News

Sun Reaches Out to Java Developers with New Initiatives

• By John K. Waters
• June 27, 2005

Sun Microsystems is expected to use its annual JavaOne developer conference, under way this week in San Francisco, as a launch pad for new initiatives aimed at Java jocks.

The list of initiatives Sun is expected to unveil includes:

- Java User Group Program Expansion:
Sun is expanding its Top 25 Java User Group program to encompass the Top 50 Java User Groups worldwide. This program sets up a direct connection between Sun and named Java User Groups, and will provide them with Sun speakers, technology updates, software and other important information.

- New Java Technology Champions Program:
The Java Champions program will include a community of around 200, and eventually 1,000 worldwide, made up of external Java advocates and industry luminaries, including authors, professors, senior architects and community members. This will become the friends and family program for the Java platform, according to Sun.

- Sun Developer Network Growth and Enhancements:
Celebrating the two-year anniversary of the Sun Developer Network Program, Sun will be enhancing its offerings to developers by including the JavaOne Online content in the SDN membership benefits. The 2005 JavaOne conference technical sessions, including transcripts, will be available to all SDN Program members. SDN Program membership is free; all that is required is registration into the program.

The SDN Program reaches out to developers daily through technical content, blogs, chats, newsletters, forums and worldwide developers’ events. Since it was first introduced at the JavaOne conference two years ago, the program's membership has grown to more than 1 million developers worldwide, the company says. More than 25 percent of those members come from outside North America.

- New Collaboration Service for Java Technology Developers:
Following the recent release of Sun Java Studio Enterprise 7 with Instant Developer Collaboration capabilities, Sun is launching a new collaboration server designed to unite developer communities around the world instantly, says Sun, by enabling them to collaborate on Java application development issues using Java Studio Enterprise. For more information see: http://share.java.net.

"Sun has maintained its high level of commitment to the Java technology developer community throughout the past 10 years," says Joe Keller, VP of Sun’s Java Applications and Developer Programs, "and we will continue to drive innovation with new programs and initiatives that offer developers the opportunity to expand their knowledge and share information amongst their peers."