I don’t know why anyone would consider Oracle, except in specific circumstances. I’ve found SQL Server to be far more nimble and dependable for projects in the multi-million record range.
SQL Server, as in MS SQL Server? Last time I checked, it don’t run on Linux, and FR is a Linux shop.
Oh, absolutely. And Microsoft has some very generous Developer programs where you can get their software (full blown-- not limited versions) at little or no cost.
I own/run a bunch of database-driven web sites and would have to agree with you, especially for something as simple as a forum.
Also, speaking of forums, FR needs a serious functional upgrade to include such standard features as post formatting, editing, object insertion, emoticons, etc. These are basic capabilities that are extremely easy to implement.
For a forum I run (off road truck related) we were not able to import the legacy database into the new (Access vs. SQL for the new) and instead had to start off with a clean database when upgrading our technology. For a year or so, we maintained the legacy forum as read-only then had to drop it when the dual database became too expensive plus the obsolete software was ill supported and we couldn't fix it when it broke. While the loss of the legacy was initially an issue to our members, the issue faded as we moved forward.