All our mission-critical applications are on Stronghold. However, for those companies that do not have a UNIX expert onsite may wish to look elsewhere as UNIX is not one of the easiest computer languages to learn. Alan Ferguson, owner of 5Line Communications, says he selected Mac-based WebStar servers from StarNine Technologies to use with Creek Walk, his Walnut Creek, CA, business directory site. In fact, while several Bay Area IIS users admit they use the product because it shipped with Windows NT Server, they say that is not the only reason they end up staying with it. Secondly, the Apache on Linux environment did not offer a complete solution up-front.
Security is another big issue that businesses consider.
If a customer does not feel secure with placing a transaction over the company's Web site, that company has probably lost a sale. Microsoft has done much work in security realm and has even teamed up with major credit card companies, such as San Francisco-based Visa International, to create online security specifications. UNIX and Mac users have also ballyhooed their systems' respective security features, which are especially critical for businesses planning to handle electronic commerce on their sites. These concerns however may be less of an issue for small businesses than large ones because of the difference in number of Web visitors each can expect to receive. Nonetheless, companies that hope to grow must keep these topics in mind.