--- In ib-support@yahoogroups.com, "Kumar" <manuelf001@h...> wrote:

>
> My q. is: Many people keep telling us to just go with MSSQL and

have the client pay for its license (which will go over like a fart in
church for most of them) or look at MySQL instead of FB. Do you folks
see FB as a solid alternative to MSSQL (no, I don't care if it is as
fast, just 90% as fast would be fine)? Is MySQL something that I
should be looking at... or is it just another flat-file system with
the same issues I've already faced.

>
> Thanks,
> -k-

MySQL has a combination Open Source / Commercial licensing scheme. If
you are distributing MySQL as part of a commercial application, you
have to buy a commercial license. The cost ranges from $90~$395
depending on how many copies you buy and whether you include InnoDb
tables which provide ACID transactions. I have used it on several
in-house projects over the last few years with up to 140 users and it
is very fast and easy to use. It also lacks some features (referential
integrity, triggers, stored procedures) that other databases have.
http://www.mysql.com/products/licensing.html

Other open source databases to consider: PostgreSQL and SAP DB
http://www3.us.postgresql.org/features.html
http://www.sapdb.org/sap_db_features.htm

I can't give you any advice on Firebird based on personal experience
because I'm currently evaluating it myself.