Memberships

Hi, I'm Colin Charles. With over 19 years professionally in the database industry, and nearly three decades in open-source software, I've had the privilege of witnessing some of the most significant developments in the database world. From being an early employee at MySQL, to co-founding MariaDB Server, I've seen many things — from billion-dollar acquisitions to the rise of new database technologies that have reshaped our industry.

Why Become a Database Times Member?

The database landscape is more dynamic than ever. We’ve moved from a world where MySQL, and PostgreSQL were the primary open-source databases to an era filled with innovations like MongoDB, Elastic, and countless others. However, with so much information scattered across various platforms—mailing lists, Slack channels, LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), and more—keeping up has become nearly impossible.

As a database professional — whether you’re a DBA, in DevOps, an engineer, developer, or CTO – your time is valuable. You need reliable, in-depth insights to make informed decisions that will stand the test of time. That’s where Database Times comes in.

What You’ll Get with a Membership:

  1. Weekly Deep Dives: Receive meticulously researched articles, and analysis focused exclusively on the database market. Whether it’s a detailed examination of a new feature, an interview with industry leaders, or a business analysis, you’ll get content that cuts through the noise.
  2. Weekly News Roundup: Stay updated with a concise newsletter that highlights the most critical developments in the database world – curated so you don’t have to sift through endless content.
  3. Monthly White Papers & Scorecards: Gain access to white papers and scorecards that provide in-depth evaluations of databases, features, and implementation practices.
  4. Exclusive Access to a Members-Only Community: Join a members-only chatroom where you can engage with peers, exchange insights, and get answers to your pressing questions. Accessible through your web browser or as a Progressive Web App (PWA) on mobile, it’s a community designed for you.

You can support as a yearly member (USD$268), and receive:

  • members-only newsletters + archives
  • full access to the members-only website
  • full access to the community chatroom (access provided within 24-hours of becoming a member)
  • all access to the whitepapers, screencasts, field notes, etc.
  • members-only Office Hours sessions (get answers to frequently asked questions)
  • future discounts on forthcoming books, and courses
  • and you can expect a whole lot more

You can also support as a life member (USD$1,500) and receive:

  • all of the above, plus an even greater discount (50%) on forthcoming courses
  • eternal gratitude
  • a Database Times branded item (it might be a t-shirt to start)
  • mentioned as a life member on the website
  • “receive” a discount after 5+ years of membership!

Note that as a life member you will get an email from me after becoming a member, and your site access will be fully granted within 24-hours. Life memberships are limited in quantity. Jump in now!

If you would like to pay by PayPal (American Express), or Wise, or even crypto-currency, this is also accepted, please send an e-mail to: colin@databasetimes.com and you will be granted access within 24-hours.

Why Database Times?

Database Times isn’t just another blog or newsletter — it’s a full-fledged membership that grows in value over time. You’ll get early access to reports, screencasts, webinars, and field notes, with new content and features added regularly. And because the database world is global, expect to hear from practitioners not just in the U.S., but in countries like Japan, South Korea, China, France, and beyond.

This is the membership you’ve been waiting for — unbiased, jargon-free, and always relevant.

Don’t Miss Out! As databases continue to evolve, staying informed is critical. Secure your membership now and ensure you’re always in the know.

Posting Schedule

All posts will arrive 5-9am Eastern time (10am-2pm UTC). The Weekly News Roundup (Last Week In Data) will arrive on Monday morning, a weekly deep dive will arrive on Thursday morning, and there may be bonus content on Friday mornings too, particularly on news heavy weeks.

Expensing Your Subscription

If you would like an invoice, to expense your subscription, send an email to colin@databasetimes.com. Typically this can be expensed from your learning & development budget.