Sun’s Java Desktop hurries to India

Chinmayee S

BANGALORE: Sun’s low-cost open source desktop is all set to hit India within the next two weeks. Sun Java Desktop system, which was earlier code-named Mad Hatter is squarely aimed at Microsoft. Java Desktop system costs $100 per desktop, or for $50 per employee, as an add-on to the Sun Java Enterprise System

“Mad Hatter (Java Desktop System) will be launched in India within two weeks. You will see a lot of other activity from Sun as well”, says K.P.Unnikrishnan, Country Head, Marketing, KP Unnikrishnan, Sun Microsystems in India. Other products such as Java Enterprise (earlier code-named Orion) are also expected to be launched soon. Sun is also expected to announce a set of software tools for developers working with Java Enterprise System.

Java Desktop system is based on open-source software such as GNOME, Mozilla, StarOffice, Ximian Inc.'s Evolution and Linux. Richard Green, vice president of development tools at Sun, had earlier said that companies looking to upgrade from older version of Windows were looking for cheaper operating systems and that Mad Hatter would appeal to them because of its lower cost. The new product is touted as “50 to 75%” cheaper than Windows.

Sun is also working with RealNetworks Inc. to feature the online video and audio streaming product, RealOne media player, along with the Java Desktop system. Sun is clear that it will not throw out Solaris. Although it will promote Linux "on Intel, where it runs best", it will continue to bet on Solaris for Intel-based servers and on the traditional Sun SPARC systems.

Sun has an enormous influence on the developer community with the Java brand but that does nothing for its bottomline or its diminishing market position — a situation that Sun hopes to drastically alter with its new products.