MySQL Acquired by SUN

Sun acquired MySQL as announced today. http://www.sun.com/aboutsun/pr/2008-01/sunflash.20080116.1.xml

I was very surprised by this notice.

MySQL Chief Executive Marten Mickos confirmed the acquisition attempt in an interview at the Open Source Business Conference here but wouldn’t provide details such as when the approach was made or how much money Oracle offered.

He did, however, say why he turned down Oracle’s offer: the desire to keep his company’s independence. “We will be part of a larger company, but it will be called MySQL,” Mickos said. ”

More:
http://blogs.mysql.com/kaj/2008/01/16/sun-acquires-mysql/

Google, AT&T, and Apple lead the pack when it comes to generating the most profits for shareholders

Three of last year’s fastest-growing tech companies are back at the top in 2007. Google (GOOG), AT&T (T), and Apple (AAPL) took the highest spots in a list that ranks companies by a combination of share performance, sales and profit growth, and return on equity, a measure of the company’s ability to generate profit on behalf of its shareholders. Performance is measured in the 12 months through Nov. 15, 2007.

Google does a better job than rivals such as Yahoo (YHOO) in wringing profits from online advertising, while AT&T is reaping the benefits from a flurry of acquisitions, including the 2006 purchase of BellSouth. Apple keeps on tapping demand for its iPod digital music player and in June introduced a music-playing cell phone called the iPhone.

To see which companies round out the top 10, Click here

Source: BusinessWeek.com