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Can Sun Make MySQL Pay?

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the oops-to-late dept.

AlexGr submitted a nice followup to last weeks billion dollar Sun buyout of MySQL. He notes that "Jeff Gould presents an interesting analysis in Interop News: How can an open source software company with $70 million or so in revenue and no profits to speak of be worth $1 billion? That's the question Sun CEO Jonathan Schwartz has been trying to answer since he bought MySQL last week. Like most commercial open source companies, MySQL makes money by enticing well-heeled customers to pay for an enterprise version of its product that comes with more bells and whistles than the community version it gives away for free. It appears though that the additional features of the Enterprise version are not enough to compensate for the revenue-destroying effects of the free Community alternative. What else could explain the surprising fact that MySQL has quietly filled out its open source portfolio with a closed source proprietary management software tool known as Enterprise Software Monitor?"

5 of 273 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Why should this be a surprise? by Corporate+Troll · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Similar to that hot chick you have been chatting up for months online... when she told you "I am a little big, but cute", deep down, you know she is a cross between a human and a hippo, but when you finally meet her, you want to dig your eyes out with a mechanical pencil.

    You don't seem to know how horny neglected fat chicks can be.... So, if she really got a pretty face but she doesn't conform to the "Kate Moss" body style, give it a shot anyway.

  2. Re:Why should this be a surprise? by bignetbuy · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    *claps*

    Bravo, sir. Well said. In the future though, please provide a warning before being hysterically funny. Mechanical pencil...

    Me and my now soda-covered monitor thank you.

  3. Re:Why should this be a surprise? by ArsenneLupin · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Similar to that hot chick you have been chatting up for months online... when she told you "I am a little big, but cute", deep down, you know she is a cross between a human and a hippo, but when you finally meet her, you want to dig your eyes out with a mechanical pencil. That's why, first thing you do, you ask for a recent pic.
  4. Re:Why should this be a surprise? by ArsenneLupin · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    And if you're lucky, you'll get a FGAS. If she sends you an outright fake, it will be that much easier to tell her off when you finally do meet her in person.

    If you're not lucky, you'll get a real pic. Well, that way, you at least avoid losing any further time dating a hippo. ... and you keep those coffee stains off your clothes...
  5. Re:Why should this be a surprise? by ArsenneLupin · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    So, if she really got a pretty face but she doesn't conform to the "Kate Moss" body style, give it a shot anyway. As long as there isn't so much blubber that you need to go on an expedition to find the more "interesting" body parts... Oh, and the mold on the skin.... ewwww!

    Definately, don't be satisfied with a face-pic, ask for a full body pic... or at least from the waist up.