John,

>>Yes but that was way before the time we learned to code in layers. At least let me have the same database, Data objects and Bizz objects... irregardless >of what the platform is.
>
>Most frameworks today support different database engines (Postgres, MariaDB, MsSQL, Oracle, etc..). Platforms that might be different. MsSQL only runs on windows - but I believe the 'free' Postgres, Firebird and MariaDB run on windows, Mac's and Linux servers. Oracle on windows and LInux.
>
>So I guess if you want a database engine to run cross platform you're stuck with the 'free' versions of Postgres, Firebird and MariaDB.

You forgot the lianja database :)

>So which is it - you want cross platform databases or you want 'not free'?

Actually, the database is not my concern so much... It is all the code we have written in the past decade or so. We cannot afford to have different code for each platform. We need one codebase for at least the meat of the code we have written.

>Open source databases are tools.

>My obvious point here - 'open source' or 'free' tools are not a PIA to use or work with today. They continue to improve daily and that includes programming tools/frameworks. And what you describe as incomplete tools with bugs and to difficult to work with (my description of what you said) I don't agree with.

Let me clarify again... I'm not talking about tools like programming languages (not free databases). I'm talking about tools like add-ons to your programming environment. I'll give you real life examples.

We have been using leadtools activeX controls (granted, not free) for displaying images in our application. This control displays an extra empy menu bar in the windows menu. I have found no way to get rid of that. Second, it tends to bleed through pages of pageframes, leaving artifacts. In the beginning we also had stability problems with it.

We started with a free video capture solution, until the incompatibility problems occured in Windows Vista. The author did not develop the tool anymore, so we went for a paid one.

Same for compression. The compression library from craig boy has shown to have problems, but no chance to have it fixed.

We are using MS office to do spell checking. I wish we have never done that. Same for sending emails.

We were looking into a way to send text messages. We searched for free solutions and though everyone claimed to have a way to do this, we went with 3rd party software and a text message service provider. I don't need any extra headaches and the costs are absorbed by the client.

Now we are on a point to do DICOM. There is a lot of free stuff there, but really, I'm scared like hell we pick a solution and down the road we discover we are on the wrong track. So, I'd better buy a product plus hire a consultant to get us a solution.

My main point is that FREE tools are not necessarily cheap. It all depends on the amount of work you need to get it and keep it working for you.

Walter,