Sun says wait a minute on Java
08/17/2001 10:45:42 PM MDT Albuquerque, Nm
By Dustin D. Brand; Owner AMO
Look for irony and you'll find it, especially with Sun Microsystems.
Sun Microsystems, a long time pure competitor to Microsoft, and the creator of the Java Language, wants Java in Windows now.
The irony here lies in the fact that Sun sued Microsoft over it's use of a Microsoft enhanced version of Java that enabled it to run well with Internet Explorer. The court result of Sun suing Microsoft was Microsoft's ability to use it's enhanced Java "runtime" for 7 more years. In April, Microsoft used this strength, and decided not to include the Java Software with Windows.
Microsoft basicly told Sun that, we win, you lose. You don't want us to use our Microsoft enhanced Java, fine, we won't even ship it with Windows. Sun has been at the heart of the Microsoft Anti-Trust case, as well as America Online, and other "We hate Microsoft" companies.
Distribution is key in this Industry, and if the Software isn't being distributed, then it won't be used - it's just that simple. Microsoft knows this, and despite the ANTI-Microsoft ads that Sun Microsystems is running - Microsoft isn't backing down and issued the following statements.
"Sun Microsystems has turned its marketing machine into high gear about Windows XP, claiming that Microsoft has hurt Sun, Java and customers by not including the Microsoft virtual machine in Windows XP. It's time to set the facts straight."
Microsoft went on to say that Sun Microsystems "has taken every step possible to prevent Microsoft from shipping its award winning Java virtual machine. They spent several years suing to stop Microsoft from shipping a high-performance Java virtual machine that took advantage of Windows."
Why is Sun so back and forth, and downright full of hypocrisy? Sun's "Java" is only used by less than 5% of the Web Sites - that's why. The once touted Java language has been replaced by XML, DHTML, SOAP, and traditional languages like C, and now Microsofts new C#. Java didn't ever live up to it's Hype.
Microsoft continues in their press release: "The Microsoft virtual machine has a long history of outperforming other virtual machines and offers the best real world compatibility of any virtual machine," the company asserted. "It is also the only virtual machine that offers an integrated applet browsing experience with Internet Explorer."
This is a direct strike at Sun Microsystems, and goes to the point of you didn't know what you had until you lost it.
The Sun lawsuit against Microsoft was settled in January, 2001, with Sun agreeing to let Microsoft continue using a 4-year-old JVM for seven years but prohibiting the software giant from using new versions of the software. With Microsoft C# coming out this fall, Microsoft said - fine.
Microsoft goes on to say in it's press release: "Rather than pursue a new licensing arrangement, Sun settled its lawsuit with Microsoft by offering a phase-out of Microsoft's Java implementation," Microsoft charged in its statement. "Sun was quick to pronounce the settlement a great victory."
Microsoft even quoted Sun CEO Scott McNealy: "This is a victory for our licensees and consumers. The community wants one Java technology: one brand, one process and one great platform. We've accomplished that, and this agreement further protects the authenticity and value of Sun's Java technology."
Microsoft is quick to point out that: "Sun got what they said they wanted: The termination of the existing Java license and an agreement that Microsoft would phase out its Java virtual machine."
"Sun has proven they would rather compete through litigation," said Jim Cullinan, Windows XP lead product manager. "What if come Oct. 1, Sun decided to seek an injunction stopping Windows XP because they said we didn't keep the terms of the settlement?"
"Sun wraps itself in a mantle of openness and choice," Microsoft said in its statement. "The idea that Java is open is laughable, particularly after Sun submitted Java to a standards body and then broke its promise not just once but twice...Moreover, Sun's idea of choice is you can have any language you want, as long as it is Java."
Make that 1 point to zero in favor of Microsoft in this ongoing Java debacle. I'd also like to take this time to point out that Sun has been consistently losing market share to Microsoft in the Server market with Microsoft's Windows 2000 Server systems.
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