Oracle

Are we talking Oracle application tools or the DB itself? Biased here, since I'm a certified 8/8i/9i DBA. Extremely powerful, especially with PL/SQL and OO from 8 on, though on several occasions I've used Enterprise for small to medium sized shops without a hitch. M$ twerps will whine and bitch about how easier SQL Server is to use, and to a degree it's true, but what you get in ease of use you lose in scalability, security and performance. If you think SQL Server is better than Oracle, stick with Alpha Four and leave the real work to the big dogs... Which reminds me. I wonder if 11g will work on Windows 7 Ultimate?

Liked oracle, spent months using it at college, very easy to come to grips with if you have an understanding of SQL.

I have been desiging business software for 27 years and Oracle is so far advansed, Reliable and easy to use. I have been able to put together a team of 10 developers and in less then 6 months bring up a fully functional production and order control system.