RE: [oracle-l] Open Source issues
- From: DENNIS WILLIAMS <DWILLIAMS@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "'oracle-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx'" <oracle-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2004 08:25:07 -0600
Michael
Thanks for providing a clear, insightful commentary on MySQL's actions.
You make more sense than the original author. Fascinating interplay between
benevolent motives of helping mankind vs. those who would get rich. I
particularly enjoy editorials (in profit-oriented, advertiser-supported)
magazines about how difficult it is to reap vast profits from free software
like Linux.
Dennis Williams
DBA
Lifetouch, Inc.
dwilliams@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Thomas [mailto:mhthomas@xxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Wednesday, January 28, 2004 7:36 AM
To: oracle-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [oracle-l] Open Source issues
This is very good information. Thanks.
On the one hand, MySQL has a free license for
non-commercial use which has now changed to 'GPL'.
Otherwise, MySQL has always had a small license fee
(and protection from 'GPL') for anyone developing a
system for a commercial application. Many people want
to steal a 'free' license and not pay.
As the link explains, the 'free' license is changed to
GPL, meaning any system developed with the free
license is also GPL. Now, if your software project
steals a 'free' license you have to release your
software as open source, e.g. GPL. I may not
understand nor explain it 100% correctly, but that's
the general point.
The only way to protect yourself, if you are
developing software to make money, is to buy a
license. I applaud MySQL for taking these steps. I
found that RedHat has actually improved by charging
license fees, even though Linus is upset about having
to pay for what he writes. I also think this will
improve MySQL.
<SOAPBOX>
Its funny (to me) is because we always get back what
we are willing to put in, especially in the 'global'
economy and with software companies. Sometimes it just
takes a couple cycles for balance to be achieved.
Who knows where this is from?
"Where is the natural place to look for cost reduction
opportunities? In the places where there is apparent
excess manpower - the areas that have improved the
most. Punish people for their improvements and the
process of ongoing improvements comes to a grinding
halt. Morale, and thus performance, rapidly
deteriorates. But at that time the clients have been
spoiled by the excellent performance and they are not
willing to accept any deterioration. Sales plummet, in
some cases, to the extent that financial viability is
not longer there".
My philosophy is also to laugh at software companies
where the Corporate leadership pitches how great their
outsource projects are going. Regardless, I support
least cost development, but the truth is that most of
the largest license thefts occurs in Asia, China,
India and Russia/East Europe (sorted alphabetical),
and some of our largest software based corporations
will see sales plummet by focusing in these areas.
Two questions:
1) How much cheaper is development, when you steal all
your development software, e.g. databases?
2) How reliable/professional would this type of
organization be?
E.g. Also, don't ask how many clients 'Oracle <insert
country>' has signed up, rather ask how much new
license revenue has been generated.
For example, a friend mine from India told me his
friends back home ask him why he has to pay US taxes,
because they don't understand why he can't cheat on
taxes like they do. And, India is not nearly as big a
problem as the others I've mentioned.
</SOAPBOX>
Its clear that MySQL is getting ahead of the curve in
this case. Congratulations.
Regards,
Mike Thomas
--- DENNIS WILLIAMS <DWILLIAMS@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> If you are considering MySQL or other open-source
> applications, the
> following article discusses some of the more subtle
> issues related to open
> source, particularly if you sell applications based
> on MySQL.
>
>
http://www.infoworld.com/article/04/01/16/03OPstrategic_1.html
>
>
> Dennis Williams
> DBA
> Lifetouch, Inc.
> dwilliams@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
>
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