I worked some with Oracle 6, 7, and (early) 8, skipped 9 entirely (apparently a good thing) and now am back in with version 10.   In between I've mostly worked with Microsoft Sql Server, but also with DB2, MySql, and PostgresSql.  I'm not religious about any of them, but re-familiarizing myself with Oracle 10g has given rise to this analogy.  Think of sql server as a new Corvette. the leather interior smells great. the engine has that low throb at idle.  You're pretty sure that punching the gas hard could get you in trouble.  It's not a Ferrari, a Maserati, a dragster, or a Formula 1 car; but it gets the job done.

Oracle, in comparison, feels like a hot-rodded 1968 Camaro.  454 engine.  600 horsepower.  Every bolt torqued to spec.  Every body panel cleaned and polished.  It has all the performance features you can imagine: headers, high-rise manifold, Holly carb, turbocharger, suspension package, custom seats, trick wheels, lots of Goodyear rubber - everything!  And, nice as that Corvette is, the hot-rodded '68 will whoop it nicely.

Here's the difference.  You can go to the chevy dealership with dollars in hand and drive out with that Corvette.  It'll be a lot of fun.  Chicks'll dig it.  Keep it in the garage.  Get it serviced on schedule.  Trade it in when you're ready for a new model.  It will just work.

The '68 is a little different.  The guy driving around in this thing is not just a car owner, not just a driver, he's a hot rodder!  He lives and breaths his machine.  No one knows it like he does.  No one else knows how he got that custom-ground camshaft to work with those wild roller rockers.  He’s the only one who knows the work the work it took to tune the turbo gate.  He alone knows his custom-made beast and he's quite proud of the fact.   Such is the life of an Oracle DBA.

Just my observation. Your mileage may vary.