Its about time...

It's about time to deprecate MySQL library and use MySQLi instead.
Yes, it will cause problems, but its deprecation will make it easier for PHP devs to maintain PHP, which will benefit PHP coders. In most cases, people don't realize how easy it is to switch from MYSQL to MySQLi, mainly all you have to do is literally replace every mysql_ with mysqli_ in your code and you are using MySQLi! Some are talking about how expensive and hard it will be to switch... unless every single function in mysql library is being used, Im sure it will not take more than one day to upgrade 80% of websites/frameworks currently out there.

Not as simple as just replacing calls. One is object-oriented, the other is not... BIG difference.

Well, mysqli includes a procedural API. And conversion scripts will exist. Whatever the case, there is no need to panic.

Yes, MySQLi includes both object oriented and procedural style. I also thought that if people need MySQL library so badly, it can be moved to PECL or other place like that, and be maintained by all people who need it that badly, this would leave MySQL to those who need it and relief PHP devs from maintaining it.

Except that if it is not shipped in the main PHP distribution, many shared hosting providers will not add it and their customers cannot use it.

Furthermore leaving it in PECL or in the main distribution does not give more nor less work to PHP core developers, as keeping it in the main distribution will not require them to evolve it further, as it happens today.