I’m only the last one commenting on what I consider the news of the week: Microsoft SQL for Linux.
It’s huge news indeed, and it is perfectly aligned with the new Microsoft. Windows Operating System, both the client and the Server (and Mobile if it would count), are no longer the core business for Microsoft, the Cloud is! And this is why their strategy is all about giving you as many options as possible to consume their cloud services (Azure and Office 365).
Just to make it clear, Linux counts for 25% of Azure instances and Linux is relevant, if not predominant, for any other service provider and in any datacenter of this world. SQL on Linux is just an additional option for who uses Linux instead of Windows OS.
Side note: There is more, with a marketing campaign targeted at Oracle users, Microsoft is going to give away SQL Server for free to Linux users who will switch from Oracle! And I love it, this is a great move. First because it will hit Oracle where it hurts (and this is always a good thing), and secondly because it will enable end users to put some pressure on Oracle and hopefully get discounts on support services. More users will love Microsoft for this, even if the won’t switch, 😉