Talk:Commercial Open Source Software

This is dual licencing really, isn't it? Midgley

Thanks Midgley, I updated the page to clarify the distinction. Wstewart 22:42, 28 June 2008 (UTC)

I think it's being picky and perhaps even fear mongering to insist that MySQL be listed under COSS rather than FOSS. You can clearly download, build, use and maintain your own installation of MySQL for free. That can be seen here MySQL downloads, and it is discussed at some length, with history, in the Wikipedia page on MySQL under Licensing and Issues. You could certainly list the Community Edition (licensed under GNU GPL). The only thing you gain by purchasing MySQL Enterprise etc. is hand holding, support, and some management GUI stuff that I wouldn't use anyway, and the bundling of such things is allowed by the licensing. MySQL will always be FOSS. MySQL AB is the company that Sun bought, not MySQL. Choogendyk 14:30 (UTC-4), 16 July 2008.

Thanks, I will investigate and post my results back here within a few days. Wstewart 00:53, 17 July 2008 (UTC)

Cool. I should note that when looking at the stuff about MySQL Enterprise you have to wade through a lot of market speak. I just got a marketing email from them this morning. It says things that a reasonable person would interpret as "this is different code, and it is way better." But, on further inspection, it is just that they will help you optimize it and they will proactively alert you about security issues and upgrades (just taking those two items as examples). HTH. Choogendyk 10:45 (UTC-4), 17 July 2008.

Hi, I looked into it, and yes MySQL is all GPL, with some dual licensing for those that want it. Have removed from this page, added to the System Software page. Thanks. Wstewart 15:09, 19 July 2008 (UTC)