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Open Source is out of the Java process
Yogidabear writes: "According to the Apache group, Open Source has been officially locked out of the Java process with JSR 99 (Java Specification Participation Agreement). The article on the Jakarta site notes that IBM in particular voted against this JSR and many others noted that they were not happy with the stance Sun was taking against Open Source. What does this mean for the Open Source community as it relates to Java? And, better yet, what does this mean for Java?"
This is just going to make it harder for Java to proliferate.
They have basically done what they claim the are trying to avoid. By limiting the ability of Open Source developers to develop/test/validate there solution implementations Sun is locking itself into a situation where the Java implementation will be come a fragmented mess of proprietary implemenetations that all differ from specifications just a little bit because it is a feature that the vendor thought would be neat!
Let's face it. Java's worst enemy is not Microsoft. It's Sun. It's true that Microsft did a pretty good job of screwing up Java. But they didn't do it out of malice or greed. The folks in Redmond simply suffer from the arrogant believe that only they know how to architect software platforms -- and so do the folks in Menlo Park.
How exactly are things going to become a mess of proprietary implementations?
Commercial products will continue to get certification because people want it.
Some open source products will get certification.
Uncertified open source products are pretty much ignored until they have a solid track record. People are afraid to use the proprietary ones because if the project bogs down, you're fucked. It's not a mistake you make twice.
I'd much rather see the money going towards making the reference implementations not suck than towards paying the license or testing fees for a particular group. A hell of a lot more people benefit from a good reference than any particular reimplementation.
before starting the boycott read the comments here: http://jcp.org/jsr/results/99-7-1.jsp
Many agree with the concerns of Apache although they voted yes.
not all can share the same opinion. But it's good that the decision process is done in public and including explicitly a phase of public feedback.
I'm not getting angry at Sun. They put it a lot of effort into Java and their actual standpoint is - allthough taking a step backwards - somewhat understandable.
Now is the time to participate. Let's not burry our heads in the sand but cast our votes as software developers. I will use the opportunity and object the draft during the following public review. Open Source Software is a must in the 21st century, playing the same role for the computer industry as academic freedom was for science.
And if a large enough number and the majority of us developers is taking a similiar position _and_ participating actively in the public review, the members of the JCP cannot ignore it. We are their potential customers as well as partner in this.
No need to give up too early.