How many undergrads at UMD even know that much about SQL, much less distributed databases? Maybe 1 in 10? There's one course in our entire curriculum that focuses on databases. It seems to me that most applications store data (often in SQL databases), and that those applications are increasingly distributed. Irrespective of weather or not -you- plan on contributing to this particular "MySQL fork-of-the-month", a lot of students could probably benefit from exposure to the topic.
I could have said "if you ascribe to the notion that cloud computing is an increasingly dominant factor in the computer industry, and you plan on working for a company that produces web applications, does scientific computing, or produces any other application involving distributed data and/or processing of data then this presentation is a must!" That might have been a little more specific, but I think I fell asleep half way through writing it. The bottom line is that a lot of people think that this kind of data distribution strategy will become increasingly common in the computer industry, so it's relevant to our audience. So no, maybe they don't have to go to the presentation, but then again nobody has to go to the "JC Penny Sale of A Lifetime" either. BTW, now that you've weighed your two cents in you're obligated to come to the presentation and debate the technical merits of the application during our discussion period. :) > Whoa! I plan to work in the computer industry, so I _have_ to know about > MySQL fork-of-the-month? I mean, distributed databases are cool and all, > but I think you're getting a little too excited there...
