EDITORIAL PAGE

IS JAVA DEAD?

    As this past month began, we received encouraging news regarding JPhotoBrush Pro 1.0, a Java based graphics tool which, although it sounds good, may be in trouble before it can even get off the ground. Its not that Tanveer Rameez, the developer of JPhotoBrush, has done anything wrong. Rather, there are other forces at work moving against Java, namely our old buddy Microsoft.

    On June 26th, a higher court overturned the ruling requiring Microsoft to carry Sun's Java in Windows (see INFOWORLD article). Basically, the ruling drives another nail into Java's coffin and will push developers to Microsoft's .Net Internet-enabled programming platform, the alternative to Java. The Java concept of "Write Once, Run Anywhere" has been changed to "Write Once, Run Anywhere, except Windows." And without the Windows market, there won't be any demand for any Java application, regardless of how good it is.

    It appears Microsoft is getting its way again. Since they couldn't control the standard, they simply changed the rules of the game in their favor. What they are doing to Java is essentially no different than what they did to OfficeSuites, multimedia, web browsers, OS/2, etc.: They have made their competitors meaningless and inconsequential.

    Java's last chance for success rests in Linux, which faces an uphill battle against a Goliath out of control. To keep Java afloat, it will be necessary for major vendors to get behind Linux and push it. IBM has already converted many products over to Linux, but Sun itself needs to do likewise, even though they are hesitant to abandon their Solaris operating system.

    Bottom-line: Is open-source products like Java and Linux superior technology to Microsoft's? No doubt. But then again so was OS/2 over Windows, and we saw what happened there. Now is the time for Java & Linux proponents to run with reckless abandon because time is running out.

    So, is Java dead? Not yet, but it looks like its coughing up blood.
     

    Keep the Faith!

   

- Tim Bryce
Editor, OS/2 CONNECT

Please do not hesitate to send me an e-mail