JAVA Applets as Substitute for Windows CE, Newton OS, Mac OS Lite, etc.
A thought provoking article that suggests running tiny universal Java applets to control appliances, then networking the appliances to any PC based on any JAVA compliant OS platform.
Presumably, using the higher end Windows/Mac/etc. operating systems may be the more functional way to go to control appliances. Windows CE, Newton OS, Mac OS Lite, etc. may be also-rans in this market sector.
"BY: GUYREN HOWE
I got lots of interesting feedback on my last column, in which I discussed how suddenly, we have just about every technology we need for the computerized house. Lots of folks liked it, a few pointed me to interesting related stuff on the net, and one or two told me I needed to re-evaluate my concept of 'a life' and get closer to nature or something. Always open to new experiences, I tried pulling up some QuickTime VR images of parks and stuff, but it wasn't as much fun as they promised. Anyhow.
The email that particularly caught my attention came from Raleigh Ledet, a senior in Computer Science at the University of Southwestern Louisiana. He pointed out something implicit in my column that really deserved more attention. I suggested that these devices might employ Java as their software interface. A few years after it was first hyped, it has become fashionable for many in the press to be cynical about Java's future. But now let me quote some of Mr Ledet's email for you (I have edited it a little for brevity). He begins by quoting me:
"... 'Can't program your VCR? Don't worry about it. It would take someone at Sony about half an hour to write a Java wizard to take you through what you want one question at a time in a seriously idiot-proof manner. The applet is about 50K in size, and lives in the VCR in flash memory. The VCR even gets cheaper to make, because it can lose the silly buttons and purpose-built programming system. It just has a little RAM, a cheap processor and a few support chips.'
Mr. Howe has just described the exact niche that Java should fall.
When Sun originally announced Java, they proclaimed it the "be all, end all" way to develop cross platform applications. "Write Once, Run Anywhere!" The day I learned how Java worked was the day I new Java wouldn't last. Java is a programming language that has to be interpreted during run time in order to be able to be cross platform....
All of that is OK, though! Java may not be the way to go to write the next great Office Suite, but Java is great for small applications. Small applications normally don't depend on speed, nor do they need any of the extra OS features that Microsoft is adding. That is why Java is alive and well on the web. All those pages with Java counters or animations or controls or whatever, normally run fine on any OS. Those small applets may not do much, but what they do allow you to do is important.
Which brings us to appliances and Home automation. For a long time now, we have heard of the Newton OS (Windows CE, Mac OS Lite, Pick Your OS) that controls your TV, VCR, Microwave, etc. I never really understood why my microwave would need to be able to run solitaire or open up windows. More importantly, though, is I never liked the idea too much because we all know that Microsoft would try to force Windows CE down all the appliance makers' throats. So then we end up with a situation like: your home is controlled by a whole bunch of Window's CE appliances that don't interface correctly with your Mac or any other operating platform that isn't Windows NT. I can't speak for everyone, but I fear a Microsoft controlled world.
In comes Java to save the day. Your Microwave, VCR, DVD Player/Recorder, Lights, Garage door opener, etc. doesn't need all the power of Newton, Windows CE or whatever OS. I say let my garage door opener control my garage door and not try to cook me dinner. Now all an appliance manufacture has to do is: A) Put in USB or Firewire into their appliance, and B) Write a pure 100% Java applet that resides in Flash Memory of the appliance. Boom! All the user has to due is plug it into the Home Network, and your computer and OS of choice can instantly download the Java applet and control the device for you."
Mr Ledet's comments cut through a lot of the hype about Java, to point out where Java is almost certain to be a success. Java looks set to be the lingua franca of wired devices in a wired world.
I'm fond of pointing out that anyone who claims to predict the future in this industry with any certainty is either selling something or is too full of their own self-importance. But I can say that Java looks likely not only to be popular, but quite likely explosively successful, because it will be in all your appliances. It's just so well-suited for this role that it's hard to imagine how it won't be.
This was the sort of role that Java was originally designed for. It was developed at Sun as a better language for writing these small applications for small appliances. It has gone on to seek a bigger role, but the effect of this has been to develop its potential far beyond what it needed for this original goal. There are sophisticated development tools, native-code compilers, and all sorts of code libraries and the all-important programming culture focusing around this language. It is becoming so well-developed that its original limited role is almost too easy. Sun certainly has kept this role very much in mind as they develop new technologies around Java. The point of my original article was that technology seems to have reached a point where that role is about to explode.
So break out your Java books, and start learning. Several years after it started, Java looks very much on track to me."
-- Guyren Howe
Source: thessasource.com
Hal
PS: My technical knowledge is not very deep and I am very easily led astray. Does anyone know if Windows CE, Newton OS, or Mac OS Lite are JAVA compliant and network capable? Maybe these mini-OS candidates can be used to run JAVA appliances for users that do NOT possess personal computers.
Also, could the term appliances include simple combinations of non-household items such as a suite of laboratory equipment, manufacturing process control equipment, or small building security monitors? If so, cool! HR |
