Sun buys MySQL

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/01/16/sun_buys_mysql/

There seems to be a feeling that they're paying too much for it.

With Sun being friendly to opensource, I hope they just dont turn around and start charging for mysql.

Sun Microsystems is to pay $1bn for open source database developer 
MySQL.

MySQL's open source databases are widely used online, but Sun is 
hoping to increase their use in more traditional IT and enterprise 
settings. The database is used by many websites - 50,000 copies 
a day are downloaded.

1 b$, Isnt too much?
Also, 50K downloads every day..Cant believe mysql is that famous!! :)

They won't start charging for it. I assure you. MySQL generates enough money for the owners via consulting, and addons for commercial applications.

Also, imagine the soon to come upgrades with Sun's financial backing! Of course they will need to recoup the $1B.

I should have bought some SUN stock before they did that. DANG IT!

yellow1912:

With Sun being friendly to opensource, I hope they just dont turn around and start charging for mysql.

I hope so- Suns record in this department is not too good though

I agree that Sun's record is patchy. Although they are friendly to open source, corporate objectives are not always completely aligned, and smaller open source products can get squashed.

This move doesn't worry me though. MySQL (the product rather than the company) is so large in its own right, and so integral to the ubiquitous LAMP configuration, that the pressure on them is they look like screwing it up would be irresistible.

Sun is not charging for Open Office or Java, I think that they will only help MySQL grow.

JOhn ><>

I can almost assure you they are not going to charge for it. Opensource is their weapon against Microsoft. I think they are out to make opensource a competitive alternative to Microsoft by linking everything together. Charging for it would simply destroy many opensource applications.

The best way to do this and make money from it would seem very intuitive.

About half the opensource projects on sourceforge.net run on two database types: MySQL or PostgreSQL/Oracle. Most companies that use opensource use at least two database types. Therefore, it becomes very labor intensive to type the same information into two databases (unreliable), or they will spend a small fortune linking these applications together. This is what forces business of any size to turn to expensive proprietary alternatives such as Microsoft or SaaS software.

If Sun uses its java product to make easy connections between database types, they have essentially accomplished two things:

1. They have effectively united every opensource application on sourceforge.net into one big customizable application.

2. They have made their java product essential to the whole opensource market.

Therefore if you own a company needing software, opensource becomes a no-brainer. You no longer have to enter information twice and there is greater customization available. Why pay for an expensive product upfront that is not very customizable or accessible unless you pay huge additional costs for licensing and expensive service when you can simply just have everything online for very little or no money and simply pay for service as your company grows.

If you are a software writer or company that updates systems for companies, you also have two options: 1) Try to sell an expensive (obsolete) application to the public that is not as accessible or 2) Learn java and start writing in it.

Business around the world will demand the lower start-up costs driving Microsoft into the opensource market or out of business. I think that is their goal. A secondary goal is simultaneously making their java product indispensable to opensource placing the future of internet business firmly in their hands.