Nice! Long live MySQL!

I wonder how this will affect the global partnership between Sun and Oracle. Interesting is that Oracle is the owner of the InnoDB database engine in MySQL.

The beauty of open source is that if SUN's policy regarding mySQL is not favoured by the public, one perhaps can establish a spring-off project, like many non-commercial RedHat clones we have.

However, SUN's future today is a little bit messy -- they're trying to jump into every IT train almost gone. It's sad to see how this great company is struggling for market share...

>> However, SUN's future today is a little bit messy -- they're trying to jump into every IT train almost gone. It's sad to see how this great company is struggling for market share...

and that is the fear. They might try to mess around with the license to milk it, but then then, one can start a new project.

Ok, we are having trouble wrapping our mind around this here in this office.

Only 1% of users pay for MySQL, yet Sun bought it for a billion dollars.

How the heck did they come up with the price tag?

Is this a sign the latest tech bubble is about to burst because people are paying way too much for tech companies?

Hey TomWaits, I saw you perform last October near San Fran ... you were fantastic! You stole the show, good work ;-).

probablyin server sales? Maybe they'll get to bundle them even more now that they are the experts and market both as one.

"Want MySQL? It works better with Sun servers" or something similar.

I love MySQL, I just hope they don't screw it up or charge ridiculous amounts to buy it...let's hope for the best.

PS, Sun, my site is available for $.5B if you want to start talks!

;)

The price sounds like madness. Mysql has massive market share, but in terms of sales?

I think sun will want to be really pushing for mysql related paid services, almost seam to be going down the IBM road.

Mack.

Don't they sell support? There might be some revenue hidden in there. Not 1B worth... but something I would think.

Plus they are buying into the hearts of hundreds of thousands of sites around the world. Kind of like buying MySpace before it made money. I'm sure they will find a way to monetize it.

Take note! You read it first here on WebmasterWorld! MySQL 10.0 w/built-in Adsense ads! ;-)

Oh dear

I've just got into MySQL, hope this doesn't mean costs are going to go up to pay for this purchase

There are so many MySQL based apps there that, this is a frightning prospect

Take note! You read it first here on WebmasterWorld! MySQL 10.0 w/built-in Adsense ads! ;-)

I just hope not :)

But you might probably read: Sun admits it overpaid for Mysql, just like this thread: eBay Admits It Overpaid for Skype [webmasterworld.com]

The new trend seems to be - buy first and then admit you overpaid for something.

Yea, I wonder if this is the beginning of the end for mysql. I like mysql but Sun seems like a slow moving machine that's unable to adapt.

Cool!

[mysql.com...]

Congratulations to all the developers that contributed code to MySQL.

Will they get some compensation for their effort?

The price sounds like madness. Mysql has massive market share, but in terms of sales?

But annoying Oracle big time is priceless ;)

Something else...

Will this move by Sun Microsystems help boost the usage of Solaris and consequently affect Linux?

Is this the beginning of SAMP?

But annoying Oracle big time is priceless ;)

Oracle owns the InnoDB part of MySQL, the default database engine for transaction based MySQL installations. They will probably ask a larger sum of money the next time negotiations about the plug-in take place. I'll have to see who will laugh loudest then. I know that when MySQL drops the InnoDB engine, I will probably switch to another database system.

If MySQL drops InnoDB then InnoDB will be practically worthless - it is brand, mindshare, compatibility, bundled drivers and support that matters for MySQL now - they can change the insides and so long as external APIs work it will be fine.

Oracle is in difficult situation - their product is very expensive and in the next few lean years people will look to cut costs, so using MySQL instead of Oracle could be a good choice.

InnoDB is only one option for transactional storage engine, among many including Falcon [dev.mysql.com].

Also, here are some previous discussions in regards to InnoDB, Oracle and MySQL that may be interesting for those that haven't read them:
Oracle Acquires InnoDB [webmasterworld.com]
Oracle Buys SleepyCat (Berkeley DB) [webmasterworld.com]

I'm not worried about Sun messing with MySQL. They have done a decent job managing the Java community and eventually moving Java open source. As a Java/MySQL developer I think this is great for both Sun and MySQL.

The price seems a bit high, but I think this is a good move for everyone involved. With the backing of Sun, mysql will move from the techno-geeky realm of webmasters to mainstream businesses.

This is a crushing blow for Microsoft since I do believe we will see the Sun, Apache, MySQL, PHP environment swell.

I do believe we will see the Sun, Apache, MySQL, PHP environment swell.

Apache, MySQL and PHP already do well without Sun - I seriously doubt people will be buying overpriced hardware from that company just to run these low cost tools.

[linux.com...]

"Another sentiment I picked up from employees who are not authorized to speak to reporters was that 'Sun is the best possible buyer. What if it had been Oracle? Or ... Microsoft.'

Hmmm...

I'll like to know RedHat's opinion on this move by Sun.

Could a worst case scenario occur: Linux distributions with no MySQL.

Funny things do happen when the US economy is in bad shape!

[edited by: zafile at 1:54 am (utc) on Jan. 18, 2008]

I'll like to know RedHat's opinion in this move by Sun.

I think Red Hat bets on PostgreSQL that is labelled with some name I can't recall.

So, which is the 2nd best database after MySQL?

Do Linux distributions have an alternative as good as MySQL?

I found this article from October 2003 [computerworld.com...]

It seems that MySQL is the only alternative for Linux.

Is Sun Microsystems now pretty much in control of Linux future? Maybe so, at least until another database catches up with MySQL.

[edited by: zafile at 2:15 am (utc) on Jan. 18, 2008]

Apache, MySQL and PHP already do well without Sun - I seriously doubt people will be buying overpriced hardware from that company just to run these low cost tools.

LOL

Uh, then why did they buy mysql Mr. Majestic?

rekitty, I agree with you. The company I work at uses a lot of Sun hardware and software. Sun already spec's Mysql for some of their software such as Identity Manager and others. This will allow them to add features that they see Mysql lacking. My guess is InnoDB stuff will get replaced.

This isn't like CA bought them :)

Out of curiosity, I took a look at [webmasterworld.com...] which is titled Databases.

Guess what? I mostly see discussions about MySQL.

OK.

Sun has a good track record with the open source community mainly with their office suite.

The problem is their office suite isn't the best replacement for Microsoft Office. Everyone except the users of www.groklaw.net and similar Web sites prefer Microsoft Office.

On the other hand, the acceptance of MySQL is quite different. Everyone likes MySQL.

It seems to me that what Sun hasn't accomplished with their office suite or open Solaris will accomplish it with MySQL: users of Linux, FreeBSD, other BSD variants are now at Sun's mercy.

Pretty nice move by Sun.

Uh, then why did they buy mysql Mr. Majestic?

It's hard to say. I think it is a very bad fit for them - Sun makes money on hardware, not software, especially one that is mainly used for free anyway. If you look at history of big high tech acquisitions you will see that many of them, if not majority, don't really playout well at all. It is safe to blindly bet that a big buy like this will fail even without knowing the details - Ashton Tate, Netscape, ICQ, WinAmp etc.

Oracle is certainly not going to be happy, and it is really them who would pay the most to get rid of MySQL. The only way I can see it might make some sense for Sun is to resell MySQL to Oracle at some point - perhaps at the point when Sun itself will be broken up to pieces and sold to the highest bidder: Java to IBM, MySQL to Oracle, SPARC group generally closed with some people hired by Intel.

I have to say here well done to MySQL people - they certainly worked very hard and they deserved good payday. They also provided very good value to a lot of people without charging much for it, even though some of their recent actions are a bit questionable, but hey, they achieved great success with hard work, so I think they can be forgiven for some of the not so good things they did.