Well, it looks like Microsoft came out with the new Windows Home Server. It's based off of Windows Server 2003. Finally there is an OS with a fully functional, unrestricted IIS service that's priced close to XP-Pro and Vista, around $180 to $200.

 

Then there is Pablo's Q-n-E web server that costs around $40 or $50 bucks and can run on of any Windows operating system.

 

Then there is Linux (free) with PHP (free) and Apache (free) that can run on a linux, unix, sun or Windows box.

 

I am pretty fed-up with Gates and Microsoft, making the unrestricted IIS service exclusive only to Windows Server operating systems for about 10 years now. Because of this choice, a very good percentage of the consumer, IT and developement population chose to use either Linux with Apache web server and PHP support, or load PHP and Apache (or some other web server software) on windows boxes, because that was the only alternative for having an inexpensive web server at home or in a small business without paying an arm and a leg and your first born for a Windows Server box. Not to mention most of the web hosting companies offering to host sites on Linux or Unix boxes with Apache and usually at a cost less than hosting on a Windows box.

 

I've used Pablo's Q-n-E server on and off for a little over 2 years now. It's simple, user friendly, intuitive, affordable ---yet not all ASP scripts that were coded and tested in IIS work with it. Yet, the Q-n-E web server is the only affordable ASP friendly alternative to IIS.

 

So here is my question. Would it be at all possible for ASP script developers, like  WWG, to be willing to code ASP products that are Q-n-E friendly?

 

I know IIS service in windows servers, being the only platform that functionally hosts ASP, has become the only defacto functional standard to code by, yet it is because of this reason PHP scripts have become so popular and functional on any box with PHP.

 

With the recent introduction of Windows Home Server to the home consumer market, a small part of me wants to flip Bill the birdy and say "too little, too late, (type expletive here)".

 

From a cost benefit standpoint, I can see how one can reason that coding for IIS is more profitable because people willing to and able to afford a windows server would also most likely be willing to afford and pay for your ASP products.

 

At the same time, IIS, ASP and ASP.NET has always lagged behind Apache/PHP in market share, because Bill was and still is a (type expletive here). Therefore, wouldn't coding scripts compatible with both IIS and Q-n-E somehow, sort of level the playing field as well as expand the niche market you are trying to sell your products to?

UPDATE:

 

Hi there.

 

Remember the post above, where I was crying my heart out because some of not most of the asp scripts did not work well with Pablo's Quick n Easy Web Server?

 

Well at the time, I thought Pablo's QnE was the only asp alternative to IIS. Turns out, there are other alternatives out there, but they are not easy to find. If you google "ASP web server", you will find Pablo is listed at the top or near the top of the search result. All or most of the other links are for external hosting and/or coding forums. BUT...the alternatives are there. That is ---if your are willing to Google all night, read endless forums and scream expletives at the top of your lungs long enough.

 

Well, during the screaming part, I discovered the Abyss Web Server. It appears to be more popular than Apache. In addition, it can be configured to process ASP, ASP.NET, PHP, etc...and its FREE.

 

After reading all the supporting marketing documentation, turns out a little configuration is in order to make Abyss ASP-functional, and it requires ActiveHTML to be installed.

 

Abyss is not as simple as IIS or Pablo's QnE, but it has great documentation. Once and if its done correctly, I swear it works with WWG's old Journal script, old News script, Polls and the current version of Forums. Definately it is better than Pablo's QnE web server.

 

Here are the price comparisons.

 

Pablo's Quick-N-Easy web server: $29.95 for full, unrestricted version.

Works with all or most ASP scripts?: NO

 

IS 5.0 on Windows 2000 server discs: on Ebay, under $100 bucks.

Works with all or most ASP scripts?: YES

.NET?: YES

 

IIS 6.0 on Windows 2003 server discs for small business or web edition: On Ebay, from $10 up to $2,500

Works with all or most ASP scripts?:YES

.NET?: YES

 

Abyss Web Server (free) w/ ActiveHTML: $44.86

Works with all or most ASP scripts?: YES

.NET?: YES

 

Finally, a light at the end of the tunnel...