Topic 9 of 29: Java & Javascript
Sat, Oct 3, 1998 (12:46) |
Ray Lopez (ratthing)
talk about your experiences with Java!
8 responses total.
Topic 9 of 29 [computer]: Java & Javascript
Response 1 of 8: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Tue, Oct 6, 1998 (09:48) * 173 lines
IBM's last desktop stand: Netscape yes, Windows no, OS/2 on it's own
By Sm@rt Reseller
October 5, 1998 4:28 AM PT
It's a software initiative that could decide who owns corporate
desktops for the next 10 years. More vaporware from Microsoft Corp.?
Hardly. This time, it's IBM Corp. taking the offensive.
Indeed, IBM (NYSE:IBM) has drawn up a strategic blueprint to transform
its enterprise business into an electronic-commerce powerhouse that
spans millions of corporate desktops. In addition to betting the bank
on Java, the blueprint calls for IBM to pump up Netscape's desktop
business, head off Microsoft's Web browser and aggressively push OS/2
Warp customers onto other platforms.
That strategy, outlined in a 12-page internal document from IBM's
Network Computing Software Division and viewed by Sm@rt Reseller, banks
heavily on buy-in from IBM's resellers and technology partners.
The IBM document, dated July 30, was posted briefly on an independent
OS/2 Web site last week. IBM was none too pleased about the leak. Jeff
Smith, director of OS/2 Business Line Management and Network Computing
Software, successfully petitioned the Web site's manager to remove the
document but was unavailable for comment.
While Smith wasn't talking, the document spoke volumes about IBM's most
pressing business concerns.
In a worst-case scenario, Microsoft (Nasdaq:MSFT) could cripple IBM if
Bill Gates & Co. succeeds in making Windows an e-commerce standard
containing proprietary application programming interfaces. The document
says that Microsoft's Internet, Zero Administration Windows, Windows CE
and Windows-based terminal efforts are designed to prevent the
widespread adoption of Java "by extending Windows with the key features
required to support network computing."
What does all that mean? In a nutshell, the paper says IBM is striving
to keep corporate desktops open by teaming with Netscape Communications
Corp. (Nasdaq:NSCP) to position Java applications against Microsoft's
COM/DCOM object model, "which locks customers into Windows on both the
client and the server."
Java majority by 2003
IBM hopes to ensure that 50 percent of PCs in 2003 are capable of
running 100% Pure Java applications. "We will accomplish this by
helping Netscape remain a major player on the desktop and ensuring the
100% Pure Java applications will run in Microsoft's Internet Explorer,"
the document says.
But Microsoft isn't the only company keeping IBM up at night. IBM's
software strategy also identifies two surprising names that could
undermine Big Blue's massive e-business offensive: Cisco Systems Inc.
(Nasdaq:CSCO) and Network Associates (Nasdaq:NETA).
IBM fears that Cisco may succeed in transforming its Internetworking
Operating System and Microsoft's Active Directory into a networking
platform "for building and deploying value-added services."
That's precisely Cisco's plan. "We respect IBM and its e-business
efforts, but it missed the boat on networking and desktop OSes," says a
Cisco exec who requested anonymity. "Cisco and Microsoft are a natural
combination for e-commerce."
Network Associates challenges
Network Associates, meanwhile, is rapidly emerging as a premier
supplier of enterprise security and management software-a market
reality that threatens the viability of IBM's Tivoli subsidiary.
To combat those threats, the paper says IBM needs to establish Java as
the de facto industry standard for building, deploying and managing
e-business applications. The company also must build a high-growth
business helping customers extend their networking infrastructure to
support e-business across heterogeneous systems. Along the way, IBM
hopes to provide best-of-breed networking infrastructure technology.
IBM's strategy banks heavily on support from resellers, ISVs and key
vendor allies, such as Netscape, Novell Inc. (Nasdaq:NOVL) and Sun
Microsystems Inc. (Nasdaq:SUNW).
On the reseller front, IBM says that 75 percent of fulfillment for
eNetwork PC and Unix products is through the channel, but only 10
percent of the company's resellers are actively selling those products.
It also identifies specific target resellers for certification and
active selling as IBM systems and network integrators, Novell Platinum
resellers, and Microsoft SNA Server Solution Providers.
Backed by its partners, IBM hopes to have 50 percent of new apps built
on Java by 2003, and it wants to make Java a standard on 50 percent of
new client devices (smart phones, etc.) by 2001.
IBM's plan without its challenges. For starters, IBM says Netscape must
maintain at least 30 percent of the browser market.
Otherwise, "ISVs will drop support, customers will start moving to IE
and the battle for the client will be lost," the document says. IBM
already is formulating a backup plan to "protect its server business,"
just in case IE tramples Netscape on the desktop.
OS/2 biggest loser
The biggest loser in IBM's Java initiative is OS/2. The document
confirms that IBM will continue cutting OS/2 R&D. "Eventually,
customers will have to move to another platform or accept a lower level
of function if they stay on OS/2," the document says.
Still, resellers seeking an alternative to Windows may forgive IBM for
scrapping OS/2, if Big Blue makes good on its e-business and Java
promises.
Reported by Ed Sperling, Joseph C. Panettieri, Esther Schindler and
Deborah Gage
Topic 9 of 29 [computer]: Java & Javascript
Response 2 of 8: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Tue, Oct 6, 1998 (09:48) * 71 lines
IBM's plan for domination
By The staff, Sm@rt Reseller
October 5, 1998 5:07 AM PT
IBM lays out its five-step Java plan...:
1. Promote Netscape: Help Navigator maintain at least a 30-percent
share of the browser market.
2. Partner With HP: Both will promote embedded Java.
3. Keep PCs Open: Ensure that at least 50 percent of PCs in 2003 can
run 100% Pure Java applications.
4. Target Internet Explorer: Help Sun enhance Activator, which supports
100% Pure Java apps on Microsoft's Web browser.
5. Think Thin: Make at least 50 percent of new client types (set-top
boxes, etc.) support 100% Pure Java apps by 2001.
...But Big Blue has six potential problems:
1. Java Isn't Proven: Network Computing Software Division Strategy "is
based on several unproven emerging markets."
2. Strategic Partners: "The entire industry must behave like a single,
focused competitor to Microsoft. It is difficult and time-consuming to
keep the coalition together."
3. ISVs: "IBM does not have a good track record with independent
software vendors."
4. Internet Explorer: "If Microsoft dominates the browser, it will make
it difficult for us to succeed."
5. Java Funding: "Netscape and Sun are faced with their own financial
challenges and are not able to fund their 'fair share.' "
6. Cost/Complexity Of Heterogeneity: "Our costs will be higher and our
margins lower than Microsoft." ...And undermines OS/2
1. Slash R&D: IBM has "significantly reduced investments" in OS/2, and
predicts that there will be a "continuing competitive erosion of OS/2
as both a server and a client."
2. Reduce Partnerships: There is "a continued decline in OS/2 support
by our solution partners and other IBM divisions."
3. Move OS/2 Customers To Java: "Eventually, customers will have to
move to another platform or accept a lower level of function" from
OS/2.
Source: IBM Network Computer Software Division Strategy document.
Topic 9 of 29 [computer]: Java & Javascript
Response 3 of 8: Ray Lopez (ratthing) * Tue, Oct 6, 1998 (10:14) * 5 lines
terry, just out of curiosity, how does this news affect what you
do for a living?
Topic 9 of 29 [computer]: Java & Javascript
Response 4 of 8: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Tue, Oct 6, 1998 (21:52) * 2 lines
It's the project I'm working on.
Topic 9 of 29 [computer]: Java & Javascript
Response 5 of 8: wer (KitchenManager) * Fri, Oct 9, 1998 (00:47) * 1 lines
Thomas is going to school on Java for an IBM affiliate right now...
Topic 9 of 29 [computer]: Java & Javascript
Response 6 of 8: Wolf (wolf) * Sat, Oct 10, 1998 (21:25) * 1 lines
ok, i finally mosey'd on over here and i still don't know what java is about *grin*
Topic 9 of 29 [computer]: Java & Javascript
Response 7 of 8: Rev. Thomas H. Smith (CotC) * Mon, Nov 2, 1998 (12:50) * 5 lines
Howdy,
Check out http://www.alphaWorks.ibm.com/Home
There's some kinda nifty Java hoohah a'goin' on over there.
Topic 9 of 29 [computer]: Java & Javascript
Response 8 of 8: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Mon, Nov 2, 1998 (14:21) * 2 lines
That's a good site along with http://www.gamelan.com
computer conference 
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