Lisa Vaas

True, the last time I weighed in on the 20-volume epic Oracle vs. PeopleSoft saga, Larry Ellison et al. had just upped the bid to a healthy $26 per share. The consummation of the deal looked like a shoo-in, barring the DoJs pulling the plug, I wrote. Well, hallelujah and praise be, that did indeed […]

In an effort to make it more secure, Microsoft Corp.s “Yukon” version of its SQL Server database will ship with certain features turned off, according to Microsoft Director of Product Management for SQL Server Tom Rizzo, in Redmond, Wash. Rizzo said that, while its too early to say exactly which features will be turned off, […]

Oracle Corp. last week revealed that a potential security vulnerability has been discovered in its Oracle9i Application Server and Oracle9i Database Server. The vulnerability is within SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) messages whose XML contains carefully constructed DTDs (Data Type Definitions), according to Oracle Technology Networks security alert, which can be viewed here. The alert […]

MySQL ABs open-source database license has long confused ISVs and others who want to support MySQL but arent sure whether they need to purchase a license. To remedy these licensing gray areas, MySQL is beta testing a new VAR program that will be rolled out at its user conference in April, officials said. The program […]

Oracle Corp.s recent attempt to lure SQL Server users away by lowering the price of its entry-level database will stumble once customers read the fine print, according to a new research note from AMR Research Inc. Oracle, of Redwood Shores, Calif., earlier this month slashed $1,000 off the price of Standard Edition One, its entry-level […]

In an effort to answer customer concerns about the Oracle-PeopleSoft takeover, Quest, a non-profit J.D. Edwards users group, has invited both Oracle Corp. and PeopleSoft Inc. executives to address its Quest West user conference, which takes place Feb. 29-March 2 in San Diego. Oracle President Chuck Phillips has accepted the offer and will address the […]

Although the U.S. Department of Justices Antitrust Division reportedly opposes Oracle Corp.s proposed takeover of PeopleSoft Inc., the deal is far from dead and now hinges on how the DoJ ultimately defines the competitive market that would be affected by the buyout, experts say. PeopleSoft earlier this week issued a statement saying that it had […]

As the deadline for Basel II compliance nears, IBMs business intelligence solutions group is readying a new DB2-based tool to help financial institutions comply. Karen Parrish, vice president of World Wide Sales for IBMs Business Intelligence Solutions, told eWEEK.com that Big Blue, of Armonk, N.Y., is preparing templates that will help Basel II-affected companies respond […]

Its been easy to scorn Oracles grubby cash tender offer of $19.50 per share for outstanding PeopleSoft shares. After all, PeopleSofts stock has been trading above that for some time. And its not only the insultingly low-ball offer thats made PeopleSoft customers and executives seethe at the deeply resented bid. PeopleSoft and its fans get […]

Oracle Corp. made a full, frontal assault on the midmarket on Tuesday when it released Oracle Database 10g at a price nearly identical to that of arch-midmarket competitor Microsoft Corp.s SQL Server database. IBM partners, Microsoft partners and analysts questioned, however, whether Oracle can learn how to pal around with the independent software vendors, systems […]

After comparing what are commonly thought of as the two most common and most popular open-source databases—MySQL and PostgreSQL—I was floored by the amount of mail I received regarding my ill-advised omission of the hotly popular Firebird open-source database. It just goes to show: If a product is freely downloaded, yet unmarketed, it can be […]

Oracle Corp.s recent declaration that 10g will cost the same as Microsoft Corp.s SQL Server isnt particularly impressive, given that for your money, you dont get reporting, business intelligence or plenty of other pricey Oracle add-ons, Microsoft Director of Product Management Tom Rizzo told eWEEK.com. “Its pretty much a P.R. stunt for them to get […]