On "JavaTM Technology: Freedom of Choice"

Question

Has anyone else wondered what this means?
http://java.sun.com/features/2001/08/choiceletter.html?frontpage-headlinesfeatures
The first two paragraphs are OK but then I fail to understand anymore.
"Demand that Microsoft include the Java platform in their XP operating system."
What on earth does that mean??? Can M$ legally use the new Java2 products, like swing and collections?
quote from http://java.sun.com/lawsuit/:
"To protect developers and consumers using Microsoft's outdated version of Java technology, Sun has agreed to grant Microsoft a limited license to continue to distribute its current version of the software, provided that all future versions of such products pass Sun's compatibility tests. This part of the agreement lasts seven years. Beyond that date, Microsoft can not distribute Java technology or use any of Sun's intellectual property."
So.... Why would the users and we, the developers, want M$ to keep supporting Java? If I understand correctly that quote above M$ supporting Java is the last thing we want!
What is the motivation of that letter, then?
Also the thing about opennes... When will there be a proper jdk written for BSD systems? Why is it taking so long? I am sure that if the JDK was really open under a GPL style license many developers would be happy to work on porting it to those systems - for free.

Answer 1

The purpose is to make the entire issue appear to be Microsoft's fault (the old "pile on" syndrome). Microsoft is under the gun, so everyone feels free to blame everything on Microsoft.
There is plenty of blame to go around here, on both sides. Microsoft attempted to "pollute" Java by optimizing it for the Windows platform, but in the process ran afoul of Sun's licensing restrictions. As a result, Sun sued and won. Under the terms of the suit, Microsoft can (not MUST, but CAN) continue to distribute it's version of the VM for 7 years. After that, it's pretty much up to the lawyers what can be done, but from the language of the settlement it looks like Microsoft would have to stop distributing Java technology (it's own or anyone else's). If that's the case, then it does make sense for Microsoft to go ahead and drop Java, and leave it up to a third party to "bundle" Java with Windows. A perfect opening for Sun to step in and save the day (not to mention that fact that Windows users are currently stuck with an older VM, which seems to me a reason for developers to avoid the Microsoft VM anyway).
My problem with Sun in all of this is the assumption that Java is enough of a standard that it should be included with Windows by default. Java is a Sun product, regardless of how it is being managed. If Sun wants Java on Windows, Sun should negotiate with Microsoft to include it, just like others negotiate with Microsoft. If Sun doesn't want to negotiate with Microsoft (and who could blame them), Sun needs to come up with a distribution mechanism - perhaps negotiate with the OEMs to bundle Java in new machines?
Just because a lot of developers like Java, and some web sites use it, that does not make Java a standard (by those criteria, ActiveX is also a standard). Sun needs to re-think it's Java approach, and either 'fess up to Java being proprietary or completely open it up - relinquish control to some non-Sun entity.
Carl Rapson