Tzafrir
There are 3 questions - technology, license and fit
1. there are applications that require technology (like triggers and subqueries) that dont exist in MySQL - for example
if you want to mgirate from MS SQL to an Open Source database you will have to reengineer the application.
2. if you want to distribute a closed-src application with a DB then BSD is preferable since it allows free use within clsd src, MySQL will require a commercial license and money changing hands
"Commercially licensed customers get commercially supported product with assurances from MySQL. Commercially licensed users are also free from the requirement of making their own application open source."
see http://www.mysql.com/company/legal/licensing/
3. "fit" is relative to the client and application - MySQL does have a huge install base but its mostly lightweight PHP web sites or Jboss where all the application logic is in the middle tier
if you need someone to help you setup a MySQL 5 cluster - there arent too many people out there - MySQL wants your business directly for that stuff.
MySQL is leveraging the community for peer support of the low revenue, high maintenance nudnik users and keeping more lucrative customers to themselves
by offering more advanced versions like 5.0 in a commercially supported model that appeals to large organizations.
IMHO - the same model that Sourcefire is using with Snort.
danny
Tzafrir Cohen wrote:
On Wed, Mar 30, 2005 at 06:39:34PM +0200, Danny Lieberman wrote:
guys and gals
here's a "great" reason to buy a MySQL license.
A prospective client told me he was choosing MySQL over Postgres and Firebird for a system application that bundles a db because:
a) "MySQL has the most market share "
b) "We spoke to MySQL and they told us that they will give us legal defense against license infringements"
License infringements by who? What license? Are we talking about
copyright? Patents? Trademarks?
Any specific guarantee?
I can't find anything about this in their site.
BTW: a quote from the mysql site: http://www.mysql.com/company/legal/licensing/faq.html
| With a commercial license option, is MySQL still an "open source" | company?
| Yes, MySQL is still an open source company and is completely committed | to the open source values and philosophy. We believe the open source | model of development and distribution is the most efficient way to | produce high-quality software. All MySQL software is offered under both | open source and commercial license terms.
They distribute free software indeed: GPL is GPL. However calling their developemnt model "opn source" is a bit of a stretch: Is there any external development of MySQL done outside of MySQL AB?
| Are other companies using the dual licensing business model?
| | Yes, the dual licensing business model is becoming increasingly popular
| among open source companies as it paves the way for long-term financial
| viability. Other companies that offer dual licensing include Digium,
| OSAF, MandrakeSoft, Sleepycat Software, Technical Pursuit, Trolltech,
| and others.
Let's look at this list carefully:
Digium (Asterisk), Sleepycat (Berkely DB), Trolltech (QT): They are right.
Technical Persuit: Never heard of them before. Their licesne, though OSI-approved, seems a bit non-free to me.
MandrakeSoft: No, here the model is different.
AFAIK, Mandrake don't try to do all the development in-house. And they
make a large amount of their profits by
OSAF: Hey, they've just released 0.5 today! Maybe something will happen there
afterall.
Anyway, see also
http://wiki.osafoundation.org/bin/view/Chandler/ChandlerLicensingPlan .
As for MySQL's license:
I dunno - this sounds like a protection racket to me - after all they created the exposure with their dual license policy.
That depends on what license violation they talk about.
I gently told the prospect that:
a) Support is a core produce for FOSS consultants and plenty of them out there to support both mysql and postgres
b) dont buy because of mkt share - buy because of functionality and fit and support
Market share is a factor: There are many existing programs that work well with MySQL and generally more people with MySQL exprince than with firebird exprince.
-- Danny Lieberman Visit us at http://www.software.co.il Office + 972 8 970-1485 Cell + 972 54 447-1114
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