June 3rd, 2009
JavaOne's days are numbered
This week in San Francisco is Sun’s big JavaOne conference. It has traditionally been an important event but I’m wondering how much longer it has to run.
Charles Babcock pointed out that until just a few days before the conference the keynote speakers remained unannounced. Probably because it was unclear if Larry Ellison, Sun’s new owner (unless the DOJ or HP come to the rescue) would be there. He was, he made a surprise appearance reports Lance Whitney at News.com.
Despite Mr Ellison’s late hour support, I’m not that encouraged about the future of JavaOne. I know from Sun insiders that the company has been looking to get rid of its obligation to host the conference for several years because it’s a large cost in money and time. And what’s the point? Java has become part of the day-to-day landscape of the IT world, there isn’t much to left to evangelise.
And there isn’t much about today’s Java that needs a big conference setting, which isn’t already being done online, and in small community meetings.
JavaOne was groundbreaking in its time but these days it’s reason for being has passed — primarily because it succeeded.
Oracle or not, JavaOne has run its course, imho.
Tom Foremski reports on the business and culture of Silicon Valley at the intersection of technology and media. He also writes at Silicon Valley Watcher. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
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