I realized in my first message that I was a bit unclear. I want Sun to
put Java on Linux on the same footing internally as Java on Windows or
Java on Solaris. I have no idea if this is realistic, because I don't
know enough about Sun politics. I think it is a reasonable goal
business-wise for Sun, though, and I think it would benefit the Linux
community.
I'm not arguing here that Sun should make Java all free, or even
generate special licensing terms to Blackdown. Personally, I'd rather
see all that effort go towards developing a free Java alternative,
like Japhar+Classpath. I'm asking that Sun devote internal effort to
Linux ports. From what I've heard, this wouldn't even be that much
work for them.
I firmly believe that Java is the future of Internet programming. And
I believe that Linux is best positioned to be the future of Internet
operating systems. How do we bridge the gap? My impression is that the
current deal with Sun isn't working out very well. Blackdown team,
correct me if I'm wrong. So maybe another tack is appropriate? I have
no idea if these goals are realistic, or even a good idea. But I want
to raise the issue, see what people think.
Another question for the mix - what's up now with the production
version of the JDK? Is there any hope of a Linux port of that? I hear
rumours that it is quite good.
>What worries me is that SUN will not give HotSpot for free so I don't
>know how the licensing will be worked out for the Blackdown organisation.
I don't expect Sun to give out HotSpot. I just want them to make a
commercial version for Linux as well, and release it at the same time
as the Windows version.
>I also read an article where the say that SUN was the last major
>company to endorse Linux I guess that they are scare of Linux and
>want to protect their beloved Solaris.
That's the politics of which I want to understand more. Personally, I
can't imagine anyone inside Sun thinking Solaris x86 is a viable long
term product. Is that accurate? And what's going on now with the SCSL?
Sun isn't just licensing the JDK under SCSL, it's licensing Solaris,
even the Sparc chip design. That's pretty amazing. Is this new
semi-open source movement in competition with Linux? Spiritual
cooperation? Unrelated?
[Feel free to answer me off-the-record, or anonymously, I'll respect
your privacy.]
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