John Gage introduced Ed Zander, who talked about the business impact of Java, calling it a "breakthrough in computing." Forty-eight percent of companies are looking at or using Java today. MCI is now a Java partner - they're moving their customer services to Java. Home Depot is using Java to provide pen-based sales and inventory systems, and a kiosk for employment applications. Sony is using Java to connect disparate backend systems. Saab is using Java for customer information dispersal at dealerships.
Sun has been experimenting with Java for various applications:
Application migration
Thin clients
sun.net - providing remote secure access to Sun's internal net using Java SmartCards - the card is called the Enigma card, after the World War II German encryption engine.
John Gage then introduced Scott McNealy, the Chairman, President and CEO of Sun Microsystems. He did his usual top-10 list, but he didn't know the subject until the night before when someone mentioned the two top search items on amazon.com:
Java
Sex and the single nerd
So, Scott gave us "the top ten pickup lines at the Hacker's Lounge" (that is the chillout area provided for attendees in the upper area of the Moscone Center - it was cool, including a small movie theatre, live music, pinball, foos-ball, etc.); here are some:
Hi! I'm James Gosling!
Would you wear my Java Ring?
I'm plug and play!
Is there a backdoor to your system?
How about a group grep?
Is the engine as impressive as the front end?
and the number one pickup line:
Please!!!!!!
He then got slightly more serious, mentioning the large number of PJava licensees. A quote: "The whole industry has caught up and passed Microsoft." Three things Mr. McNealy suggested we developers keep in mind as we build Java systems:
User and implementation independence
Thin pipes to the desktop
Encryption (SSL)
Sun's plans over the next 12 months for Java:
Spend like crazy
Performance
Stability
Brand (compatibility)
Consumer devices (wearable computing - I have my ring on my finger as I type this)