[mdlug] OT was: Re: Open source MySQL - MySQL Creator: Oracle to Purchase Sun which Owns M ySQL

[Aaron Kulkis]

Michael Mikowski wrote:
> ----- Original Message ----
> 
> From: Aaron Kulkis <akulkis00 at gmail.com>
> To: MDLUG's Main discussion list <mdlug at mdlug.org>
> Sent: Tue, December 15, 2009 10:00:06 AM
> Subject: Re: [mdlug] Open source MySQL - MySQL Creator: Oracle to Purchase Sun which Owns M ySQL
> 
> 
>> MySQL is not consistent with Oracle's core business [... ]
>> unless they intend to use MySQL as a loss-leader (and there is zero indication of that).
> 
> It is very desirable to own the "entry point" in a market because people who upgrade will stay in the family.  
> Lots of people who drive Lexus today bought a Tercel as their first car
> in 1989.  I assure you, the profit margin on that Lexus is an order of
> magnitude greater than the Tercel.  Failure to control the "entry
> point" is a well recognized strategic mistake by the domestic
> automotive manufacturers in the 70's and 80's. 
> 

Quality control was an even bigger issue.  Cadillac, for
example, was producing the lowest quality cars (By GM's
own internal rating system for production flaws) of the
entire GM line up.  A perfect score was 145 on a 0-145
scale.  Cadillac was scoring in the low 90's.  Even
Chevrolet was higher.

Too many in this town went on an "import-bashing" spree
rather than work on improving the product -- much like
many of today's 20-40 year old women complain about so
many men prefering foreign women and/or complaing that
men have issues with getting married rather than doing
some honest self-assessment and improving their attitudes
about relationships and men, and the lopsided divorce
laws, and the even more lopsided "family courts" which,
unlike all other legal arenas, are neither public, nor
subject to appeal.  It's easier to just blame everyone
else for their reactions to your (or your products')
well-earned reputation as something to avoid.