Long Live Sun GPL'ed Java!

Not too long ago Sun CEO Scott Mcnealy  made a comment that he see no
point in giving away java in GPL and in response FSF evangelist  openly
recommend us  not to use Java because they felt it's too easy to get
trapped in a proprietary sansar.

I know RMS once said FSF cannot recommend OpenOffice "on ethical
grounds". It severely depend on Sun JRE.  The solution would be to
improve GNU Compiler for Java (GCJ),  and the GNU Classpath.
OpenOffice folks refused to refactor  their code to meet GCJ and
classpath. Whatever GCJ and gang claimed was not to the ground. It
still  lacks several features.

Gosling vowed against the parallel re-invention and development of java
classlib..
As known GNU Classpath,  folks were refuted against his remark. Its not
new though, there were already a plethora of java product based on GPL
and Apache License, The significant of those are from ASF, recently
plunged into JavaEE market, that happens when JBoss lead engineer
frustrated and declare to get start new implementation of J2EE .like a
warrior..they declared themselves Geronimo..aka .. Apache Geronimo. Its
widely popular as shipped with IBM Websphere Apps Server Community
Edition

It was likely to become linux distro scenario, Although the compliance
with java and javaee specification was always the core issue and unlike
with linux, it has to follow the standard  for industry acceptance. The
problem with fragmented effort was the re-inveting the same wheel and
the possible obstacle that it leads to. The venture towards new
implementation was only the issue with the license. Sun was adhering
CDDL and folks, especially in apache and gnu, were doubtful on this
move, they often compared CDDL  as m$ shared source!

After scott mcnealy stepped down from ceo, the new management made
decisive move to declare its solaris and java product line completely
free. Still clings with CDDL but look like they were hugely inspired by
the true success of GNU/Linux, and often they keep promising through
their blogs..something that management about to take decision. It took
no time to declare java as GPL’ed…and its damn true..it happened
just right front of us.. Potentially a master stroke from Sun!

Beyond the limit, as widely speculated all stack JME, JSE, glassfish
everything that interconnect with stack about to declare GPL’ed. I
won’t be surprise if they declared Solaris GPL’ed. I am
anticipating !

So where the future lies of GNU Classpath, Geronimo & more! Well that
is what the exception means in Java…! they were trying to build what
GNU folks thought for complete java classlib..is about to throw with
exception with Sun class type 

I see everyone in FSF hailed it as a bold move, and a great opportunity
both for Sun and for FOSS.

Long live Java !


   - Sarose