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Sun to Fully Open Source Java

Posted by Soulskill on from the free-refills dept.

Dionysius, God of Wine and Leaf brings news that Sun Microsystems will be removing the last restrictions on Java to make it completely open source. Sun wants Java to be easily available for use in Linux distributions. We've discussed the steps Sun has taken to open-source Java over the past couple years. From Yahoo! News: "'We've been engaging with the open-source community for Java to finish off the OpenJDK project, and the specific thing that we've been working on with them is clearing the last bits that we didn't have the rights,' to distribute, Sands said. 'Over the past year, we have pretty much removed most of those encumbrances.' Work still needs to be done to offer the Java sound engine and SNMP code via open source; that effort is expected to be completed this year. Developers, though, may be able to proceed without a component like the sound engine, Sands said.

13 of 374 comments (clear)

  1. I'll believe it when ManBearPig flies. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Troll

    We've all heard this from Sun before, but this time I am sure it is for realz. I won't be shocked if it "Open Sourced" under the CDL and prohibits integration with the GPL Linux Kernel, along with my precious ZFS.

  2. Millions of Voices by turgid · · Score: 0, Troll

    Blah blah blah, disturbance in the Force, blah blah like millions of slashbots (and IBM and Microsoft astroturfers) heads assplode.

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    Stick Men
  3. Java vs. Python? by turgid · · Score: 1, Troll

    Please explain what Java and Python have in common other than the fact that they are languages and one is also a platform?

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    Stick Men
  4. Meltdown! by nlightnmnt · · Score: 1, Troll

    I celebrated by attempting to launch 3 Java programs simultaneously.

    16-core processors can't arrive soon enough..

  5. Re:Kudos to them, I guess by ttfkam · · Score: 0, Troll

    I've been able to "apt-get install sun-java5-jdk" for a couple of years now on Debian and Ubuntu. Don't blame Java, blame FreeBSD.

    You're right. This is 2008. You shouldn't have to jump through hoops for bullshit distro reasons when the packaging was a solved problem.

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    - I don't need to go outside, my CRT tan'll do me just fine.
  6. Re:Kudos to them, I guess by Braino420 · · Score: 0, Troll

    For one thing, we won't have to listen to RMS whining about it every time someone mentions the current version of OpenOffice.
    People still listen to RMS whine? The facts never stopped him from whining before. It makes for a good read. Be sure to continue on into the archive, where there are some real gems like this. It's great, Ubuntu caters to his bitching by coming up with Gobuntu, which meets all of his ridiculous criteria, and he won't recommend it because it sounds like Ubuntu. *dawns flame suit for the large percentage of rms zealots on /.* Seriously, rms DID some great things in the past, but now he just sounds like he took too much acid (and looks like it too). Practicality is what matters in programming; if F/OSS really is better, it will be used. And it will, eventually. But it won't be done if you sit on the sidelines kvetching. It will be if you make coding contributions under the appropriate license and make F/OSS BETTER.
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    They call me the wookie man, I guess that's what I am
  7. Java? by bunhed · · Score: 1, Troll

    ... oh yeah... java... i remember that language. I guess it's good they open sourced it so museums can put it on display without any licensing issues. ;)

  8. Re:Let's bet on how many PR they can generate! by cowwoc2001 · · Score: 1, Troll

    Java has been open-source for over 10 years now. Open-source fanatics would have you believe otherwise. No one is able to please *everyone* in the open-source community (nor should they try).

    Sun has open-sourced a lot more products than any other company in recent history. They got *some* thanks from the community but they also got a lot of whiners asking for more. You give someone a finger and he wants your entire hand. Go figure.

  9. Re:Kudos to them, I guess by Xtravar · · Score: 1, Troll

    Ok, now do it on a x86-64 system, and make sure those browser plugins work!!

    FAIL.

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    Buckle your ROFL belt, we're in for some LOLs.
  10. Re:Kudos to them, I guess by bluemonq · · Score: 0, Troll

    You're an idiot. Since the GGP didn't see any issues of 'freedom' with Java, GP tried out a few other examples that GP might be involved with.

  11. Re:Better late than early by Dr.Ruud · · Score: 0, Troll

    40 skilled and seasoned Perl developers can do better than a group of 1500 Java developers. (we do it every day)

  12. Re:Better late than early by dodobh · · Score: 0, Troll

    Alternatively, the Ruby and Python programmers are 20/10 times as productive as the Java programmers, and you need fewer good programmers.

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    I can throw myself at the ground, and miss.
  13. Re:Better late than early by MrNaz · · Score: 1, Troll

    "Perl developer" is a misnomer. The appropriate term is "Voodoo practitioner".

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    I hate printers.