Re: [GENERAL] Re: [HACKERS] [Fwd: SGVLLUG Oracle and Informix on Linux]

> OK, let's discuss this. How does this affect us? With all three
> releasing around the same time, they really dilute themselves. I can't
> imagine most people trying more than one of the commercial alternatives.

I offer myself up as a case study...

I will likely use Oracle (or one of the other two) for some things, and
PostgreSQL for other things. Where expense is the key issue for a
customer, PostgreSQL. Where cost is less of a factor, Oracle.

I say this with these (mostly uninformed) assumptions in mind. Oracle's
ODBC driver is probably more complete. Oracle is better documented. Oracle
has a lot of related tools. Oracle offers training.

> Certain people will be tempted by a commercial SQL server, while others
> will prefer us because of:
>
> features

As many posts I see to this list are "how do I do this" - "not
implemented, wait for a later version", I'm not sure why you would make
this claim. Again, I'm not a person who spends a great deal of time on
databases and I do consider myself uninformed.

> installed base

PostgreSQL coming preinstalled with RedHat Linux 5.1 was the sole reason I
selected it. It was just too convenient.

> open source

While I can appreciate this, it is not a requirement. Without a background
in database related knowledge, I would probably do more harm than good in
the short term, and no time for a long term investment in changes.

> support

The mailing lists are nice. I appreciate them very much. There's probably
a mailing list for Oracle. What more is there for support?

> price(some are free)

This is the significant advantage of PostgreSQL to me.

Bruce Tong | Got me an office; I'm there late at night.
Systems Programmer | Just send me e-mail, maybe I'll write.
Electronic Vision / FITNE |
zztong(at)laxmi(dot)ev(dot)net | -- Joe Walsh for the 21st Century