From:	 Michelle Malfy <mmalfy@beaupre.com>
To:	 "'corbet@lwn.net'" <corbet@lwn.net>
Subject: Great Bridge PostgreSQL 7.1 package announced
Date:	 Mon, 9 Jul 2001 12:43:26 -0400

Great Bridge (www.greatbridge.com), the first company to launch a
commercial release of the world's most advanced open source database -
PostgreSQL, announced Great Bridge PostgreSQL 7.1 today. 

Great Bridge has packaged the release with a graphical installer, leading
administration tools, professional documentation and an installation and
configuration support package.



Great Bridge announces launch of Great Bridge PostgreSQL 7.1, the latest
release of the world's most advanced open source database

New installation and support package removes entry barrier
to open source migration with QA-tested PostgreSQL 7.1

NORFOLK, VA., July 9, 2001 - Great Bridge, the open source pioneers who
launched the first-ever commercial release of the PostgreSQL database in
December 2000, today announced the launch of Great Bridge PostgreSQL 7.1,
the latest version of the world's most advanced open source database. Great
Bridge has packaged the release with a graphical installer, leading database
administration tools, professional documentation and an installation and
configuration support package to help application developers quickly and
easily deploy the power of PostgreSQL in advanced database-driven
applications.

This offering appeals to enterprise users seeking a powerful, full-featured
alternative to the costly licensing fees and poor technical support that
accompany proprietary database software. Great Bridge PostgreSQL 7.1 is a
feature-rich, object-relational database that delivers the functionality
required for advanced database-driven applications. Great Bridge PostgreSQL
7.1 offers strong enhancements and additions such as Great Bridge's
graphical installer, technical documentation including installation, user
and reference guides, advanced administration tools, 30 days installation
and configuration support, and one year of software updates. Great Bridge
PostgreSQL 7.1 platform support includes Linux (shipping 7/16/2001) and Sun
Solaris (shipping 8/6/2001).

"Great Bridge PostgreSQL 7.1 offers the cross-platform scalability,
reliability and performance required for today's enterprise computing," said
Robert Gilbert, Great Bridge's president and chief executive officer. "And
Great Bridge's support and service offerings provide the expertise and
accountability that application developers need to confidently deploy this
powerful open source database."

For application programmers and developers, Great Bridge PostgreSQL 7.1's
key features include:
* industry-standard compliance, including core ANSI SQL 92 support and ODBC
and JDBC APIs for broad application integration and compatibility;
* robust transaction support (ACID compliance);
* embedded C and multiple programming language support, including C/C++,
PHP, Perl, Tcl/Tk;
* advanced locking capabilities, including better-than-row-level-locking to
ensure that database writers never block readers;
* online backup and rollback for availability and recovery;
* extensibility, with object-oriented support for user-defined data types
and non-atomic data structures.

Great Bridge PostgreSQL 7.1 delivers the following new features and
enhancements from its previous release:
* write-ahead logging, which enables automatic recovery of databases
following a system crash;
* unlimited row size, which allows rows of any length to be stored with good
performance;
* outer joins, with full compliance with SQL 92 outer join syntax;
* new function manager;
* support for dynamic SQL, which will improve the process of porting from
other database packages that contain dynamic query execution capabilities;
* support for complex queries and a variety of new and modified utilities
and functions.

Pricing and availability

The 30-day installation and configuration support package for Great Bridge
PostgreSQL 7.1 is priced at $495 and includes the software, documentation
and a year of software updates. The package is available for pre-ordering
immediately. General availability for Great Bridge PostgreSQL 7.1 begins
Monday, July 16. Great Bridge offers additional support and services,
including 24x7 production support, hands-on implementation and development
consulting, and comprehensive training programs. 

About Great Bridge
Great Bridge LLC provides open source solutions powered by PostgreSQL, the
world's most advanced open source database. Great Bridge delivers
value-added open source software and support services based on PostgreSQL,
empowering e-business builders with an enterprise-class database and tools
at a fraction of the cost of closed, proprietary alternatives. Headquartered
in Norfolk, VA, Great Bridge is a privately held company funded by Landmark
Communications, Inc., the media company that also owns The Weather Channel,
weather.com, and national and international interests in newspapers,
broadcasting, electronic publishing and interactive media.
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