"Direct, unambiguous numbers" - it is amazing what you base on faith, and it is even more amazing the circular arguments you present. Tell me, since you want to advocate Garner's numbers, what do you think Gartner based the numbers on? How do you think they compiled these statistics?

You didn't read a word I said. I stated several times that Oracle is still the market leader. The purpose of the case studies, is to show documentation of where SQL Server is beating Oracle. Back earlier in the decade, you saw little of this. Now the market is seeing more. But I'm not sure you get it.

As far as "gnawing off my own arm", at least I have an arm in the market to begin with. More like two arms. I will gladly put my CV and experiences and where I have my thumb in the pie, up against yours, any day. Just say the word.