Re: MySQL+InnoDB vs. PostgreSQL test?

On Tue, 3 Feb 2004, Joshua D. Drake wrote:

> Christopher Browne wrote:
>
> >In an attempt to throw the authorities off his trail, JanWieck@Yahoo.com (Jan Wieck) transmitted:
> >
> >
> >>Josh Berkus wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >>>I've had requests from a couple of businesses to see results of
> >>>infomal MySQL
> >>>+InnoDB vs. PostgreSQL tests.    I know that we don't have the setup
> >>>to do full formal benchmarking, but surely someone in our community
> >>>has gone head-to-head on your own application?
> >>>
> >>>
> >>how does someone compare an Apache+PHP+MySQL "thing" against something
> >>implemented with half the stuff done in stored procedures and the
> >>entire business model guarded by referential integrity, custom
> >>triggers and whatnot?
> >>
> >>Seriously, I am tired of this kind of question. You gotta get bold
> >>enough to stand up in a "meeting" like that, say "guy's, you can ask
> >>me how this compares to Oracle ... but if you're seriously asking me
> >>how this compares to MySQL, call me again when you've done your
> >>homework".
> >>
> >>
> >
> >Actually, before saying anything in public about their products, check
> >out what they require for use of their protected trademarks.
> ><http://www.mysql.com/company/trademark.html>
> >
> >To wit, they indicate that:
> >
> >  "The MySQL AB Marks may not be used in a manner or with respect to
> >  products that will decrease the value of the MySQL AB Marks or
> >  otherwise impair or damage MySQL AB's brand integrity, reputation or
> >  goodwill"
> >
> >It seems to me that presenting a benchmark that did not favor their
> >product could be quite reasonably considered to be an "impairment" of
> >their integrity, reputation, or goodwill, and therefore be something
> >worthy of legal attack.
> >
> >
> It depends on how it is presented. Basically you just don't offer an
> opinion on the matter.
> For example...
>
> MySQL was 10x slower than PostgreSQL in this test....
>
> Instead you could use something like.
>
> We performed the following test.
>
> MySQL scored this much
> PostgreSQL scored this much

My guess is that what they are saying is that you can't make a program
like:

mysqlhelper

without their permission.

Using their mark in a review is fair use, and the only way they could get
you is if you either failed to attribute it, or had signed a license with
them saying you wouldn't do benchmarks, like how Oracle licenses their
software.