RFC: Spin Java petition

[Arnaud Vandyck]

Hi,

I've just read an article on Newsforge:
http://newsforge.com/newsforge/03/10/02/1240243.shtml?tid=3

And in a comment, I saw this reference:
http://www.petitiononline.com/spinjava/petition.html

I copy the text below. I did not sign the petition right now because I'd
like to have your comments before doing it (or not!) ;)

Thanks for your attention.

--- START ---

To: Sun Microsystems and Scott McNealy

Firstly, we, Java  developers, give you our most  heartfelt and grateful
thanks. Your  dedication, insight, and  innovation have given  the world
what is the premier platform  for computer programming, and ushered in a
new era of  pervasive computing that will impact  all facets of people's
daily lives  for decades or more to  come. When Sun is  talked about 100
years from today,  it is Java that will be the  main focus of attention,
and rightly so.  It is rare for  a company that started out  as a "mere"
hardware company to  aspire to such immortality, but  by your hard work,
perseverance,  and  tenaciousness  you  have  granted  Sun  a  place  in
history. 

Alas, there now comes a time when  we must consider whether it is in the
best interest of your creation, Java, to be set free. 

Spinning off  Java as part  of a closely  aligned sister company  of Sun
would seal Java's dominance in  programming for the next several decades
and lift  it to heights yet  unseen. As a  parent, I'm sure I  too would
grieve if  my children grew  up and  left, but I  know that this  is the
natural progression of  life, and that they would be  the better off for
it. 

For Java,  the advantages are  clear enough. For example,  parties which
had maintained  a distance  from Java because  of its  relationship with
what  they believe  to be  a threatening  and gigantic  hardware company
would  be  more  likely to  embrace  Java  (e.g.  the Linux  crowd).  In
addition, Sun competitors like IBM, HP,  and BEA would be more likely to
continue to  stick with Java and market  Java if they knew  it would not
benefit a direct competitor. 

Please consider our petition, and thank you again. 

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

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-- Arnaud Vandyck, STE fi, ULg
   Formateur Cellule Programmation.

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