XPost: comp.databases.ibm-db2   
   From: markbtownsend@comcast.net   
      
   Rhino wrote:   
      
   >   
   >   
   > So how can I ask this question in a way that will get a meaningful answer   
   > rather than in flames?   
   >   
   >   
      
   You can't - the exercise as you have it is a little facile. As a   
   suggestion, why not recommend a process to your friend, rather than just   
   an outcome. For  instance   
      
   1) Work out what criteria are most important for you, for the given   
   situation (for instance, how you evaluate software depends on what you   
   want to use the software for, and databases can be used for many things   
   - from simple data management, to high end OLTP, to very, very large   
   Data Warehouse environments, and even more lately, to Content   
   Management). Other options such as price, support, market support,   
   platforms availability etc may also be relevant.   
      
   2) Evaluate the different offerings against this criteria. This may   
   require that you research the product's web site, read the doc, perhaps   
   even download and try. Definitely talk to each vendors sales   
   representatives - typically try to get to the more technical sales   
   consultants. As you go, use the newsgroup to validate your understanding   
   of what each offering does and does not do, and what you may have been told.   
      
   3) When you come up with a potential best candidate, validate your   
   decision. Seek references that best match your criteria. Talk to the   
   technical people in each reference account. Also ask to talk to the   
   users in each reference account (the two are often at odds as to what is   
     actually happening).   
      
   4) Then choose Oracle :-)   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)