Nolan,
Yes, Java is more than just a language, but I don't care - speaking as an investor. Sun does not have a lock on Java anymore than HP, IBM or even Microsoft. It doesn't add to their bottom line, if you wish to argue about Java in some ivory tower scenario, go for it, but it doesn't translate, no matter how good or what Java is, into money coming into Sun's coffers.
As an investor I care more about Sun's workstation sales in the server and engineering depts. Java is a non-issue no matter how you slice it, except as a nice advertising item - to date.
I totally agree Java itself will be quite important, but instead of telling me what I already know about Java, please translate it into $$$ for Sun, which will drive the stock higher. Sun is not and has never been a very good application software company, in terms of OS's, sure they're very good. As far as I can tell everyone that uses a Sun uses as much GNU freeware as they can get their hands on.
So before you go digging into my profile, taking shots at MSFT or INTC, I'd remind you I bought MSFT at $20 and INTC at $45, Sun I got at $20. So where's the big gain? Most analysts place Sun's 12 month target at $37!
I'm not by any measure anti Sun or Java, I just can't stand hearing this nonsense about a damn language, being given away for nearly free that has no "real" applications that send any real money to Sun. So before you start yammering about Corel or some other Java product, tell me again how much money Corel gives to Sun for their Java'ized Microsoft based suites?
If Java becomes ubiquitous, Sun will make thousands of times more money selling Java Chip's for NC's before they ever make any money off of Java the language. So until these NC's capture some significant market, don't kid yourself about Java the language making Sun a rich company. I'm not making this up, go ask Sun, they said they don't expect Java to contribute to the bottom line for years. |
