SQL Server 2000 Desktop Engine
Brian Densmore
DensmoreB at ctbsonline.com
Thu Mar 21 17:19:58 CST 2002
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 at dctkc.com]
> Sent: Wednesday, March 20, 2002 10:00 AM
> To: kclug at 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 at kclug.org
>
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