MongoDB really is the MySQL of the NoSQL movement (http://dieswaytoofast.blogspot.com/2012/02/mongodb-mysql-of-...), which really, really causes issues. AFAICT, the mind-set tends to be
(1) Theres this new thing called NoSQL
(2) MongoDB is the biggest NoSQL store out there, lets use it
(3) Profit!
Omitting a - critical - step, viz., "what are we trying to solve for here?". The result, of course, is either people getting burned, or a bit of a mess to unwind, neither of which is particularly fun (though it is "Profit!" for others!)
Riak's relative obscurity actually serves well in this regard. Odds are that if you discover Riak, you do so for a reason - you've been searching, you have a specific itch that needs to be scratched, etc. Given that you are already pretty clued when you get to it, you are extremely unlikely to pick it for the wrong reason, and consequently the success rate tends to be astonishingly high.
Mind you, I'll add that the folks at Basho are some of the nicest people I know, and that helps a lot :-)
Bottom line - I really don't expect Riak to go away anytime soon...
Riak's relative obscurity actually serves well in this regard. Odds are that if you discover Riak, you do so for a reason - you've been searching, you have a specific itch that needs to be scratched, etc. Given that you are already pretty clued when you get to it, you are extremely unlikely to pick it for the wrong reason, and consequently the success rate tends to be astonishingly high. Mind you, I'll add that the folks at Basho are some of the nicest people I know, and that helps a lot :-)
Bottom line - I really don't expect Riak to go away anytime soon...