Don't mix politics and computers
Out of curiosity and boredom I've compiled this list of 2004 election campaign web sites with their vital stats from Netcraft. Analysis follows:
| Campaign Site | Operating System | Web Server |
|---|---|---|
| www.deanforamerica.com | FreeBSD | Apache/1.3.12 (Unix) mod_ssl/2.6.5 OpenSSL/0.9.6e ApacheJServ/1.1.2 mod_fastcgi/2.2.10 |
| www.johnkerry.com | Linux | Apache/1.3.27 (Unix) (Red-Hat/Linux) FrontPage/5.0.2.2623 mod_python/2.7.8 Python/1.5.2 mod_ssl/2.8.12 OpenSSL/0.9.6b DAV/1.0.3 PHP/4.1.2 mod_perl/1.26 mod_throttle/3.1.2 |
| www.kucinich.us | Linux | Apache/1.3.27 (Unix) PHP/4.3.1 mod_ssl/2.8.14 OpenSSL/0.9.6b |
| www.joe2004.com | FreeBSD | Apache/1.3.12 (Unix) mod_ssl/2.6.5 OpenSSL/0.9.6e ApacheJServ/1.1.2 mod_fastcgi/2.2.10 |
| www.dickgephardt2004.com | Windows 2000 | Microsoft-IIS/5.0 |
| www.johnedwards2004.com | Windows 2000 | Microsoft-IIS/5.0 |
| www.grahamforpresident.com | Linux | Apache/1.3.27 (Unix) FrontPage/5.0.2.2634 |
| www.al2004.org | Solaris 8 | Apache/1.3.27 (Unix) FrontPage/5.0.2.2623 |
| www.moseley-braun.org | FreeBSD | Apache/1.3.26 (Unix) ApacheJServ/1.1.2 mod_webapp/1.2.0-dev PHP/4.1.2 mod_ssl/2.8.10 OpenSSL/0.9.6g |
| www.georgewbush.com | Windows 2000 | Microsoft-IIS/5.0 |
As you can see, most candidates are using open source solutions for hosting their content. Front-runner Howard Dean's site uses a Java back end, which shows he's not afraid to tackle complicated issues -- like installing Java on Unix. Also, his use of FreeBSD reflects the robustness and tight organization of his campaign.
John Kerry, on the other hand, has opted for Red-Hat Linux with a multitude of Apache modules. The choice of linux foreshadows a fragmented, disjointed, frustrating campaign, while his inclusion of FrontPage, python, PHP, and Perl modules proves that he can't make up his mind about anything.
Dennis Kucinich also uses Linux for his campaign site, but what's this .us domain? He receives extra credit for having a .us site (although I guess those aren't as special as they used to be). Other than that, it's a plain Linux server running PHP. Yeah, he's a boring candidate.
Although Joe Lieberman is quick to criticize Dean, the two candidates apparently agree on their choice of hosting provider and, consequently, software. It's clear to see that Lieberman continues to attempt to play catch-up with Dean. He's betting heavily that his brand of "me-too", Republican-lite politics will help him win the nomination. Unfortunately for Joe, we don't live in Bizarro World.
John Edwards and Dick Gephardt are both using Windows. Their campaigns are obviously doomed to failure if they rely on Microsoft products.
Bob Graham sports a spartan Linux server with FrontPage extensions (bleh!) while Al Sharpton mixes it up with a Solaris box. Now we know where all of Sharpton's campaign budget is going.
Carol Moseley-Braun's site uses an Apache module called mod_webapp. It sounds interesting, but not interesting enough to care about. Kind of like her campaign.
And of course, we have the incumbent George W. Bush's site which runs on Windows. Do we need any more evidence that he's evil?
And this is weird. In October of 2000, Bush's site was hosted by a company called Illuminati Online. See:
Linux Apache/1.3.12 (Unix) PHP/3.0.16 6-Oct-2000 206.224.90.149 Illuminati Online
Need I say more?