2011-04-14

Update from the MySQL users conference

I just finished the MariaDB future planning BoF session, which was more about discussing the distinct flavor of the home made black vodka than about future MariaDB features. It was still a very good BoF and there is still time for those interested to add their future request to the plans.

I have never before spent such much time preparing a keynote, and it looks like my attempts to present something a bit different were appreciated. You can find a copy of the keynote and video of it at the MySQL conference web site.

I would, however, like to offer a correction. A couple of days before the conference I had been told by someone (someone that I had all reasons to believe was a reliable source) that there were only 54 of the original 400-450 MySQL Ab people left at Oracle. I asked a lot of former Oracle employees if this figure could be accurate and everyone told me that that the figure sounded low, but they could believe it. I could not find anyone in Oracle willing to comment upon it before the keynote. Now I have finally been able to verify this and there is still closer to 200 original MySQL Ab people left at Oracle working with MySQL.

My statement that it's only the InnoDB, NDB and most part of the replication team that are intact and that there is only 2 original core MySQL developers left is however accurate. My apologies for the wrong initial number of total people left, but I was in good belief regarding it!

To make things clear, I am not in any way trying to downplay the hard work the MySQL developers (and other MySQL people) are doing. They are doing an amazing job, with the resources they have at their disposal.

My point was that I am worried that the MySQL developer and support ecosystem is slowly falling apart because people are leaving Oracle and going to other companies where they are not anymore participating in the MySQL development. That is why companies like Monty Program Ab and SkySQL are important as we help keep the ecosystem together by having people working on the same thing they did before!

Apart from this, it has been a great conference and it's been a true pleasure to meet all of the 'old MySQL conference gang' yet another time!

2011-04-09

Planning for MariaDB 5.6 at the MySQL Conference 2011

Planning for MariaDB 5.6 at the MySQL Conference 2011

A couple of weeks ago we had a Monty Program Ab and MariaDB developers meeting in Lisbon.

MariaDB 5.3 / 5.5 are now almost in beta (the last features will be pushed directly after the MySQL conference) and it was time to start considering what features should be in the next MariaDB release.

The meeting was open to anyone and we were lucky to have several other companies than just Monty Program Ab involved in the discussions!

During the meeting we created a list of features we would like to see in the MariaDB 5.6 release.

Some of the features are already allocated to developers. Others are waiting for developers willing to do the development or sponsors willing to pay for getting things done. If you are interested in doing or sponsoring some MariaDB development, check the list out and assign your name to the features!

This list is still open for new additions until 5.3 / 5.5 is in gamma. (In practice probably a few months). If you think something critical for you is missing, feel free add the things you want to see done. If you can commit to do them, then it's of course even better!

The MySQL users conference 2011 is starting next week. I plan to organize a MariaDB BoF where we can together discuss the plans for 5.6 and collect requests and suggestions. Black drinks and chocolate will be served, so come prepared!

Most of the developers of Monty Program Ab will be at the conference and we will also have a booth so you should have no problem in finding someone to talk to about MariaDB there.

Monty Program Ab is also organizing a MySQL/MariaDB/Drizzle store engine summit. Follow the link if you are interested in attending!

Don't miss my keynote on Wednesday morning! There should be a couple of surprises for everyone in it...

Looking forward to another interesting conference!