WEB4LIB digest 223

[JQ Johnson]

Kevin Justie asks about Mac models for web servers.  I concur with
other postings that hit rate is not important.  One thing that is
CRITICAL, though, is the quality of the web server software.  There is
active competition between WebStar and NetPresenz (nee ftpd) in this
area (the free MacHTTP is no longer a serious contender), and WebStar
seems a pretty clear winner for CGI apps at the moment.  For example,
see this week's MacWeek (p. 1) for a discussion of Quarterdeck's plans
for the next version of WebStar, mostly changes designed to boost
performance of CGI apps.

I tend to disagree with the "buy a fast box" recommendation, though.
It's fairly easy to partition web servers into several servers, so one
should seriously consider multiple slower machines rather than one
wicked-fast one.  Low end Macs are very cheap at the moment, making it
possible to put together a complete system based on a 7100/80 or
7200/75 for under $2000 including software.

 JQ Johnson                       office: 115F Knight Library
 Academic Education Coordinator   Internet: jqj at darkwing.uoregon.edu
 1299 University of Oregon        voice: 541.346.1746
 Eugene, OR  97403-1299           fax: 541.346.3485