Re: [school-discuss] MySQL in classroom

["Jeff Goodwin" <iteach@flash.net>]

Regarding the response of Tom Adelstein to Robert Rittenhouse:

I am just a list recipient of considerably less expertise than either of you
and probably most people reading this.  I have no opinion about the relative
merits of MySQL.

But I am a literate, interested person and I do take offense at the tone of
Mr Adelstein.  I said the tone, not whatever the merits (or not) of his
content.  Mr Adelstein, what on earth justifies your hostility?  Dr
Rittenhouse merely expressed an opinion.  If that opinion as it was
published here suffers from anything, it suffers from not explaining what
Rittenhouse finds lacking in MySQL.  If you disagree with his rather cryptic
reference, then factually refute it rather than belittling the author and
his University.

Sincerely,

Jeff Goodwin


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tom Adelstein" <tadelste@charter.net>
To: <schoolforge-discuss@schoolforge.net>
Sent: Saturday, August 21, 2004 11:46 AM
Subject: Re: [school-discuss] MySQL in classroom


> On Sat, 2004-08-21 at 17:38, Dr. Robert G. Rittenhouse wrote:
> > >>I am going to be teaching a High School computer course this fall,
> > >>and one of the components I want to cover is databases and in
> > >>particular SQL queries.
> > >>
> > >>I am going to use MySQL for my DB both because it's free and it's
> > >>what I already have familiarity with.
> >
> > A bit offtopic and at the risk of starting a flamewar I wouldn't really
> > recommend MySQL for this role. Prefer to work with a more standard SQL
> > compliant and more capable DBMS such as SAP DB/MaxDB or perhaps
PostgresSQL.
> >
> > -- 
> > Dr. Robert G. Rittenhouse, Chair
> > Department of Computer Science
> > McMurry University, Abilene, TX 79697-0968
> >
>
> You don't have to start a flamewar. I'd be happy to do it on your
> behalf.
>
> First, stop dissing MySQL. That will hold the flames off completely.
>
> I work in the field and would be happy to compare credentials. I only
> see MySQL and Oracle in use. Where do I see MySQL? In every sector of
> the Federal Government, DoD, State and local government, Enterprises, in
> small to medium sized business  and in education.
>
> I wrote a piece in Linux Journal this week about the Emergency Response
> Network used by the Department of Homeland Security. That system has
> three years of history and they use MySQL.
>
> This is very easy. Stop using your authority as Dr. Ritterhouse, Chair
> (of a pretty small and insignificant University) and lay off MySQL. You
> do that, be politically correct and you won't have any flames. If people
> want to use MySQL, let them. If they want to use postgreSQl, let them.
> In the scheme of things, it makes little difference.