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Java to be released as Open Source, Red Hat says not enough May 19, 2006

Posted by rjdohnert in Tech News.
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Well Sun has committed to open sourcing Java.  The only problem is that they are trying to figure out how to do so without the fragmentation and forking that mars the Linux, BSD and UNIX worlds.  Whatever license they choose it most definately wont be the GPL

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While in more recent news Red Hat has criticized Sun saying that they have not done enough and that the new DLJ is severely short of Open Source.  They even go as far as ,in my opinion, with this statement      “Failure to open-source Java means that it can’t be used on millions of $100, Linux-powered PCs envisioned under Nicholas Negroponte’s One Laptop Per Child project, to bring affordable computing to children in developing nations. Negroponte wants only open source software on the machines, according to Red Hat, which is a member of the project.”    Which basically tells me that Red Hat will use its influence to keep the project from shipping Java on the machines.  This is what I was talking about when I mention strong arming people to do what you want.

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My Take; Java is open enough, you can get the sources you can alter the source and you can redistribute as long as you pass the compatibility tests.  Its also very low of Red Hat, almost to Microsoft status, to threaten to use its influence on an important project. 

Comments»

1. Doug - May 20, 2006

How many people in the third world can afford a $100 (I assume US dollar) PC. Red Hat should focus on the hardware suppliers rather than zero cost Java. Is the $100 PC open/free? No, it is proprietary, full of patent costs etc.

I agree with your take. It shows that Red Hat is a commercial company 1st.


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