I have to post some actual advocacy, go figure :)

PostgreSQL 8.0 is almost out, this is real cool. The new features
practically make systems like Oracle and MSSQL obsolete.

I've been 100% linux now, since about 1996/1997 time frame (maybe even 1995,
but I can't remember)

The cool aspects of Linux keep getting better:

Digital Camera, HP 935, 5MP camera, supported.

Mplayer, works great.

My UMAX scanner is supported.

My DVD RW is supported.

NDIS Wrapper takes care of my wireless LAN in my laptop.

Mandrake 10.0 is awesome.

Knode, while not perfect, I'm getting used to it and it isn't bad.

OpenOffice is a GREAT system. So what if it screws up incoming word
documents, I can save in Word format flawlessly, and that's how I send into
to my clients. Excel as well.

GCC, G++ not the best compiler in the world, but what is? It is certainly
better than MSC, MSC++.

Sun Java works great.

Say what you want, but the Gimp rocks.

After using mkisofs directly for years, I got lazy and used K3B, not bad,
not bad at all.

Gaim, as always, the best instant messenger.

Sqirrelmail for my company.

And, as more exploits and problems with IE are exposed, the support for
Mozilla and Opra expand. Win for us!

And, drum roll please, I never have to worry that my license is invalid or
expired.

So, why pay MS anything?

On Wed, 29 Sep 2004 12:34:56 GMT, mlw wrote:
> I have to post some actual advocacy, go figure :)
>
> PostgreSQL 8.0 is almost out, this is real cool. The new features
> practically make systems like Oracle and MSSQL obsolete.

Does pgsql8 have full-text search?


-- 
FreeBSD 4.8-RELEASE i386
 8:25AM  up 18 days, 14:48, 0 users, load averages: 0.00, 0.00, 0.00

General Protection Fault wrote:

> On Wed, 29 Sep 2004 12:34:56 GMT, mlw wrote:
>> I have to post some actual advocacy, go figure :)
>>
>> PostgreSQL 8.0 is almost out, this is real cool. The new features
>> practically make systems like Oracle and MSSQL obsolete.
> 
> Does pgsql8 have full-text search?

It has a "contrib" module for that, but I have a full text search engine
built around PostgreSQL, so it isn't an issue for me.

> 
> 
> --
> FreeBSD 4.8-RELEASE i386
>  8:25AM  up 18 days, 14:48, 0 users, load averages: 0.00, 0.00, 0.00

On Wed, 29 Sep 2004 12:34:56 +0000, mlw wrote:

> I have to post some actual advocacy, go figure :)
> 
> PostgreSQL 8.0 is almost out, this is real cool. The new features
> practically make systems like Oracle and MSSQL obsolete.
> 
> I've been 100% linux now, since about 1996/1997 time frame (maybe even 1995,
> but I can't remember)

My hat's off to you! I've only been doing that for 3/4 years.

> 
> The cool aspects of Linux keep getting better:
> 
> Digital Camera, HP 935, 5MP camera, supported.

I prefer to use a card reader to save the camera batteries, but what the
hay!

> 
> Mplayer, works great.
> 
> My UMAX scanner is supported.

I've been having great luck with Epson - the iscan utility they provide
works pretty well.

> 
> My DVD RW is supported.
> 
> NDIS Wrapper takes care of my wireless LAN in my laptop.
> 
> Mandrake 10.0 is awesome.
> 
> Knode, while not perfect, I'm getting used to it and it isn't bad.
> 
> OpenOffice is a GREAT system. So what if it screws up incoming word
> documents, I can save in Word format flawlessly, and that's how I send into
> to my clients. Excel as well.

Have you tried AbiWord to read MSWord docs. I find that it does a much
better job on the messy formatting. I wish people would get onto using rtf
as a universal document format rather than MSWord. It provides most of the
functionality, and then virtually everyone can handle it.

> 
> GCC, G++ not the best compiler in the world, but what is? It is certainly
> better than MSC, MSC++.

I've had to deal with MS Visual C++ and always found it to be a pain in
the arse.

> 
> Sun Java works great.
> 
> Say what you want, but the Gimp rocks.

I'm still learning about the capabilities, but I sure does all I need.

> 
> After using mkisofs directly for years, I got lazy and used K3B, not bad,
> not bad at all.
> 
> Gaim, as always, the best instant messenger.
> 
> Sqirrelmail for my company.
> 
> And, as more exploits and problems with IE are exposed, the support for
> Mozilla and Opra expand. Win for us!

AMEN

> 
> And, drum roll please, I never have to worry that my license is invalid or
> expired.
> 
> So, why pay MS anything?

On Wed, 29 Sep 2004 12:34:56 +0000, mlw wrote:

> I have to post some actual advocacy, go figure :)
> 

Sounds good!

> PostgreSQL 8.0 is almost out, this is real cool. The new features
> practically make systems like Oracle and MSSQL obsolete.

As many people here already know, I think PostgreSQL is an excellent
product, but it far from being in a position to push Oracle anywhere. 
Likewise, MSSQL is a mature and very robust offering.  While PostgreSQL is
currently in the class with products such as Sybase, Informix, MSSQL, and
yes, even Oracle, feature wise, PostgreSQL still has lots of room to
mature.  Let's face it, Oracle is king for a reason and it's NOT just
because of marketing.  They truly have a strong technology base.  A base,
which should be respected.  IMO, they've earned their respect.

With the release of PostgreSQL 8.0, PostgreSQL will truly become an
enterprise class solution and accordingly qualify for projects where only
Oracle, Informix and Sybase reign supreme.  Clearly, this will create a
lot of oportunity for Linux and especially PostgreSQL (as it will now run
on Windows). Just the same, let's not claim that it's usurping Oracle away
from its crown, when it's clearly not.

> 
> I've been 100% linux now, since about 1996/1997 time frame (maybe even 1995,
> but I can't remember)
> 

That's excellent!


> 
> NDIS Wrapper takes care of my wireless LAN in my laptop.

This, as best, is a break-even boast.  This wrapper is required because
Linux is still suffering when it comes to some areas of commercial
support.  Specifically, some areas of hardware still need better vendor
support.  Wrapper products obviously help guys like you and me, but I'm
not sure that I would claim this as a clear victory.

> 
> Mandrake 10.0 is awesome.

Couldn't agree more!

> OpenOffice is a GREAT system. So what if it screws up incoming word
> documents, I can save in Word format flawlessly, and that's how I send into
> to my clients. Excel as well.

I run my office, and have for years, on Star Office/Open Office. 
Occationally, I still need to use my windows box (used for Quick Books and
Office) to filter and/or validate formating.  But frankly, I find simply
spitting out documents in PDF to be ideal.  In fact, I'm finding that it's
percieved as more professional and that, "extra touch."  Accordingly, Open
Office takes care of 95+% of my office document needs.  And yes, I do
exchange a large number of Power Point presentations, Excel spreadsheets,
and MS Word documents.

> 
> GCC, G++ not the best compiler in the world, but what is? It is certainly
> better than MSC, MSC++.
> 

Hmm.  This is tough.  "Better" is always subjective.  If more compliant
and crossplatform is your definition of "better", then GNU's solution is
certainly a contender.  If faster compile times and tighter, faster code
is your definition, then I think the needle is going to point toward MS'
corner.  Even still, I think g++ is excellent technology and is clearly
getting better with every release.  Regardless of which metric you use,
GNU's tool suite is excellent and is world class.  Especially when you
consider the diverse platforms that it runs on.

> Sun Java works great.

It does, but Java doesn't exactly get me excited.  Everytime I try to
learn it, and I have made several serious attempts, I feel like I'm being
punished.  Coming from a C/C++ background, I find that just about
everything in Java is painful and slow.  With the release of Java 1.5 and
the associated new language features, I think I'll finally be able to
adopt Java and call it a success.  Until such time, IMO, I consider Java
to be a success out of spite for MS, well, and the fact that it's
multiplatform.

> 
> Say what you want, but the Gimp rocks.

Again, I complete agree.  Since I'm not a professional photo editor, Gimp
easily satisfies my needs.  For non-professionals, anyone that actually
purchased photoshop, IMO, simply wasted their money.

> 
> After using mkisofs directly for years, I got lazy and used K3B, not bad,
> not bad at all.

Gcombust, K3B, Gnome-toaster and Nautilus Burner, are all pretty easy to
use and powerful (save the last, which is simply as easy as easy can get).

> 
> Gaim, as always, the best instant messenger.
> 

Don't know about "best", but it clearly is pretty good stuff.

> Sqirrelmail for my company.

As a past user, again, I find that I agree.  It's pretty good stuff and
can run on fairly lightweight hardware.

> 
> And, as more exploits and problems with IE are exposed, the support for
> Mozilla and Opra expand. Win for us!

IE is clearly past it's prime and the concempt MS shows for both it's user
base and lack of standards support clearly shows how little they care
about their customers.  Again, I have to agree.

I hope you don't mind my offerings, playing off of your excellent advocacy.

Cheers,

Greg

On Wed, 29 Sep 2004 13:30:15 +0000, General Protection Fault wrote:

> Does pgsql8 have full-text search?

PostgreSQL has had full-text search capabilities for years now.  There are
currently two significant projects, both of which are available as either
"contrib" or defacto source projects (available via gborg, etc).  If you
need such capabilities, you can have them now, with current PostgreSQL
offerings.

I find that MySQL-biased people, whom get lots of wrong and inaccurate
information from their MySQL channels, are often surprised to find that
PostgreSQL has had multiple solutions for years.  I'm not sure if you fall
into this category or not.  But, if you do, the farther you get from the
MySQL world, the better you're going to be.  This is true from not only an
educational and informational stand point, but also from a technology
perspective too.

Cheers,

Greg

On Wed, 29 Sep 2004 13:24:28 -0500, Greg Copeland wrote:
> On Wed, 29 Sep 2004 13:30:15 +0000, General Protection Fault wrote:
>
>> Does pgsql8 have full-text search?
>
> PostgreSQL has had full-text search capabilities for years now.  There are
> currently two significant projects, both of which are available as either
> "contrib" or defacto source projects (available via gborg, etc).  If you
> need such capabilities, you can have them now, with current PostgreSQL
> offerings.

I'll have to try it.  I have to to substring searches through 6.7 million
rows (and growing by 20,000 every day).  MSSQL will do it instantaneously
using a CONTAINS operator.

> I find that MySQL-biased people, whom get lots of wrong and inaccurate
> information from their MySQL channels, are often surprised to find that
> PostgreSQL has had multiple solutions for years.  I'm not sure if you fall
> into this category or not.  But, if you do, the farther you get from the
> MySQL world, the better you're going to be.  This is true from not only an
> educational and informational stand point, but also from a technology
> perspective too.

I find that people who think MySQL is a Good Database don't know what
a Real Database does.


-- 
FreeBSD 4.8-RELEASE i386
 2:15PM  up 18 days, 20:38, 1 user, load averages: 0.06, 0.03, 0.01

On Wed, 29 Sep 2004 19:20:55 +0000, General Protection Fault wrote:

> On Wed, 29 Sep 2004 13:24:28 -0500, Greg Copeland wrote:
>> need such capabilities, you can have them now, with current PostgreSQL
>> offerings.
> 
> I'll have to try it.  I have to to substring searches through 6.7 million
> rows (and growing by 20,000 every day).  MSSQL will do it instantaneously
> using a CONTAINS operator.

I would be interested to hear about your feedback.  If not offered here,
then perhaps a posting to the Performance PostgreSQL mailing list.

Should you encounter any performance turning questions or issues, be sure
to hit a mailing list.  The PostgreSQL community is more than happy to
help so long as it's  reasonable request.


[snip]
> 
> I find that people who think MySQL is a Good Database don't know what
> a Real Database does.

I have to agree with you.

Cheers,

Greg

mlw poked his little head through the XP firewall and said:

> So, why pay MS anything?

Why indeed?

-- 
The only entities that care about Linux market share are commercial
entities, and they represent only the tip of the iceberg.
Penguins love icebergs.