As a new comer to this site I didn't feel it was necessary to make any comment either way on the issue of the sale or the possible ramifications to editorial independence. However one thought struck me at the time and I thought it might be worth raising. As a new user of SQL Server I did extensive research into the product before deciding that this was the right one for me. I read articles and books, talked to friends, colleagues and acquaintances and generally did my homework; I’m a thorough type of person and probably no different to 99.9% of people in the IT industry when it comes to looking for solutions to business needs. Advertising does sway our choices evidenced by the fact that companies are willing to spend money on it. However, if we are doing our jobs properly we should make informed choices and that behooves us to look at more than one source for our information. If people fail to make the correct decisions when they buy a product that supports their business requirements then they and their business are at a disadvantage, a disadvantage that others will be more than happy to exploit.

In a free market there will always be an outlet for advertising £'s. If Red Gate were to close the doors on competitors advertising or remove editorial independence it would only be a matter of time before an outlet was found for that money and copy. The fate of many a Goliath is to be slain by a David of his own making.