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db2

Personal library database

Book DB presents bookworms and small lending libraries with a way to keep track of books. Though the program was easy to use, we found its interface lacking any kind of flexibility for customization.

The program's interface is very bare bones in appearance and left much to be desired. From there, you can print a copy of the database and export it as an HTML or TXT file, which is handy. We entered a few titles into the program and discovered that you do not have to fill out every blank in the entry form, but you must enter … Read more

IBM won't open source DB2. Is this a surprise?

When I first saw ZDNet reporting that IBM may open source its DB2 database, I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. The comment that led to the report? "We have a light version of the product offered for free, which is a step towards exposing our core (DB2) technology." This was made by a UK-based director-level IBMer, which probably wouldn't be the person one would expect to reveal Big Blue's plans to open source core technology.

Regardless, IBM isn't in the habit of open sourcing technology in which it has a lead or … Read more

Microsoft stirs up a price war in the database market

Even as MySQL and PosgreSQL yank the carpet out from under Oracle and Microsoft, Microsoft is turning the other cheek by cutting Oracle off at the knees on price, as Mary Jo Foley reports:

Microsoft officials announced on September 19 that they have no plans to increase the price of SQL Server 2008 beyond what the company already charges for SQL Server 2005. Microsoft execs also announced that, starting today,… Read more

IBM starts beta program for Viper 2 database

IBM on Thursday said that it has opened a beta program for Viper 2, the follow-on to an XML-capable database it released about a year ago.

IBM's DB2 9 "Viper" database has the ability to handle both XML-formatted and relational information natively. The successor, called Viper 2, will enhance the features of Viper, including XML indexing capabilities, security and storage, IBM said.