The Portable Consultant has only now noticed Developer Shed’s good overview of the acquisition of key the open source database company MySQL by Sun Microsystems.
This is certainly good for Sun. It is probably a good place for MySQL, given the alternatives. And it is most likely good for MySQL fans, whether they require the open version or the supported version of the MySQL license.
It also might help Sun figure out how it wishes to structure its own open source licenses in the future. In the past Sun has prevaricated over licensing for key products such as Java and Solaris. Perhaps the MySQL folks, who have successfully structured their own dual-licensing, will assist Sun management in working out future Sun licensing options.
Cheers,
-pmh
February 5th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
It is to be seen how SUN can monetize the acquisition but they would have a hard time pitching the database to larger firms, even though they are already their clients
February 13th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Good point!
It raises the age-old question of whether Sun is a hardware company or a software company.
-pmh