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Feature: Java
Commentary: Sun continues slow walk toward open source Java
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CommentsSection 2.1(d) of the CDDL states:
Notwithstanding Section 2.1(b) above, no patent license is granted: (1) for code that You delete from the Original Software, or (2) for infringements caused by: (i) the modification of the Original Software, or (ii) the combination of the Original Software with other software or devices.
So Sun, as license steward, is off the patent license hook if renegade code results that does not conform to the letter of the license. As long as the modified code is shared correctly, as either a commercial or non-profit product, Sun will stand behind it.
The application server also will be made available under the new Java Research License, which lets developers reconfigure code for academic and research use.
This is a decisive move -- for Sun, that is -- toward the company’s ultimate goal: opening all the Java 2 Enterprise Edition code for all developers, foreign and domestic. But there is no way that will happen anytime soon. There are many contractual strings attached. But Sun does have a clear -- albeit slow-moving -- protocol in this regard.
Last November, the struggling Santa Clara, Calif.-based hardware/software/services giant announced that it would open the code for the upcoming Solaris X release and then made good on the promise, releasing it on Feb. 1. OK, fair move – for Solaris developers. In January, the company said it would open the code for its spiffy new DTrace tool, a new framework for troubleshooting a network and tuning system performance in real time. Never mind that it comes with Solaris X; it can be used in other systems, too. Another fair move.
On May 13, Sun graciously gave its blessing to a special task force from the Apache Software Foundation to build its own open source edition of the standard version of Java, J2SE. A daunting task, to be sure, but Sun gave the team the thumbs up and wished them well.
Sun President Jonathan Schwartz told the crowd of developers in his JavaOne opening keynote that sharing the Java application server code is “truly a multi-billion dollar market opportunity,” and added that all software would ultimately trend toward free and open source.
Sun last month began a $50 million advertising campaign to revamp its brand, which is its biggest brand revamp ever. The company used some of its clients, including eBay (EBAY) and General Motors (GM), to show how its services help connect people and businesses.
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on Commentary: Sun continues slow walk toward open source JavaNote: Comments are owned by the poster. We are not responsible for their content.
Sun is doomed
Posted by: Anonymous Coward on June 28, 2005 10:17 PM<a href="http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/02/16/sun_os_layoffs/" title="theregister.co.uk">Sun burns Solaris and Linux staffers</a theregister.co.uk>
Sources have informed The Register that a larger number of staffers in Sun's operating platforms group have been shown the door. Many of these workers had been cranking away on new versions of Solaris and the Java Desktop System - Sun's version of Linux. With that work mostly completed, the staffers became expendable to Sun. This looks like the tail-end of a long round of layoffs, which started last year and claimed more than 3,000 jobs.
A large chunk of staff in the UK were particularly hard hit, according to our sources. The layoffs generated comments such as "Sun is decommitting from Linux" and "Sun has abandoned Linux."
And it doesn't stop there:
Sun layoffs <a href="http://www.theregister.com/2005/06/24/sun_layoffs_2006/" title="theregister.com">hit hundreds in US</a theregister.com>
Sun Microsystems has laid off several hundred workers in the US, Canada and Latin America, as it continues to try and cut costs, El Reg can confirm.
Sources this week told The Register that engineering and sales staffers were particularly hard hit by the most recent cuts. Sun declined to provide specific details on what areas were affected or exactly how many cuts were made but did confirm some layoffs.
Sun is in the fight of its life and it lays off engineers? And sales staff?
Does this sound like a healthy company to you? A company you will trust your data with? Trust your business with?
Sun employees, the growth as you already know is in Linux. The future is Linux. Your skills are transferable to Linux. Get your resumes ready. Refresh them. If you haven't already, start making some calls. Put out some feelers. You'll be welcomed into the Linux fold with open arms. Your skills are appreciated in the Linux community. You'll be moving to a growing community, not a continually shrinking one over at Sun. The time to make the move is now. Pick up the phone. Don't wait. Do it today. Move to the winning team. Move to Linux. Sun is doomed. Scott knows it, Jonathan knows it, you know it and we know it. Scott and Jonathan have nothing to worry about. All their stock is vested. All their options are in the money. Their golden parachutes are already packed. What about you? Have they set up a golden parachute for you? Or will you be summoned to the supervisor's office one day, and the next thing you know is you are packing your cardboard box with your personal effects under the supervision of a supervisor or plain clothed security person? Will you find out about your termination by no longer being able to log into your account at your desktop? Or will you choose to control your own destiny and make the move before its made for you?
Sun in its glory days was great. No longer. Linux is now. Linux is the future. As great an engineer as you were at Sun, when there is no revenue to support your position, you are gone regardless of who you are. Join the winning team. Join us in the Linux community. Do it today.
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