Java Fallout: OO.o 2.0 and the FOSS Community

Joe Barr writes "Bruce Byfield has an interesting look at the 'fallout' between OpenOffice.org and the free/open source software communities because of their reliance on Java in the latest release. As he says, "It seems a decision based largely on practical considerations -- and with a disregard for the consequences for both the rest of the free and open source software (FOSS) communities and the future of OpenOffice.org itself." This is an issue that is not going away."

Comments

Easy Solution

[bigtallmofo]

Just re-write everything in Visual Basic. That should make FOSS advocates happy.

I don't see what the big deal is...

[Anonymous Coward]

If they rely on coffee to stay awake to the wee hours hammering out code, hell, I say let 'em drink all they want! Whatever gets the code out, man! Matter of fact, I'm going to have me a big cup o' java right... ...uh, nevermind.

How dare they!

[grahamlee]

It seems a decision based largely on practical considerations

Silly open source developers - putting practicality and pragmatism above more important things like dyed-in-the-wool political viewpoints. Next you'll be telling me they're all off using these newbie Linux systems, rather than diligently waiting for HURD to stabilise like they're supposed to. Tch.

Re:Aww... first grammer nazi hit me...

[gardyloo]

My first grammer nazi reply!

*cough* :-)

PLEASE!

[greg_barton]

This will be marked as flamebait, but here goes:

Will you people please, please remove the stick up your ass when it comes to Java?

Please?

One of the article's complaints was that "FreeBSD and GNU/Linux for the PowerPC, have no official version of Java." Well, all of the time spent complaining about that has wasted years...YEARS people! The Blackdown folks made Java happen on x86 and amd64 Linux because they did something about it. They applied their minds to working instead of bitching.

Be a proper geek and do the same.

Re:who cares?

[iminplaya]

What SUN giveth, SUN can take away. That should be a good reason to stay away.

Re:the 'good enough' argument

[DogDude]

Microsoft said the same thing, relegating security and stability, but that's now come back to bite them in the ass.

If you call being the largest software company in the known universe, and one of the greatest financial successes of our generation being bitten in the ass, then I hope that I'm bitten in the ass, too. Oh God, please, something or someone bite me in the ass!

Re:Eclipse

[a_n_d_e_r_s]

Visual Studio sucks - it does not run on Linux!

the other fallout

[LordMyren]

they forgot to mention the other fallout: the one between the developers and the people who like text to appear as they type.

java is slow - John Carmack, Command Keen programmer.

Screenshots

[julie-h]

How do you exspect me to comment on the story, when there is no pictures or screenshots?

Great acronym

[subStance]

Heheh - I love that the acronym would become FOO.org. That ought to win over the geek crowd at least.

Re:who cares?

[!Squalus]

"Sorry, but what competitors to VB6 does the OSS community have?"

How about REAL Basic from Real Software in Austin, Texas?

That's a real competitor (sees pun - decides to duck and run as tomatoes fly).

Have a nice day.