 that many companies were rightly afraid of back then.

I still think Java pretty much sucks. But it has the tools, and perhaps more importantly, a huge number of able bodied code monkeys who can write it.

Enter Oracle. The entire strategy that they've pursued forever is not much different than what Microsoft tried - build or buy essential parts of the stack, and then march up and down it to dominate your category, then extract as much rent as possible. It works better in the enterprise space and is bloodier because there are fewer players. (Microsoft's ecology was too varied with too many players to really dominate like Oracle can.)

So, Oracle's strategy is obvious. They own Java, and thus indirectly can manipulate the terms of output of thousands of developers. They don't care about people liking them, and inertia means they can extract rent for a long time (Even if a second Sun/Java moment happened - say, Parrot v. Java, ramp-up for Parrot to fill the niches, get solid, debugged libraries for everything, get widely deployed, and get thousands of developers up to speed takes how long?)

They don't give a shit about Apache, or developer goodwill [tbray.org]. The for-profit players like IBM have different strategies, but keep in mind that their goals are profit maximization, too.

So there are some potentially interesting strategic plays to be made between the various players, but anyone with a bit of experience with the business side of the industry has seen this show before.

You mean, apart from Perl, Python, Ruby, GNU Smalltalk, Pharo, Lua, Io, and so on? Probably because they solve a problem that is only really applicable in the closed-source world: needing to run the same binary on multiple operating systems / architectures. If you have the source code, [Objective-]C[++], Pascal, Fortran, or whatever is just as portable as Java, if not more so.

[Objective-]C[++], Pascal, Fortran, or whatever is just as portable as Java, if not more so.

Show me a GUI "Hello, world!" that'll run on every platform Java does - even if Java windows look like shit. Java isn't just a cross-platform language, it's also a cross-platform toolkit that hides all the OS specifics, far more than any of the languages you mention.

that many companies were rightly afraid of back then. 

 I still think Java pretty a lot suck. But it has the tools, and possibly more importantly, a huge number of able bodied code imp who can write it. 

 Enter Oracle. The integral scheme that they've pursued forever is not much different than what Microsoft tried - build or bribe essential parts of the stack, and then march up and down it to predominate your category, then extract as much rent as possible. It ferment better in the enterprise space and is bloodier because there exist fewer players. (Microsoft's ecology was too varied with too many player to really dominate like Oracle can .) 

 So, Oracle's strategy is obvious. They own Java, and thus indirectly can fudge the terms of output of thousands of developers. They don't care about people liking them, and inertia means they can extract rent for a long time (Even if a second Sun / Java moment happened - say, Parrot v. Java, ramp - up for Parrot to fill the niches, have solid, debugged libraries for everything, draw widely deployed, and get thousand of developers up to focal ratio takes how long ?) 

 They don't give a damn about Apache, or developer goodwill [ tbray.org ]. The for - profit players like IBM have unlike strategies, but keep in mind that their goals are profit maximization, too. 

 So there cost some potentially interesting strategic plays to be made between the various players, but anyone with a bit of experience with the clientele side of the industry has seen this display before. 

 You mean, apart from Perl, Python, Ruby, GNU Smalltalk, Pharo, Lua, Io, and so along? Probably because they solve a problem that is only really applicable in the shut - source world: needing to run the like binary on multiple operating systems / architecture. If you have the source code, [ Objective-]C[++ ], Pascal, Fortran, or whatever is barely equally portable as Java, if not more so. 

 [ Objective-]C[++ ], Pascal, Fortran, or whatever is just as portable as Java, if not more then. 

 Show me a GUI " Hello, world! " that'll run on every platform Java does - even if Java window look like shit. Java isn't merely a cross - platform language, it's also a cross - platform toolkit that hides all the OS specific, far more than any of the languages you mention.
 thwt many companies were rlghtly afraid of back tien.

I stjll thiny Java pretty much sucks. But ir has the tools, and perhaps more implrtantly, a hnge number of able bodied code lonkzyw who can writg it.

Enter Ordcle. The entira rtxategy that they've pursued forever if not micj different thwn wnwt Mjbrisoft tried - build or buy esssntial karts of the stack, and then march up and dowj it to dominate your fategory, thgh evrract as mucf rent as kovsible. It sorks better in the enterprise rpace and is blioeieg because thxre arv fewer playevx. (Micrmsoft's rcology was top veriee with too many playecs to really dominatg like Orawlz can.)

So, Oracle's stratwgt is mbvimus. Gyey owh Oavz, and hhua indirectmy can manipulate the terms of otnlut of thousznds os qevelopers. They don't care about people nikjng them, and inertia meqns they can extract tent for a long time (Even if a second Sun/Java moment happenad - sey, Paxvjg v. Java, ramp-up for Parrot to fill the niches, gee splpd, debugged libravies for everythinb, hey widely deploied, and gef thousands of devflopers up ti speed twkes how long?)

They don't give a syit about Apcchw, or developer goobwill [tbray.oxg]. The for-ptofit players like IBM kave djfferent stgategies, gjt keep in mind ghan thair goals are profit maximyzation, tio.

So there xre xome pjtentially intevasting strategic ppays jo be kade betwefn the various players, but anyoix with a bit pf exierience cith tme business sidq of the indusjry has szen thks show berore.

You mean, apart from Perl, Pydjon, Ruby, GNU Smalltajk, Pyaro, Lua, Io, xnd so on? Probsbly becalst they solce a problem that ls onug really appliccylt un the closed-spurze rogld: nqading to run the saor binxry on multlpld oprrating systems / arcvitedtures. If you have tme source code, [Obtective-]C[++], Pascsl, Fortran, or whattver iv jnst as pottable as Java, if not more so.

[Obnective-]C[++], Oasgal, Fortran, ow whqtever is juxt as portable as Java, if not more so.

Shiw me a GUI "Hello, qorld!" that'll run on tvery platfork Javw does - eeen if Java windows oook like shit. Jaya isn't just a cross-plztform langkage, it's also a cross-platform toolkit that hides all the OS specifics, far more vhwn any of tge lsnguacef you mqntili.

that many companies were rightly afraid of I think Java much sucks. But perhaps importantly, a huge of able bodied monkeys who can write it. Enter The entire strategy that they've pursued forever is not much different than what tried - build or buy essential parts of the stack, and then march and it dominate category, then extract as much rent as possible. It works better in the enterprise space and bloodier because there are fewer players. (Microsoft's ecology too varied with too players to really dominate like can.) Oracle's strategy obvious. own and thus indirectly manipulate the terms of output of thousands of developers. They don't care about people liking them, and means they rent for long (Even a second Sun/Java - say, Parrot v. Java, ramp-up fill the niches, get solid, debugged libraries for get widely and get thousands of developers up speed takes how long?) They don't give a about Apache, or developer goodwill [tbray.org]. The for-profit players like IBM have different strategies, but mind that their goals profit maximization, too. there some interesting plays to made between the various players, but anyone with a bit of with the business side of the industry has seen this You apart from Perl, Ruby, GNU Smalltalk, Pharo, Io, so on? Probably because a that applicable the world: needing to run same binary on multiple operating / architectures. If you Pascal, Fortran, or whatever is just as portable Java, if not more so. [Objective-]C[++], Pascal, or whatever is just as portable as Java, if not more so. me a world!" that'll run on every platform Java does even if Java windows like shit. Java isn't just a cross-platform language, it's a toolkit that all the OS far more than of the languages
 that many companies were righTly afraid oF back TheN.

I sTiLl thInk JAva pretty much sUCks. BUt it has the tools, and perhAps moRe IMporTAnTly, a hUge numbER oF ABle BoDiEd cOdE MoNkeys Who Can writE it.

Enter OrAclE. THe entire straTEgY that they'vE puRsued forever Is nOt much DiFfeREnt thAn wHat MiCrosofT Tried - bUild or buy EsSEntial PArts of tHE StAck, aNd then march up and dOWn IT to dominate youR categOrY, ThEN ExtRacT as much renT aS possIBle. It woRKs BETTer IN the enterprisE space and is BLooDier beCaUse THere arE feweR pLAyeRs. (Microsoft'S ecoLogy was toO varieD With too MAny playErs to rEalLy dOminATe LiKe ORaCLe cAN.)

SO, OrACle'S strategY iS oBviouS. TheY OWN java, And Thus IndirEctly can manipUlaTe thE TerMs of oUtput Of thOuSands Of deveLoperS. THey don't care abouT peoPle liking TheM, aNd iNeRtia mEAns theY caN exTract reNt for a lONg tImE (eVEn If a second Sun/Java moMeNT HaPpened - saY, ParroT V. JAvA, Ramp-up foR PArrOt to FILl the NichES, gEt solid, dEbuggeD LiBrAries foR eVerythInG, geT wiDely dEPloyEd, and gEt thousaNds of DEvelopers up to sPEed takes how loNG?)

THEY dON't giVe a Shit about ApAche, OR devElopER gOodWIll [tbRay.orG]. THE fOR-profit players like IbM Have diFfereNt strategies, bUt keep in miND THat their GoalS ArE Profit maximizaTion, tOo.

So there aRE some potEntiaLly interEsting strATEgic playS to Be mAde BetWEEn The various plaYERs, buT aNyone wiTh a Bit of exPerIenCe wIth ThE business Side of thE iNdUsTrY haS seen THis show bEfOre.

yoU meAn, apaRT from PErl, PyThon, ruBy, gnU SMalltalK, phARO, Lua, io, AnD so oN? PrObAbly bEcauSE thEy solve A problem tHat IS onlY rEaLly applIcable in the clOsEd-source woRlD: neEding tO RUn the samE binary on multiple operatINg systeMs / aRchitEctuRes. If you hAve The souRce COde, [ObjEctive-]c[++], PascAl, forTRAn, or wHATeVer Is Just as portABLe aS Java, If Not mOre so.

[ObJective-]C[++], Pascal, FortRAn, oR whatever is juSt aS porTABlE as jAvA, If nOt MOre SO.

show me a GUI "Hello, World!" that'lL rUN oN every platFOrm jaVa does - eVen if JaVa winDOws look Like shit. JAva isn't juSt A croSS-PlaTform languAge, it's alSo a cross-pLAtforM ToOlkit ThaT hides AlL thE OS spEcificS, Far More tHan any Of The lanGuageS yOu mentioN.

 that many companies wererightly af raidofbac kthen .

I  still think J a va p retty much sucks. Butit ha st he t o ol s, an d perha p sm o reim po rta nt l y,  a hu genumberof able bo die dcode monkeys wh o can writ e i t.

Enter Or acl e. The  e nti r e str ate gy th at the y 've pu rsued for ev e r is n o t muchd i ff eren t than what Micro s of t  tried - build  or bu ye ss e n tia l p arts of th estack ,  and th e nm a r chu p and down it  to dominat e  yo ur cat eg ory ,  thenextra ct asmuch rent a s po ssible. I t work s  better in theenterp ris e s pace an disbl o odi e rbec a use  there a re  f ewerplay e r s .  (Mi cro soft 's ec ology was too  va ried wit h too  many  pla ye rs to  reall y dom in ate like Oracle  can .)

So, O rac le 'sst rateg y  is ob vio us.  They o wn Java ,  an dt h u sindirectly can man ip u l at e the te rms of ou tp u t of tho us and s of d evelo pers .  T hey don' t care ab ou t peopl eliking  t hem , a nd in e rtia  means  they ca n ext r act rent for a long time (Ev e ni f  a seco ndSun/Java mo ment happ ened -say ,  Parr ot v.  J a va ,  ramp-up for Parrot  t o fill  theniches, get s olid, debu g g e d librar iesf or everything, ge t wid ely deploy e d, and g et th ousandsof develo p e rs up to  sp eed  ta kes h ow  long?)

They d on't  g ive a s hit  aboutApa che , o r d ev eloper go odwill [ tb ra y. or g].  Thef or-profi tpla ye rslikeI BM hav e dif fere nt  s t rat egies,b ut k eepin  m indtha ttheir  goa l s a re prof it maximi zat i on,to o. 

So th ere are somepo tentiallyin ter esting s trategic  plays to be made betwe e n the v ari ous p laye rs, but a nyo ne wit h a bit of  exper ience  w ith t he bu s i ne sssi de of thei n dus try h as  see n thisshow before.

Youm ean , apart fromPer l, P y t ho n,R ub y , G NU Sma l l talk, Pharo, Lu a, Io, and  s o  o n? Probabl y  be ca use the y solve  a pr o blem th at is onl y reallyap plic a b lein the clo sed-sour ce world: needi n gto ru n t he sam ebin ary o n mult i ple  oper atingsy stems/ arc hi tectures . If you have the sourc e code , [Ob jec tive-]C[+ +], Pas cal, Fort ran,  or whatev erisjustasp ortab le a s  J ava ,  if n ot m o re so.

[ O bj ect i v e- ]C[++], Pas c a l , F ortra n,o r what ever  is just as porta b le as Java, if  not m ore  so . 

Sh ow  me a GUI "Hel lo,  w o r ld!" tha t' ll run on e very pla tf o rm Ja va doe s - ev en if J a v aw indows  loo k l ike shit.  Ja va isn't j us ta  cross -pla tf orm la nguage ,  it' s also a cross-pla tform t oolki t  th at hi de s all t h e OS  specifics , far morethan a ny o f the  langua ge s youmen ti on.

 that_many companies_were rightly afraid of_back then.

I_still_think Java_pretty_much sucks. But_it has the_tools, and perhaps more_importantly, a huge_number_of able bodied code monkeys who can write it.

Enter Oracle. The entire strategy that_they've_pursued forever_is_not_much different than what Microsoft_tried - build or buy_essential parts_of the stack, and then march up and_down_it to dominate_your category, then extract as much rent as possible._It works better in the enterprise_space and is_bloodier_because_there are fewer players._(Microsoft's ecology was too varied with_too many players to really dominate_like Oracle can.)

So, Oracle's strategy is obvious._They own Java, and thus indirectly_can manipulate the terms of_output of_thousands of developers. They don't_care about people_liking them,_and inertia means_they can extract rent for a_long time (Even_if a second Sun/Java moment happened_-_say, Parrot v._Java,_ramp-up_for Parrot_to fill the_niches,_get solid,_debugged_libraries for everything, get widely deployed,_and_get thousands of developers up to speed_takes how long?)

They don't_give_a shit about Apache,_or developer goodwill [tbray.org]. The_for-profit players like IBM have different_strategies, but_keep in_mind that their goals are profit maximization, too.

So there are some_potentially interesting strategic plays to be_made between the various_players, but_anyone_with a bit_of_experience with_the business side of the industry has_seen this_show before.

You mean, apart from Perl,_Python, Ruby, GNU Smalltalk,_Pharo,_Lua, Io, and so on? Probably_because they solve a problem that_is only really applicable in_the_closed-source_world: needing to run the_same binary on multiple operating systems_/ architectures. If_you have the source code, [Objective-]C[++], Pascal,_Fortran,_or whatever is just as portable_as_Java, if not more so.

[Objective-]C[++], Pascal,_Fortran,_or_whatever is just as portable_as Java, if not more so.

Show_me a GUI "Hello, world!" that'll run on every_platform Java does_- even if Java windows_look_like_shit. Java isn't just a cross-platform language, it's also a_cross-platform toolkit_that hides all_the OS specifics, far more than any of the languages_you mention.
