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Open source the future, says Sun

Previews array of new products and services

Johannesburg, 24 Feb 2004

Supporting its assertion that open source systems are the future of affordable computing, Sun Microsystems has previewed a number of new products and roadmaps for Linux support of the Sun Java Enterprise System, Java Studio development tools and new AMD Opteron processor-based x86 systems.

"These previews confirm Sun's intention to deliver on its strategy of bringing innovations to the Linux OS," says Dumisani Mtoba, senior systems engineer at Sun Microsystems SA.

According to Mtoba, the previews are focused on three key areas:

* Desktop technologies. This includes the next version of the Sun Java Desktop System and future management features for the Java Desktop System. Included in this category is Linux on ultra-thin Sun Ray client systems and a radical new three-dimensional (3D), Java technology-based PC interface (code-named "Project Looking Glass").

* Enterprise software and hardware. Sun has demonstrated its Java Enterprise System, an integrated infrastructure software solution for simplifying data centre deployment, operation and management.

* Linux development tools. Sun has revealed future developer desktop solution that combines Sun's new Java Studio Creator, code-named "Project Rave", a drag-and-drop Java Application Builder, with the Java Desktop System and NetBeans, Sun's open source Java IDE.

Further evidence of the uptake of off-the-shelf open source alternatives from Sun is the announcement from Japanese reseller SOURCENEXT that it will offer StarOffice (known as StarSuite in Japan) at more than 15 000 retail outlets throughout Japan, including home electronics, convenience and bookstores.

"Open source products are increasingly becoming the first choice not only for cost-conscious businesses, but also those that have had enough of paying too much for their technology systems. Sun is working to provide reliable and simple products through these initiatives," concludes Mtoba.

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Sun Microsystems, Inc

Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision - "The Network Is The Computer" - has propelled Sun Microsystems, Inc (Nasdaq: SUNW) to its position as a leading provider of industrial-strength hardware, software and services that make the Net work. Sun can be found in more than 100 countries and on the World Wide Web at http://www.sun.com.

Editorial contacts

Elise Roscoe
Sun Microsystems
(011) 256 6300
elise.roscoe@sun.com