PostgreSQL vs MySQL benchmark

Pushed by the latest news about MySQL stopping to provide Windows binaries and the split between a community edition and a enterprise server I started to look for other options. The first one is without doubt PostgreSQL. The first things you will hear about PostgreSQL is that it is technically superior to MySQL - and this is true - but way slower. There are few side by side benchmarks to be found so I thought to check the second statement using latest available versions.
The results are from a TPC-C like benchmark ("it combines read-only and update intensive transactions simulating the activities found in complex OLTP enterprise environments"). I used MySQL 5.0.27 (innodb) and PostgreSQL 8.2.1 with comparable memory and disc settings. Database size is about 80MB for each test (5000 - 300000 rows/table) and the number of concurrent users ranges from 1 to 20. I think this is a good testing scenario but if you have suggestions or other results please comment. Here are the results (500MHz PIII, 256 MB RAM, 2 IDE HDDs - client on different computer, 100MB/s network):

Transactions/second (MySQL, PostgreSQL)

Transaction graph MySQL

Transaction graph PostgreSQL

Timeout errors MySQL

Timeout errors PostgreSQL

Conclusions:

• PostgreSQL was slower at populating the database.
• MySQL is faster overall overall (~2x faster).
• No timeout errors for PostgreSQL. Interesting.
  
• Maybe there is more room for improvements in PostgreSQL config file.

More links on the subject:
http://monstera.man.poznan.pl/wiki/index.php/Mysql_vs_postgres
http://www.mysqlperformanceblog.com/2006/11/30/interesting-mysql-and-postgresql-benchmarks/
http://tweakers.net/reviews/657/6
http://tweakers.net/reviews/649/9
http://benchw.sourceforge.net/benchw_results_open3.html
http://www-css.fnal.gov/dsg/external/freeware/pgsql-vs-mysql.htm

Top 10 Linux problems

Here's an interesting result of a linux a distancia poll. Although there were not too many votes this poll is relevant and even addicted Linux users will agree with some of these problems (like I agree that Windows development process is out of control for example). English (partial) translation:

1. The worse Linux problem: installation of applications
Installation of applications in Linux seems to be its greater problem. People mention problems with the diversity of distributions, dependencies, conflicts with versions, compilation problems, etc.
2. Lack of drivers
Even if drivers exists people have problems in finding the version that corresponds to the distribution which they are using.
3. Deficiency of a standard
In many cases can be a true problem. The people suggested that when they become familiar to a distribution, the next version is totally different. Or when they change the distribution, the files are stored in other locations. Almost all the voters suggest the differences in the interface, differences in the availability of the commands and the differences in the configuration of the applications make difficult the learning of this operating system.
4. Problems with modems
This seems to be the device most complicated to run in Linux.
5. Linux is slow
21 votes mention that Linux is much more slow that Windows XP.
6. “X” applications
17 votes mention the lack of availability of applications for Linux. Particularly they stand out the lack of applications to use for web design, audio production, graphic design, etc. Also there were many commentaries of the type “lack good games for Linux”.
7. The GUI has deficiencies
With 14 votes, problems in the more popular visual interfaces as GNOME and KDE are located in the seventh position. Problems of usability, management, etc. appear in the descriptions of the users. Many people complain that “Linux does not order the icons automatically”.
8. Problems with printers/new hardware
Printer appears like the second device more difficult to use in Linux. Other 13 votes suggest the “new hardware” is practically impossible to install/use in Linux.
9. Linux is seen “ugly”/“is difficult to use”
11 votes suggest Linux is seen “ugly” compared with other operating systems. Other 11 votes suggest simply “is more difficult to use that Windows” without giving too many explanations of the cause.
10. Problems using the scanner/complicated File system
Scanner seem to be another one of the devices most difficult to run in Linux. Finally, 10 votes suggest the Linux file system is “too complicated”.

Personally I agree with 1, 3, 6, 7.

Biggest Linux problem: it makes users think

This is a important problem posted by Jordi Sánchez regarding the factors that play against the expansion of Linux between the less expert users: Linux makes us think. As paradoxical as it seems, that is a factor against Linux and we can find a similar idea in another area, web usability. Steve Krug has a good book on this ("Don't make me think"). In the beginning of his book you can find that that if a user must ask itself how your site works your site has a problem, not the user and that's because his intent is not to know how your website works but to find information.

The mission of a normal computer user is neither to install an operating system nor to know how it works, but to use the computer for his specific necessities: to publish texts, to browse the Internet, etc. Normally he will choose the way that makes this less difficult and, still in many occasions, that means to install Windows. To use Windows implies “to think little”: normally the last version available is chosen and installed, it includes the software needed to browse the Web (Internet Explorer) and in addition the user knows that almost any hardware is going to be compatible with Windows. He may know that Windows is not the optimal solution for him, but is the one that solves his necessities with less effort.

What about Linux? It is well known that it can have technical, economic or ethical advantages on Windows. But it makes us think and make too many decisions:

• What hardware we need?
• What distribution should we choose? (and there are many)
• How will we maintain and update our system?
• What desktop environment should we choose?
• Why I need to compile applications?
  
• and so on...

Some major Linux distributions made great progresses to provide answers to these questions but I'm sure you still cannot use Linux without opening a single terminal window. But the solution is neither simple nor near because to make users think less developers should think allot!