Article: HP Wins Oracle Lawsuit
By: Eric (eric.kjellen.delete@this.gmail.com), August 2, 2012 12:55 pm
Room: Moderated Discussions
Paul A. Clayton (paaronclayton.delete@this.gmail.com) on August 1, 2012 7:02 pm wrote:
> Joel (joel.hruska.delete@this.gmail.com) on August 1, 2012 4:43 pm wrote:
> >
> Paul A. Clayton (paaronclayton.delete@this.gmail.com) on August 1, 2012 3:18 pm
>
> > wrote:
> [snip]
> >> The fear of such actions may make Free Software
> more
> >>attractive.
> [snip]
> > I can't possibly see how. What would
> be the FLOSS alternative
> > to Oracle's databases?
>
> I meant "make Free
> Software more attractive in general" not specifically with respect to
> Oracle-provided software nor even more specifically with respect to the dropping
> of Itanium support.
>
> I receive the impression that most of the attraction to
> Free software recently has been the cost reduction. (More technical types might
> enjoy the ability to examine and even modify source code. More people might
> appreciate the ability to install software without approval for a purchase
> order.) Oracles actions may make some of the less pointy-haired of bosses
> better appreciate the value of not being locked into a single vendor's
> offering.
>
> Even for the enterprise software that does not currently have Free
> alternatives, the incentives to support development of such software may
> increase. In addition, there may be some move to use Free software modules (or
> configuration templates) that abstract some of the interface with the propriety
> software. The ability to more easily port such modules to a different platform
> (a benefit of open source both for the modules and the platform) could
> significantly reduce migration costs if a Free alternative to the platform
> becomes available.
>
> I think destroying trust in software vendors tends to
> increase the perceived value of FLOSS (and open interfaces).
I agree, but I think the most visible consequence will be a boost to IBM's (proprietary) software platform and the interest in and support for a complete alternative to Oracle's database and applications. I suspect that will be most severe long-term effect of this for Oracle.
> Joel (joel.hruska.delete@this.gmail.com) on August 1, 2012 4:43 pm wrote:
> >
> Paul A. Clayton (paaronclayton.delete@this.gmail.com) on August 1, 2012 3:18 pm
>
> > wrote:
> [snip]
> >> The fear of such actions may make Free Software
> more
> >>attractive.
> [snip]
> > I can't possibly see how. What would
> be the FLOSS alternative
> > to Oracle's databases?
>
> I meant "make Free
> Software more attractive in general" not specifically with respect to
> Oracle-provided software nor even more specifically with respect to the dropping
> of Itanium support.
>
> I receive the impression that most of the attraction to
> Free software recently has been the cost reduction. (More technical types might
> enjoy the ability to examine and even modify source code. More people might
> appreciate the ability to install software without approval for a purchase
> order.) Oracles actions may make some of the less pointy-haired of bosses
> better appreciate the value of not being locked into a single vendor's
> offering.
>
> Even for the enterprise software that does not currently have Free
> alternatives, the incentives to support development of such software may
> increase. In addition, there may be some move to use Free software modules (or
> configuration templates) that abstract some of the interface with the propriety
> software. The ability to more easily port such modules to a different platform
> (a benefit of open source both for the modules and the platform) could
> significantly reduce migration costs if a Free alternative to the platform
> becomes available.
>
> I think destroying trust in software vendors tends to
> increase the perceived value of FLOSS (and open interfaces).
I agree, but I think the most visible consequence will be a boost to IBM's (proprietary) software platform and the interest in and support for a complete alternative to Oracle's database and applications. I suspect that will be most severe long-term effect of this for Oracle.