I would tend to disagree that it will die. The recent new release of
innodb
(
http://www.innodb.com/wp/2009/03/11/innodb-plugin-version-103-for-mysql-5130-32-33-released/)
suggests that Oracle is not really interested in letting mysql die
completely. If I had to guess, I would say that mysql would probably
be somewhat revitalized by the acquisition. Sun has typically tended
to be where good ideas go to suffer a lengthy death... Oracle moves
deceptively yet true to its convictions, and never without a keen eye
for the market.
My guess? Oracle drops a few dollars on innodb, maybe even a few
back into Mysql, and pushes it to new heights in the open source RDBMS
world. I see some tough competition for postgres coming up, but hey,
competition has been known to drive innovation before. I would say
competitive times lay ahead.
Just my two pennies :)
--Scott