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Another Review on Sun's Java Desktop

Posted by Cliff on from the as-the-mad-penguin-dances dept.

An anonymous reader inputs: "Mad Penguin has posted a comprehensive review of Sun's JDS 2003 Linux distribution, and it is one of the most honest I have seen: "The developers behind this effort need to focus on what makes a desktop OS great: ease of use, multimedia support, and simple/accessible networking features." Without that, the author says that the distro cannot survive. there was also mention of Project Looking Glass, a 3D java desktop environment for Linux that is still under heavy development." Compare this review with the first one that was posted, back in December.

8 of 25 comments (clear)

  1. paraphrasing jurassic park by ru-486 · · Score: 2, Funny

    "...Project Looking Glass, a 3D java desktop environment for Linux..." young boy: "...hey, it's a linux system"

  2. J all over the world by FePe · · Score: 5, Funny
    It's been hard living with the "k" prefix in application names. And now it's going to be even harder living in this world with all these applications like JDictionary, JGraphpad, JDiskReport...

    Check this screenshot for example.

    --
    "Until you do what you believe in, how do you know whether you believe in it or not?" -- Leo Tolstoy
    1. Re:J all over the world by rhild · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I have to agree with you on this one. Most end users have zero interest in what language was used to develop some program. They just want it to work, look nice, and not surprise them in unpleasant ways.

      A lot of thought should go into a program's name, but one of the things that matters the least is trying to reflect in the name the language or GUI kit used to develop it.

    2. Re:J all over the world by Jahf · · Score: 2, Interesting

      JDS isn't targetted at "most end users". It is being developed as a distribution that fits well into the enterprise. The admin who runs the JDS desktops may very well remove those items from the menus anyway.

      Additionally, remember that is a 1.0 product. It's going to be a couple of years before it is fully matured.

      Also, Sun has a vested interest in a) showcasing the Java desktop apps and b) giving some meaning to the "Java" in Java Desktop System.

      --
      It is more productive to voice thoughtful opinions (reply) than to judge (moderate) others.
  3. Reviewer Missed the Point... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    It's amazing that Mad Pengiun spent the most time complaining about where GIMP was and the underpowered media player--two things that have no real place in the target market (the average task worker has no more business using the GIMP than making PowerPoint presentations).

    Documentation and Administration are two obvious pitfalls with the package (and both are recognized by Sun). Most of the complaints however have nothing to do with a _business_ oriented distribution.

    In other words, this (1) wasn't a very in-depth review and (2) reviewed the product for the wrong target market.

  4. Obligatory Disclaimer by fm6 · · Score: 4, Informative

    The "Java" in "Java Desktop" is just a brand, not a technology descriptor.

  5. ugly themege by joejg · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I have to admit I have always been very critical of sun's software, but this 'java desktop system' seems like one of the lamest distro's ever. There really isn't an innovative thing in it (which is the only reason to make a new distro IMHO) besides including the java plugin for mozilla. The theme, which makes everything look like it was written with the java gui api is awful. I think they would have been better off if they just shipped XD2 on there hardware.

  6. A REAL Java OS by TheRealMindChild · · Score: 2, Informative

    Here is what you would think of when you hear "Java Operating System"

    JNode

    --

    "When life gives you lemons, don't make lemonade. Make life take the lemons back!" -- Cave Johnson