MySQL Uses Microsoft's Open Source Software

EqualSlash writes "The Windows installer for the upcoming MySQL 4.1 release will be built using Microsoft's first ever open source project - Windows Installer XML toolset(Wix). According to an InternetNews report, they are using Wix to convert the MSI file designed using InstallShield into XML to achieve greater control over the installer. Of course, they are simply using it because it's Open Source (CPL license) and in good faith. Earlier this year, when Microsoft surprised everybody by releasing the Wix project under an open source license, some were cautious about using it, as the specific XML schema it uses might be patented just like the Office xml schema. Whatever.. Rob Mensching, Wix's lead developer, is very happy about MySQL choosing to use Wix for their installer."

Comments

Good news, I guess

[__aavhli5779]

Wait, so what you're implying is...

Someone open-sourcing something causes more people to use it?!?!?

If it weren't for the fact that this is MS's open source creation being used, this would not be news.

In any case, kudos to MySQL for taking the first step with Wix and to Microsoft for trying something they have otherwise sworn against.

Hopefully more people will use Wix, and most importantly, will modify it and contribute changes. That would be a nice way of showing MS just what open source can offer, something which everyone else seems to have figured out already.

Re:Good news, I guess

[Fulcrum of Evil]

Microsoft is not against open source. They've used BSD-licensed software, and more than WiX has been released under an open source license. What Microsoft has "sworn against" is "Free Software" as RMS would call it, or to the rest of us, software using the GPL or other "viral" license.

To be more specific, they're against software taht can't be incorporated into their software and then resold with impunity.

As long as it's such an unessential..

[Karamchand]

..components as the Windows installer I don't mind; no, actually I am happy that even MS can contribute a bit to the open source world.

Simply because the whole MySQL project can't be taken down by MS even though they're using Wix. It's not important enough for the project's life, that's it!

Great news

[rnd()]

By opening up the source and making it possible for OSS developers to use a high quality installer, Microsoft has shown that it realizes the importance of Open Source software to its user base.

Re:WiX problem

[Random Web Developer]

Look, I just want to create installers, I don't care about their source, and I definitely don't consider source a replacement for documentation or an open source licence an excuse to not have documentation.

I remember a video from a presentation where it was mentioned that the doc's are being worked on, but as long as they aren't available I won't use the thing.

Re:I'd rather they not use it

[Zakabog]

Why would you rather they don't use it? So Microsoft thinks open source is a failure and never again makes an open source project?

Now I'm worried . . .

[StateOfTheUnion]

I didn't know that MS was doing anything open source, but now that I know, I can't help but worry:

Is this the first step of MS trying to get into open source and become a major player? Microsoft has never been an innovator, but they are really good at stealing someone else's idea and business model (e.g. netscape, realplayer, etc., etc.) . . .perhaps they will foray into the "give the open source software away for free and sell the services and maintenance" business model. I'm sure that they won't do this for their core products . . . but for other things . . . like development tools or less popular products . . . maybe?

Re:Patents in this kind of case?

[azaris]

If Microsoft were to release the project under a OSS license and then nail a competitor that uses it for patent infringement, couldn't the competitor nail them for antitrust violations?

All this blahblah about Microsoft's patent portfolio would be more convincing if we had at least one recent case of them using patents to shut down independent open source development teams. As it is, I get the feeling I'm listening to Chicken Little on the future of celestial disasters.

Re:I'd rather they not use it

[lintux]

What's the problem with using an installer written by Microsoft if someone is already writing the software for the Microsoft Windows platform anyway? Doesn't make a big difference, if you ask me...

Encouraging developments.....

[i_want_you_to_throw_]

Regarding Open Source: There's nothing to stop Microsoft from putting out Microsoft Linux is there?

I don't like Microsoft but they will stop being hated so much when they transition themselves from a company that expects to create standards to one that merely contributes to them.

IBM learned that lesson and geeks love them now but they were the Microsoft of their day.

As long as MySQL stays MySQL who cares? Maybe Microsoft will FINALLY have a true understanding of what open source is now. (Probably not though...)

About the license...

[polyp2000]

Suppose I wanted to port WiX to run and install linux applications on linux (if i felt there were good reason to do so) would the license allow me to do so? And what-if I wanted to build an application for linux that used parts of WiX code ? say the XML parsing code or something?

Could using parts of microsofts open source offerings (in some cases) act as a double whammy against possible patent suits in the future? They aint gonna sue project (X) if it means project (Y) which they quite like might be affected etc.

If projects like MySQL are making the decision to use WiX it might be nice if their products used the same installer no matter which operating system is select as the base.

Nick