From: Jules Bean
Date: August 31 1999 7:58pm
Subject: Re: MySQL Speed ?? slower the Oracle ?
List-Archive: http://lists.mysql.com/mysql/11896
Message-Id: <37CC33E0.95F92930@hermes.cam.ac.uk>
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Michael Widenius wrote:
> Jules> Because the MySQL license agreement forbids the sale of CDs which
> Jules> contain mysql.  So neither RedHat nor Debian can put mysql on CD version
> Jules> of their distribution (Debian make it available from their websites, in
> Jules> the non-free section - I don't know if RedHat do).
> 
> This is not the case, see my previous mail!
> 
> You can put MySQL on a commercial CD, as long as the next customer is
> allowed to redistribute the cd.

Doh.

My sincere apologies.  Monty is of course correct.

Free software debates are quite off-topic on this list, so I won't go
into details, but to clear up some FUD:

Redhat doesn't only distribute GPL'ed software.  It mainly distributes
free software (as in the Debian definition - try
http://www.debian.org/social_contract, the second half of that page, the
'Debian Free Software Guidelines').  If it only distributed GPLed stuff,
it couldn't distribute X.  In fact, it also distributes non-free
software - e.g. netscape - so they're not entirely consistent.  As Monty
says, their stance on mysql is rather inconsistent.

MySQL, notwithstanding what Monty says about the GPL being inappropriate
for servers, isn't quite 'free software'.  It only fails this goal
substantially because I can't create a database engine based on MySQL
and sell it.  I understand why TCX wouldn't like this, and it isn't a
problem for most people.

In summary: If you don't like the fact that RedHat doesn't distribute
mysql, email them.  They're a commercial company, and they will listen
if users complain.

Jules

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