Oracle, DB2 or SQL Server? (1 Viewer)

Oracle Express Edition, DB2 Express Edition-C, and SQL Server Express Edition.

Which one would you develop for / work with if you had a choice (SQL Server, Oracle, or DB2)?

I am thinking of making a database application with one of the above and the criteria is:

Great support, community
Rock Solid and stable; where some clients do not have a DBA
Fast
Easy to back-up and restore
Relatively easy to program and develop
Easy to deploy and scale

The general direction I am getting from a few people is leaning toward SQL Server Express. They say it is easier to work with than Oracle, (supposedly Oracle is not for the faint hearted especially when there are network issues) but Oracle is faster and maybe more stable than the others. Haven't really heard anything about DB2...

MySQL is out, simply because of the price of an OEM for a desktop application that can be expanded later is too high for what I want to do.

Thoughts?

Thanks

Wind,

I've use ORACLE products for many years, but for the last few it's
been mostly SQL Server. Haven't used DB2.

ORACLE has a very large established community as does SQL Server.

I'd have to give an edge to ORACLE with respect to stability.

I don't give either any disadvantages for performance.

ORACLE has selective restores which can be convenient if you
need it.

In general, ORACLE is more capable, more complex to manage and
costs more to implement. I haven't bought any ORACLE products
for a few years, but they were always the priciest option.

Just a few thoughts,

Wayne