affect you at all. There will be graphical user interfaces for you in the way you need to interact with the server. Any lack of graphics is something that the people administering the server will deal with and more than likely that's how they'll prefer to ineract with the server.

Your hosting account should come with some kind of control panel to allow you manage your account more easily.

I've been looking a for a web host for the past 2 days now. Steamline or dataflame seem the 2 best so far. Although I have come across a few bad reviews. (i'm looking for a uk based webhost) and streamline's 13.99 + free domain a year seems too good to be true.
Is there any unbaised top 10 webhost sites out there? anyone. Its hard to tell wheather the numerus top 10 sites are being paid by the webhost or even if the reviews on some review sites are real or made by the actuel companies.
Mags and sites regarding the web never seem to give their recommendations out due to upsetting advertisers i recon.
I just want to choose one. I got a headache.

Try this site - has some unbiased reviews of UK based hosts - http://whreviews.com/

Thanks for all the help and suggestions. after comparing all the webhost I have chosen to go with either evohosting.co.uk or dataflame.co.uk tomorrow some time. If anyone knows anything bad or good about either one can they tell me asap please. thanks.