For those not familiar with web hosting's user interface, it's essentially web based. With Linux hosting there's only a couple common interfaces and then a couple options inside that. You're not so much buying WEB hosting as you're buying internet connected computer resources. How you use those resources is up to you. Most hosting companies use preconfigured software packages that can be installed through their web interface, you pick which ones you want to use. These days that list can be huge and covers everything from really basic stuff to fully featured commercial packages you'd have to pay for a license to use. You can also install things manually, use it as cloud storage, just about anything net related.
The hosting will offer the ability to setup email addresses, file transfers, view statistics, promote your web sites, control access, add security features... It's similar to the control panel for your computer, but web based and dedicated to your hosting account. The main difference between Linux and Windows based hosting is that microsoft likes to do things their own way and there are some proprietary tricks that require Windows based hosting to make work. Other than that, the interface is a bit different, and there are more freeware software packages for Linux hosting, but for basic web hosting it doesn't matter. Unless you need Windows hosting, don't bother, if you don't know if you do, you don't.
The hosting will offer the ability to setup email addresses, file transfers, view statistics, promote your web sites, control access, add security features... It's similar to the control panel for your computer, but web based and dedicated to your hosting account. The main difference between Linux and Windows based hosting is that microsoft likes to do things their own way and there are some proprietary tricks that require Windows based hosting to make work. Other than that, the interface is a bit different, and there are more freeware software packages for Linux hosting, but for basic web hosting it doesn't matter. Unless you need Windows hosting, don't bother, if you don't know if you do, you don't.