In an open letter to Sun executives, the four companies [Intel Corp, Microsoft Corp, Digital Equipment Corp and Compaq Computer Corp] said they were concerned that Sun had too much control over a language that is quickly becoming one of the foundations of the Internet.
And these companies don't have too much control over technologies that are foundations for computing (INTEL=x86, MSFT=Windows, DEC=MSFT SUCKUP, CPQ=PC)?
Besides, what is Java, really?
Java is a language (like Visual Basic)
Java is a platform (like Windows)
Java is a Microprocessor (like x86 or Alpha), implemented in software
So - the companies that control vast monopolies over proprietary languages, platforms and microprocessors are crying bloody murder over another company exerting limited control over their own similar innovations? Let's move on...
"We think Java is important for industry and our customers," said Tom Waldrop, a spokesman at Intel. "To us it's important for the development of the Internet, that Java remain an open standard."
I think x86 is important for the industry. Therefore, Intel should make the x86 an open standard. (Java is to a language as x86 machine code is to a language -- these guys need desperately to come to grip with the fact that Java is much more than a language).
The companies also said the Java name should be free to all interested parties.
I think the names Pentium, Merced, Windows, Visual Basic, ActiveX, Alpha and MMX should be free to use by all interested parties.
Java is a computer language with which programmers write software. The allure of software written in Java is that a single version of a program can run on many types of computers without the programmer having to modify it for different systems.
Why do you suppose they say this? Are they trying to convince themselves or us? As I said: Java is a language, a platform and a microprocessor. No less (but perhaps more). It is also interesting that write-once, run anywhere is mentioned here -- this is only possible because Java is a virtual microprocessor; It has nothing to do with the language characteristics of Java. In effect, this last sentence nullifies the one that came before it.
Too bad they forgot about some of Java's other benefits, such as it's ability to move and bind with individual objects over a network, it's natural ability to support distributed computing paradigms, it's introspective and reflective capabilities, etc..
Sun executives could not be reached immediately for comment.
They probably couldn't pick their jaws off the floor.
MSFT, DEC, INTC and CPQ must be getting desperate. This is the surest sign of panic I have seen out of these companies. I doubt there is a single person out there (who knows anything about these issues) who believes for one second that these four companies want Java taken away from Sun so that they can help it mature into a viable alternative to their technologies.
Not a leg to stand on. If you live in a glass house...
-Dan |
