In relation to the Microsoft/PRMIA event that Brian moderated at last night in New York, I spotted this article recently that tries to map out all the different databases that are now commercially available in some form, from SQL to No SQL and all the various incarnations and flavours in between:

http://gigaom.com/2012/12/20/confused-by-the-glut-of-new-databases-heres-a-map-for-you/

As Brian suggested in his recent post, It’s amazing to see how much the landscape has evolved from the domination (mantra?) that there was the relational way, or no way. Obviously times have moved on (er, I guess the Internet happened for one thing…) and people are now far more accepting of the need for different approaches to different types and sizes of business problems. That said, I agree with the article and comments that suggest there do seem to be far too many options available now – there has to be some consolidation coming otherwise it will become increasingly difficult to know where to start. Choice is a wonderful thing, but only in moderation!