OSS Ping
MySQL Community Edition (the version that the Enterprise Edition is based on) is GPL software. Sun can't make it not free.
Sun thinks it can do a better job of selling support than MySQL AB has done and it puts Sun in a position to compete with Oracle.
MySQL isn't up to handling the upper end of enterprise database needs but it can certainly take care of most LAMP and web services database needs. This is where Sun sees an opportunity.
But MySQL will stay free. If Sun has other ideas the source can be forked and MySQL will get a new name but it will still be available.
Considering how Sun has opened up the source code to Solaris and Java, I doubt we'll see Sun even try to close up MySQL.
I’ve been meaning to check out SQLite for a while. Now that Sun has bought MySQL, I’ll be doing that soon. There’s also Postgres, which has had a terrific reputation for a long time.
I’ll miss MySQL, which has served me well for years. But in the years I’ve been working with Solaris, I’ve come to think of Sun as an annoying Microsoft wannabe who does not deserve my support. Linux is better.
They always cancel the TV shows I like. And Fred dropped out of the presidential race. No use crying over it. Just look at the options that remain.
Powder..patch..ball FIRE!
I just finished a Mysql 5.0 database conversion to Sql Server 2005.
Man am I happy not to be using Mysql any more.