Since I posted an entry on IBM purchasing Sun Microsystems, IBM backed out of the deal, and Oracle (still lead by Larry Ellison) stepped in and made a deal to purchase Sun Microsystems.
The deal as of this writing is pending approval from shareholders of both companies.
What does this mean for Java, OpenOffice.org, MySQL, and OpenSolaris?
Lets take a look at Oracle itself. Oracle specializes in database solutions with a proprietary license. Unlike Microsoft, their products work on UNIX dialects including Linux.
I have a copy of Solaris 8 (when Solaris was a commercial product) that came with a developer edition of the Oracle 9i database product. While Oracle databases may come with a proprietary license, the database product was stable and reliable as any open source product such as Firefox and OpenOffice.org.
Oracle has made some attempts to get into the Linux distribution market. The Unbreakable Linux product is a rebranded version of Red Hat Enterprise Linux with Oracle specifics and database products included.
Is it possible that Oracle wants to get into the Open Source field? Let’s hope so.
The only conflict that could be effected here is MySQL, which was recently acquired by Sun Microsystems. Hence, it is possible that Oracle functionality could be integrated into MySQL to make a database server worthy of enterprise use? If so, is this not what the creators of MySQL wanted in the first place? With MySQL as a part of many web server solutions, this could prove to be a merger that has some real merit.
…and then there is Larry Ellison. At least he does not throw tempertantrums when he does not get his way, nor does he smash chairs in his office because one of his top software engineers migrated to Google.
Despite his products having a proprietary license, his products are definitely world class, and I see Larry Ellison (as of this writing) as a friend of Linux/UNIX, and of Open Source. (Mainly because I have not seen evidence to the contrary yet.)
What about Java? Again, Oracle and Sun Microsystems have always worked together with the integration of Java and Oracle databases.
What about OpenOffice.org? Let us not forget that OpenOffice.org is sponsored by Sun Microsystems, and not manufactured by Sun Microsystems. StarOffice, however, is the commercial version of OpenOffice.org, and it is that product that would get the Oracle enhancements.
A visit to Oracle’s website reveals that Oracle has been very involved with the Linux community, not only with open source projects, but also with commercial offerings for Linux. According to the website, Oracle databases make up 82 percent of the market share in the enterprise where Linux is used. This is good news for Linux, but not necessarily for MySQL.
Sure MySQL will survive, but with a different niche.
Oracle Buys Sun Microsystems: Is This Good for Open Source?
Since I posted an entry on IBM purchasing Sun Microsystems, IBM backed out of the deal, and Oracle (still lead by Larry Ellison) stepped in and made a deal to purchase Sun Microsystems.
The deal as of this writing is pending approval from shareholders of both companies.
What does this mean for Java, OpenOffice.org, MySQL, and OpenSolaris?
Lets take a look at Oracle itself. Oracle specializes in database solutions with a proprietary license. Unlike Microsoft, their products work on UNIX dialects including Linux.
I have a copy of Solaris 8 (when Solaris was a commercial product) that came with a developer edition of the Oracle 9i database product. While Oracle databases may come with a proprietary license, the database product was stable and reliable as any open source product such as Firefox and OpenOffice.org.
Oracle has made some attempts to get into the Linux distribution market. The Unbreakable Linux product is a rebranded version of Red Hat Enterprise Linux with Oracle specifics and database products included.
Is it possible that Oracle wants to get into the Open Source field? Let’s hope so.
The only conflict that could be effected here is MySQL, which was recently acquired by Sun Microsystems. Hence, it is possible that Oracle functionality could be integrated into MySQL to make a database server worthy of enterprise use? If so, is this not what the creators of MySQL wanted in the first place? With MySQL as a part of many web server solutions, this could prove to be a merger that has some real merit.
…and then there is Larry Ellison. At least he does not throw tempertantrums when he does not get his way, nor does he smash chairs in his office because one of his top software engineers migrated to Google.
Despite his products having a proprietary license, his products are definitely world class, and I see Larry Ellison (as of this writing) as a friend of Linux/UNIX, and of Open Source. (Mainly because I have not seen evidence to the contrary yet.)
What about Java? Again, Oracle and Sun Microsystems have always worked together with the integration of Java and Oracle databases.
What about OpenOffice.org? Let us not forget that OpenOffice.org is sponsored by Sun Microsystems, and not manufactured by Sun Microsystems. StarOffice, however, is the commercial version of OpenOffice.org, and it is that product that would get the Oracle enhancements.
A visit to Oracle’s website reveals that Oracle has been very involved with the Linux community, not only with open source projects, but also with commercial offerings for Linux. According to the website, Oracle databases make up 82 percent of the market share in the enterprise where Linux is used. This is good news for Linux, but not necessarily for MySQL.
Sure MySQL will survive, but with a different niche.