Re: What so special about PostgreSQL and other RDBMS?

On 2004-05-27, Noons <wizofoz2k_at_yahoo.com.au.nospam> wrote:
> Galen Boyer wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> Success of open source isn't solely dependent on the purchaser
>> tinkering. One thing you could do, if it was open source, was
>> hire someone who specialized in that technology to fix it for
>> you. With closed source, the only option you have is Oracle
>> releasing a patch or new version. Thats it.
>>
>
>
> Sorry, no. You are assuming that:
>
> 1- it somehow needs fixing from the word go. Nothing says that
> is the case. When you buy an app using a db, you expect it to work.

What fixpack is the current version of Oracle on?

What fixpack was the last current version of Oracle on?

> Period. If it does, you pay for the purchase. If it doesn't, you send them
> packing and get another vendor in. What the heck do you need source code
> for?

That's as idealistic as thinking that all of the customers can fix their own problems with their own coders by mucking through the sourcecode. Even SQL engines aren't easy to swap out.

>
> 2- "Hiring someone specialised" is somehow magically cheaper than
> getting a piece of software of the appropriate vintage. At a time

It all depends on the problem. Oracle has always been rediculously expensive to the point of driving people to Microsoft or coding their own. Given individual requirements, it is not a foregone conclusion that directly supporting the developent of some copylefted replacement will have a higher TCO than something alleged to be ready mae.

> when software is getting cheaper and cheaper and development costs

What did you pay for your last Oracle licenses?

[deletia]

BTW, Oracle themselves are exploiting free software development to route around the expensive proprietary software of other 3rd parties. They're contributing to the Linux kernel and have provided OCFS. This allows them to become a large part of deployment bugdets by squeezing out more expensive Sun hardware and expensive Veritas software.

Whatever you guys think of Free Software, the guys in the twin trashcans are already exploiting it.

-- 
The public has a right to free music. It's part of the bargain that
was originally made with musicians and publishers. It's time that the   |||
debate was shifted to reflect that. Robber Barons and their Toadies    / | \
are distracting us from the original facts of the situation.