MySQL sold for $ 1 Billion !!

Yes that is true. MySQL AB the developer of opensource database system MySQL has been sold to Sun for close to $ 1 Billion. Here is the posting on Sun’s website announcing the acquisition.

Most importantly this deal proves that open source software development can be a viable business model.

MySQL was always a great database. However continued support was a major concern for any corporation considering installation of MySQL. With SUN’s might behind MySQL that concern shall be gone. Support revenue forms a large part of the revenue for many product companies and IMHO SUN must have given a lot of weight to the expected support revenue in coming up with this billion dollar valuation.

The deal looks to be quite complementray. Sun is in the enterprise and has a substantial Web presence, while MySQL has a substantial Web presence and is entering the enterprise. Hence there is a possibility of a substantial cross-sell for both products.

The only downside can be that MySQL stops being a truely opensource software and starts to focus too much on the earnings potential. Hope that better sense prevails at SUN.

SUN has been involved with the development with the development of rival open source database PostgreSQL. It will be interesting to note what will be SUN’s strategy going forward.

Seems like it is time for Larry to start concentrating on his core database business.

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Microsoft seeks patent for office ’spy’ software

The Times reports that Microsoft has filed for a patent that will allow the employers to monitor employee’s productivity, physical wellbeing and competence.

Microsoft submitted a patent application in the US for a “unique monitoring system” that could link workers to their computers. Wireless sensors could read “heart rate, galvanic skin response, EMG, brain signals, respiration rate, body temperature, movement facial movements, facial expressions and blood pressure”, the application states.

The system could also “automatically detect frustration or stress in the user” and “offer and provide assistance accordingly”. Imagine a world where you are constantly monitored by your employers, where getting excited privately by an attractive fellow employee could end up in a sexual harassment claim, or even privately being unhappy by someone in management may automatically result in intervention and retraining.

Scary
You can read the original article here

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