MySQL cofounder David Axmark leaving Sun

From InfoWorld: David Axmark, a cofounder and former lead engineer for MySQL, has resigned from Sun Microsystems a few weeks after another cofounder said he may also leave the company.

"I have thought about my role at Sun and decided that I am better off in smaller organisations," Axmark wrote in his resignation letter, according to a blog post Tuesday from Kaj Arno, head of MySQL community relations.

"I HATE all the rules that I need to follow, and I also HATE breaking them. It would be far better for me to 'retire' from employment and work with MySQL and Sun on a less formal basis," Axmark wrote. His last day with Sun will be Nov. 10, Arno said via instant message from Germany.

Axmark filled several important roles at MySQL over the years, including head of engineering, head of internal IT and head of community relations. It's because of Axmark that MySQL is open-source software, according to Arno. Another cofounder, Michael "Monty" Widenius, had planned it to be closed source, he said.

His departure will be a setback for Sun, which acquired MySQL for $1 billion in January and hopes to attract new developers to the database.

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