What did we fail to understand about database applications?  Do you have a different opinion?

MySQL has an optional package that installed the MySQL Administrator and MySQL Query Browser applications.  It’s obvious from both of these tools that they’ve spent a lot of time and effort in making these tools usable and for the most part I was happy with their smoothness in Mac OS X.  They definitely don’t feel like a port of Windows apps to Mac OS X.  (Without using them in Windows I can’t tell you that the opposite is true or not, however.)

The REALbasic MySQL Plugin now available from Alacatia Labs at http://alacatialabs.com/products/realbasic-mysql-plugin/ and works with the Community and Enterprise Edition.  I had absolutely no problems connecting to my newly installed database (after adding a new db and user using the Administrator tool).

If it weren’t for the stupid licensing issues that accompany MySQL I’d recommend it for everyday use.  Alas, the licensing issues make that problematic.  From the Alactia Labs website:

It allows access to community installations of MySQL database servers using REALbasic’s built-in database API. While we are not lawyers, our interpretation of the GPL is that it is viral, and any applications that are distributed publicly must also contain the source code of the application and plugin. If you are in doubt about how the GPL applies to you, please consult your attorney.

Emphasis added by me.
That sucks because I think they’ve got some things going for it.  I know a lot of RB developers have stopped using MySQL due to the GPL licensing rules and I can’t say that I blame them.  Oh well, I guess it’s time to look at PostgreSQL or maybe MS SQL Server.