Microsoft woos Java developers to Redmond
Microsoft Corp.'s plans for an all-expenses-paid Java love-fest has some developers questioning Microsoft's sincerity in supporting the cross-platform programming environment.
Microsoft's Developer Relations Group is paying expenses for about 100 "Java Influentials" to visit Redmond Dec. 5-6 for its second Java Summit.
A Microsoft spokeswoman said Microsoft selected the individuals based on "their activities to support the developer community; activities such as running a user group, managing an online forum, writing articles or books, speaking at conferences and tradeshows." The company wants a small group to encourage candid discussion , she added.
Microsoft group product manager Cornelius Willis characterized the meeting as a routine customer briefing. "We look at technology as a tool for solving customer problems. We're not interested in engaging in religious debates. We will talk about how customers can take advantage of Java and Windows. We will listen to customer feedback."
Developers will have access to Microsoft product managers and executives who are working on "various Java, Windows platform, and Developer Tools products and technologies," according to a copy of the invitation examined by Sm@rt Reseller.
"We would like the chance to 'set the record straight' on how Java is supported by Microsoft and how it fits into our platform, tool, and technology strategy. ... [We] believe that your attendance and feedback at this briefing is important to the future Microsoft's Java strategy," the invitation said.
Rick Ross, president of the Java Lobby, will attend the summit and said he plans to publish his thoughts immediately after. The Java Lobby is an organization of developers and users that supports "Write Once, Run Anywhere" and claims to have no company affiliations. Ross spoke earlier this month at Ralph Nader's conference in Washington, D.C., on how Microsoft was damaging the portability of Java.
"There are a number of ways Microsoft could go with Java and be just fine," said Madhu Siddalingaiah, a Java Lobby board member. "The Microsoft domain is the highest number of hits on our Web site by about 5 to 1."
Bill Gates of Redmond, Wash., is registered as a member of the Java Lobby, although Siddalingaiah said he didn't know whether someone had registered under the name of the Microsoft CEO as a prank.
One developer attending the summit said he will do so with reservations. "Given Microsoft's own actions of yanking all Java from their Web sites, and not supporting JNI, RMI and JFC, all speak much more loudly than its words of 'We love Java.'
"Nonetheless, I remain open-minded and have no wishes to become 'enslaved' to the overly arrogant [Sun Microsystems Inc. CEO Scott] McNealy, and will continue to listen carefully when Willis, et al., point out the chinks in Sun's armor. If it weren't for AFC, would we have JFC today?" the developer said.