Stevewa,
You said
is there really any reason to use MySQL, when MariaDB does it all, and with a much smaller footprint and better performance? Just change the software requirements to be all MariaDB, and no MySQL...
I run a server with Mysql that also has other tasks using EasyPHP (LAMP server) for access over the network for scheduling applications and heap of other things. It is also in use for fault recording (Station technical problems) and other things.
They use Apache, PHP and MySQL. And they work just fine together with occasional use of each (except RadioDJ on 24/7/365) and no interactions or transactions between them - and more importantly, no problems. Rock solid.
Requiring me to change all of them over to MariaDb would mean I would replace RadioDJ with something that =will= handle MySQL or something that doesn't require either MySQL or MariaDB so I can continue to use the other applications as at present.
"My way or the Highway" is in my very honest opinion and experience, not a good way to go.
I will one day, install MariaDB on the server when I can get the rest all migrated away from it but it is way, way, way, way down the priority list of work to be done. We are about to move the station to new premises and the transmitter to a different location, possibly 25Km away. I don't have the time nor the inclination to change everything on top of my current workload.
Regards,
Chris