Re: Democracy and organisation : let's make a revolution - Mailing list pgsql-hackers

Just a personal observation here, based on the work we've been doing
lately ... there are *alot* of very large companies out there, one of
which we just did onsite training for that I swear has an article in just
about every trade magazine I read, each month ... the problem isn't
getting companies to adopt/use PgSQL ... the problem is getting them to
acknowledge its usage ...

And, quite frankly, until the BigO loses its grip, I really don't see them
coming out of the closet and admitting to using PgSQL ... why? I don't
know abotu you, but all I can imagine in my head is a horde of O-salesman
descending on the company wondering why they switched and how can they
convince them otherwise, etc, etc ...

I know ... I deal with those salesman all the time, from Oracle to Sun to
Microsoft ...

The problem, as I see it, is everyone moaning cause we aren't the #1
database for the Web ... who cares?  How many sites out there don't even
*need* a database backend in the first place?  Someone throws MySQL onto
that and thiks its the best thing since sliced bread, even though the
table contains a single record ...

The markets that matter, enterprise databases, we are making inroads into
and quite substantial ones, but due to 'internal politics', you aren't
going to hear about them ...

How many ppl here can honestly say they know of *at least* one company, if
not more, that are using PgSQL, but don't advertise, or let known, that
fact?  I can think of a half dozen that we (PgSQL, Inc) have worked with
to convert, and train, so far ... Tom, call it RedHat DB or PgSQL, its the
same code base ... any numbers from that end?  Bruce, how about from SRA?

On Tue, 25 Jun 2002, Bruce Momjian wrote:

> Tom Lane wrote:
> > Josh Berkus <josh@agliodbs.com> writes:
> > > Frankly, my feeling is, as a "geek-to-geek" product, PostgreSQL is already
> > > adequately marketed through our huge network of DBA users and code
> > > contributors.
> >
> > Well, mumble ... it seems to me that we are definitely suffering from
> > a "buzz gap" (cf missile gap, Dr Strangelove, etc) compared to MySQL.
> > That doesn't bother me in itself, but the long-term implications are
> > scary.  If MySQL manages to attract a larger development community as
> > a consequence of more usage or better marketing, then eventually they
> > will be ahead of us on features and every other measure that counts.
> > Once we're number two with no prayer of catching up, how long will our
> > project remain viable?  So, no matter how silly you might think
> > "MySQL is better" is today, you've got to consider the prospect that
> > it will become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
> >
> > So far I have not worried about that scenario too much, because Monty
> > has always treated the MySQL sources as his personal preserve; if he
> > hadn't written it or closely reviewed it, it didn't get in, and if it
> > didn't hew closely to his opinion of what's important, it didn't get in.
> > But I get the impression that he's loosened up of late.  If MySQL stops
> > being limited by what one guy can do or review, their rate of progress
> > could improve dramatically.
> >
> > In short: we could use an organized marketing effort.  I really
> > feel the lack of Great Bridge these days; there isn't anyone with
> > comparable willingness to expend marketing talent and dollars on
> > promoting Postgres as such.  Not sure what to do about it.  We've
> > sort of dismissed Jean-Michel's comments (and those of others in
> > the past) with "sure, step right up and do the marketing" responses.
> > But the truth of the matter is that a few amateurs with no budget
> > won't make much of an impression.  We really need some professionals
> > with actual dollars to spend, and I don't know where to find 'em.
>
> OK, let me make some comments on this.  First, Great Bridge had me doing
> some marketing stuff while I was with them.  This included trade shows,
> magazine articles, and interviews.  I am available to do all those
> again.  GB lined up the contacts and got it all started.  If people want
> me to do more of that, I can find the time.
>
> I am not sure how effective that was.  There was a lot more marketing
> done by Great Bridge that would take lots of money to do.
>
> Do people want an advocacy article written, like "How to choose a
> database?"  I could do that.
>
> Basically, I am open to ideas.  Would it help to fly me out to meet IT
> leaders?  More books/articles?  What does it take?  What do successful
> companies and open source projects do that works?
>
> --
>   Bruce Momjian                        |  http://candle.pha.pa.us
>   pgman@candle.pha.pa.us               |  (610) 853-3000
>   +  If your life is a hard drive,     |  830 Blythe Avenue
>   +  Christ can be your backup.        |  Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania 19026
>
>
>
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