Well, I'm not a Java "expert" but I think I can answer your questions:
Do you know if the Javastation can utilize a hard disk for caching and virtual memory? Is this in the works for NC's?
Well, you're probably going to see a standard 64 megs of memory without the overhead of a bloated, one-size-fits-all OS so having local a disk-based cache (or virtual memory) may not buy you much. The keyword there is local since you clearly will have disk access on the server. Obviously a hard-disk could be used but more memory might provide a better option. Keep in mind, you retrieve software components on demand, it's not Microsoft bloatware. There certainly may be applications that can use a local hard-disk but a mobile phone or, say, a cash-register would not. Think of a hotel filled with NCs versus Wintel boat anchors.
What about upgrading system code if you choose to boot locally via flash prom. Can the flash prom be protected from deliberate erasing by malicious code?
Well, let's just say that Windows leaves the door wide open whereas Java would make that very difficult. Windows is based on the honor system. In a perfect world, Windows would continually crash only as a result of unintentional bugs. In other words, Windows would continually crash. Java has a very robust three-pronged security model which does not rely on the honor system. I am sure whatever security concerns exist with Java are minuscule in contrast to the PC.
What about protection of programmers work. I read somewhere that the bytecode can be reversed back to its original source code. I guess there are obfuscators but I was told they can be easily defeated. Is this a problem for Java programmers?
Well, one can disassemble machine code on almost any computer into the original language using a wide variety of cheap and available tools. That's always been the case but I don't see the "problem" being more pronounced using the currently dominant languages on today's PCs. The remedies are many, both legal and technical. |
