Just another M$ ploy to crush competition out of existence. They
frequently do this to drive off competition. Then once a vast majority
has adopted the free M$ version and the competitors are out of business,
they either build it into the OS or make it a purchase only option. Like
the once free for download FrontPage. Now try getting a free legal copy
of FrontPage. Fortunately, there are and were better more powerful and
capable programs, and they have survived. Even though M$ has eroded most
of the client base. 

Beware of M$ Geeks bearing gifts!
That's a Trojan Horse if ever I saw one!

> -----Original Message-----
> From: DCT Jared Smith [mailto:jared@dctkc.com]
> Sent: Wednesday, March 20, 2002 10:00 AM
> To: kclug@kclug.org
> Subject: SQL Server 2000 Desktop Engine
> 
> 
> Take a look here:
> 
> http://www.microsoft.com/sql/techinfo/development/2000/MSDE2000.asp
> 
> Microsoft is making a database engine, available for free,
> free as in beer and free as in libre. The only limitation
> I can find, by reading through the license, is that you cannot
> use this engine to build a competitor for Access, which is
> a reasonable request.
> 
> Just as we are about to integrate MySQL into our first
> commercial product, for which we need to pay $200
> per site, this information comes through.
> 
> Question to the LUG:
> 
> Is Microsoft intentionally trying to undercut a major source
> of income for folks like MySQL, or are they genuinely
> making this MSDE engine available for free in the spirit
> of GNU, or, my guess, are they simply making it available
> with the intent of attracting developers who will eventually
> scale up to... the full SQL Server 2000 edition?
> 
> Anything more sinister is possible, but speculative. (IE
> MS could be intending to yank support for this engine...
> blah blah blah)
> 
> Anyone have some insight on this?
> 
> -Jared
> 
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> p.s. The actual license is a subset of several product licenses,
> and the following is the relevant section:
> 
> d. Use of Redistributable Code/Component Licenses. In
> addition to the rights granted above, Microsoft grants
> you the nonexclusive, royalty-free right to use, reproduce
> and distribute the Microsoft SQL Server Desktop
> Engine ("MSDE") and the files listed in the REDIST.TXT
> contained in the Product (collectively, the
> "Redistributable Code"), provided that you also comply
> with the following:
> 
>   i. General Requirements. If you choose to redistribute
>   any portion of the Redistributable Code, you agree:
> 
>     A. to distribute the Redistributable Code in object
>     code form and only in conjunction with and as a part
>     of a software application product developed by you
>     that adds significant and primary functionality to the
>     Product ("Application");
> 
>     B. not to use Microsoft's name, logo, or trademarks to
>     market the Application;
> 
>     C. to include a valid copyright notice in your name
>     on the Application;
> 
>     D. to indemnify, hold harmless, and defend Microsoft
>     from and against any claims or lawsuits, including
>     attorney's fees, that arise or result from the use or
>     distribution of the Application; and
> 
>     E. to otherwise comply with the terms of this EULA.
> 
>     You also agree not to permit further distribution of
>     the Redistributable Code by your end users except you
>     may permit further redistribution of the Redistributable
>     Code by your distributors if they only distribute the
>     Redistributable Code in conjunction with, and as part of,
>     the Application and you and your distributors comply
>     with all other terms of this EULA.
> 
>   ii. Additional Requirements for MSDE. If you choose to
>   redistribute MSDE, you also agree:
> 
>     A. that your Application shall not substantially duplicate
>     the capabilities of Microsoft Access or, in the reasonable
>     opinion of Microsoft, compete with same; and
> 
>     B. that unless your Application requires your customers
>     to license Microsoft Access in order to operate, you
>     shall not reproduce or use MSDE for commercial
>     distribution in conjunction with a general purpose word
>     processing, spreadsheet or database management
>     software product, or an integrated work or product
>     suite whose components include a general purpose word
>     processing, spreadsheet, or database management
>     software product except for the exclusive use of
>     importing data to the various formats supported by
>     Microsoft Access. Note: A product that includes limited
>     word processing, spreadsheet or database components
>     along with other components which provide significant
>     and primary value, such as an accounting product with
>     limited spreadsheet capability, is not considered to be
>     a "general purpose" product.
> 
>   iii. Component Licenses. The Product may contain certain
>   components (each, a "Component") that included a separate
>   end user license agreement (a "Component Agreement"). The
>   terms of any Component Agreement are herein incorporated by
>   reference to this EULA; in the event of any inconsistencies
>   between this EULA and any Component Agreement, the terms
>   of this EULA shall control.
> 
> ---------------------------------------------------------
> p.p.s. in other news, MySQL and Oracle are roughly equal under
> stress, according to this recent surprising benchmark:
> 
> http://www.eweek.com/print_article/0,3668,a=23115,00.asp
> 
> -Jared
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> majordomo@kclug.org
>