Re: Comparison of DB2 and Oracle?

Rhino wrote:

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>
> So how can I ask this question in a way that will get a meaningful answer
> rather than in flames?
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>

You can't - the exercise as you have it is a little facile. As a suggestion, why not recommend a process to your friend, rather than just an outcome. For instance

1. Work out what criteria are most important for you, for the given situation (for instance, how you evaluate software depends on what you want to use the software for, and databases can be used for many things - from simple data management, to high end OLTP, to very, very large Data Warehouse environments, and even more lately, to Content Management). Other options such as price, support, market support, platforms availability etc may also be relevant.
2. Evaluate the different offerings against this criteria. This may require that you research the product's web site, read the doc, perhaps even download and try. Definitely talk to each vendors sales representatives - typically try to get to the more technical sales consultants. As you go, use the newsgroup to validate your understanding of what each offering does and does not do, and what you may have been told.
3. When you come up with a potential best candidate, validate your decision. Seek references that best match your criteria. Talk to the technical people in each reference account. Also ask to talk to the users in each reference account (the two are often at odds as to what is actually happening).
4. Then choose Oracle :-)