Slashdot Mirror
Sun To Upgrade Java Desktop System
An anonymous reader writes "The second version of Sun's Java Desktop System should be unveiled this week, according to this article. And as part of Sun's effort to entice programmers to its new software, the new JDS software will include the Java Studio and NetBeans developer tools." The JDS is their Linux desktop system.
Sun's "Java" desktop has as much to do with Java as this "security" site has to do with security
It's hard enough to remember my opinions, never mind the reasons for them..
NetBeans 3.6 IDE is Much Improved
-Steve
So it looks to me like Sun is trying to pull a Microsoft and hope people use the bundled product even if it's inferior. But like I said, Java developers already know where to get Eclipse.
I opened a terminal:
*sigh* Can Sun do anything right?
Since Sun includes a Ton of GPL'd software on their CD, where are the sources? I can't find any download either on their site (tried "Java Desktop System" download site:sun.com and all I got was a lenghty FAQ) I'd like to try it, where do I get it from?
It also will come with the first version of Sun's Configuration Manager, which lets an administrator control the privileges and settings of different groups of desktop users.
I am confused.
Were sshd, bash and vi missing in the previous version!?!?
You mean their GNU/Linux/GNOME + Java system, right?
_
\\/ are accustomed' - First Lensman
The JDS is their Linux desktop system.
Not for long.
Sun has hinted more than once that they'd like JDS to be based on Solaris x86. I would expect at some point that they'll either start pushing a Solaris-based JDS, or even worse, "seamlessly upgrade" Linux-based JDS to Solaris-based JDS and load up a Linux binary compatibility layer to run those "legacy" apps.
Linux is a nuisance to Sun. It's really a shame, because Sun has done (or acquired and re-released) some great things: NFS, Java, OpenOffice... but they're so stuck on Solaris that they just can't handle the fact that it's all about Linux now. IBM "gets it" -- they do AIX when customers ask for it, Linux when customers ask for that, but they're pushing for unified Linux everywhere. But anyone who's experienced IBM's distribution of the GNU toolset on AIX knows that Sun absolutely kicks IBM's butt in terms of integration of the tools into a legacy Unix OS.
Anyway, I'd wager that Sun is going to continue to be schizophrenic about Linux until the board wises up and cans McNealy.
Tired of FB/Google censorship? Visit UNCENSORED!
I recall a review on Linux.com a few weeks ago, of this software.
Apparently the underlying core of JDS hasn't changed since the original release, its just an interface and client software refresh. This meant it wouldn't install on many modern machines due to an outdated - by Linux standards - kernel 2.4.19
I have been a user for about 10 years. This ends Feb 2014. The site's been ruined. I'm off. Dice, FU
Why use JDS when there are better, cost-free alternatives?
Open Source Java Web Forum with LDAP authentication
I, like many people, made fun of Sun at first for calling it the Java Desktop when the majority of the code (and pretty much all of the core code) is written in C or C++. I've realized now though, that the case is the same with Java itself, so really the name fits perfectly.
It's not too bad, basically SuSE as you've read before. My wheel mouse didn't work out of the box, and sound stuff didn't start automatically -- both of which would be really annoying to the common user.
The interface is gorgeous though, and sun studio isn't a bad alternative to eclipse. Why they include netbeans and studio is beyond me though, they're the same thing as far as I can tell. And I can't type "javac" directly from my home directory, which I'd imagine the average user would need to be able to do without changing anything
I'd like to see more of a sun supported community for JDS. I can't even find user forums or anything of the like to discuss the pitfalls I've found, etc. Hard to build a desktop user base if they are only going to marginally own up to it existing in the first place. I feel like I'm the only person in the world using it. Maybe it's just too early...
Thank you for not screaming that Sun must PROVIDE the sources with JDS. As everyone (should) know, the GPL only mandates that you provide a means for the end-user to acquire the sources.
I want to delete my account but Slashdot doesn't allow it.
Sigh....
Agile Artisans
maybe you should have tried:
:)
$ jikes
IBM seems to be getting a lot of things right with java lately
-Pat
The product has a lot to do with Java. Its SUN's attempt to push a Java enabled development environment out of the box. Many of us have positive attitudes towards Java so there is a certain logic to doing this. I admit I have not looked at Nettbeans for a while but I remember it being ok, if a little slow and probably better suited to newbies and Visual Studio crossovers than Eclipse.
As a side note if OS products were judged on their names alone no one would use the majority of them.
Do not try to read the dupe, thats impossible. Instead, only try to realize the truth
What truth?
There is no dupe
But it looks like with this new Java Desktop System, the proof is here. If Sun was able to port the entire Linux OS to run on the JRE, and Gnome too apparently... well, I'm impressed.
The only thing I wonder is why they went ahead and reimplemented yet another clone of Unix. It seems that with their pioneering Java software technology under the hood (after all, this is the language that introduced features like dynamic class loading, garbage collection and introspection to the world of computing) they could have pioneered a new modern, modular desktop OS.
Sun is trying to be even loonier than Darl. They're succeeding, but they're not nearly as amusing. Let's see, they 'have no Linux strategy', Red Hat is ''proprietary', and this warmed-over elderly "Java Desktop" would more accurately be named "Old Moldy SuSE." The innovation is breathtaking.
---
SCO is weenies
Gator is Spyware
Microsoft is thugs
15. Q. How much does Java Desktop System sell for?
A. There are two available pricing options for Java Desktop System:
* $100 / desktop / year
* $50 / employee / year for customers who wish to purchase Java Desktop System for all employees of their company.
* A special promotion is also planned that reduces by 50% the first year price of either of the above two options. This promotion is in effect until June 2, 2004.
What is holding JDS back isn't necessarily Linux but the fact that SUN has done nothing about dire shortage of third party software vendors for the desktop.
There are a HUGE number of companies out there who would jump ship in a minute for a JDS solution IF they could get their "mission critical" applications on JDS. I'm sorry, but if SUN want the customers, the customers require the software, no software, no customers, its just that simple.
Want to solve the problem? go to the vendors and ask, "how much to port this application natively to JDS", find out the price, and the cut the software vendor a cheque! Once you get a handful of vendors producing, more vendors will come on board volunteerily because they don't want to feel like they've missed out on the "next big thing".
Its about creating momentum, but unfortunately SUN just doesn't get it, and never has, and never will.
i dont know why so many people talk down on sun. imo they are the only company that could be able to come up with a good competitor to the windows os. im talking about the regular user here. a regular user hasnt got the time or interest to do all the tinkering neccesary to make linux work properly. linux sucks when it comes to hardware compatability for regular users. Sun has a brand name, they are instantly recognised by the public, they have muscle and are respected by hardware manufacturers. its only and only such a company that can breath life into a new OS for the private consumer market.
Once you get up to speed, you'll be able to spot it in no time!
${YEAR+1} is going to be the year of Linux on the desktop!