RE: MySQL on iSeries (was RE: LINUX is the "one" ? .... Comments???)

On Wed, 2 Apr 2003, Joe Pluta wrote:

> > 1. You can distribute mysql code with proprietary code (normally this is
> > not allowed by the GPL) if you buy another license, i.e. they
> > will relicense the code differently to you.
>
> So I can't use it to develop for-sale products unless I license it.

No, you are putting words in that aren't there.  Yes, you can develop
proprietary products that use mysql.  No, you cannot distribute mysql
itself in a proprietary product without purchasing a different license.
This is only slightly different than OS/400.  You can develop and sell and
distribute a product that uses OS/400 (and DB2/400).  The same is true of
mysql.  You cannot distribute OS/400 itself, however.  But you can create
a product that uses mysql code (not just the API) and sell it (i.e.
distribute it) if you purchase a license.

> > 2. GPL code is not normally waranteed - in fact none is that I know of.
> > But mysql will warantee their product to you for a fee.  If a warantee
> > makes you sleep better, you can buy one.
>
> I don't run mission critical software on something that's not warranteed.

Well then you better quit your job.  Please come up with a list of
software that has a warrantee.  Not even OS/400 has one.  Is the software
you write warranteed?  It will do exactly what it claims or your money
back?

> So, MySQL is free as long as you don't sell anything that uses it or want to
> run anything mission critical on it.  Not exactly a ringing endorsement to

Again, selling something that uses mysql is not a violation of the GPL.
Linux is GPL'ed, yet many proprietary applications use it without trouble.

> interface.  And if I want a truly powerful free database, I'll use SAP DB.
> Both provide full support for JDBC2.0, including scrollable updatable
> cursors, and both are completely free.

Completely free?  Do I get freedoms as a user to do what I want with them?
Completely free implies they are public domain, which is unlikely.  Free
of charge, maybe.

James Rich