History of Informix, how long, what marketshare, how stable

I'm currently evaluating Informix products to setup a database management system that will eventually need to be linked to AutoCAD objects. Currently Oracle and Informix are the only two that are supported in AutoCAD R12 for the Sun SparcStations. Oracle is too expensive, even if it spit gold, we couldn't afford the Anual costs. Informix may be about the same for the first year (maybe not) but the anual costs are a fraction of Oracle. I need to get a feeling of Informix as a whole. How long have they been in business How many use it to store data that is queried/modified from AutoCAD How stable is their Sun Sparc ONLINE server How well are the developer's tools for PC and Sun platforms (X11) How good is the tech support, esp availability How fast is turnaround for bug fixes, maintenance releases. Any and all comments would be greatly appreciated. -- =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Joseph P. DeCello III **Computer Asst.** Email: decello@cad.msu.edu Michigan State University CPP Phone: (517) 355-9582 Dept. of Campus Park and Planning hours: MWF 8-11,2-4 EDT