Related link: http://conferences.oreillynet.com/oscon
Want to know why people think there’s nothing interesting going on in Java? It’s marketing pieces like this from the Sun Java System Identity Manager page:
“Today’s enterprise faces unprecedented challenges in protecting sensitive data, increasing business process efficiencies, and keeping the cost of identity management under control — all at the same time. These challenges are exacerbated by an enterprise environment in which information security is critical, the amount of change is ever-increasing, and the pressure to comply with legislative mandates is on the rise. Enterprises can meet these challenges with Sun Java System Identity Manager, the industry’s only complete user provisioning and meta-directory solution that enhances enterprise security — while simultaneously delivering a significant ROI.”
Is that really supposed to interest or intrigue anyone?
It is the endless list of announcements like this one that convince most of my colleagues that Java is dull. Off the top of my head I can name dozens of really interesting projects and initiatives in Java right now and many of them are open source in some way or another. We’ve been looking for people involved in cool Java open source projects to submit session proposals for O’Reilly’s Open Source Convention, OSCON, held in Portland, OR July 24-28.
Tonight at midnight pacific time the OSCON Call for Participation closes. Is there an open source Java project you are passionate about? Write it up in a proposal and click the submit button.
Why not?
If you evaluate a piece of software by watching out for pompous marketing speech, you might miss the value (and price) of the software.
Disclaimer: I actually work in the field of identity management, and the project I'm at uses the Sun Identity Manager. I do not work for Sun Microsystems.
Re: Why not?
When I saw this quote, I immediately though of Cluetrain Manifesto (http://www.cluetrain.com/) , point 15: In just a few more years, the current homogenized "voice" of business—the sound of mission statements and brochures—will seem as contrived and artificial as the language of the 18th century French court.
Re: Why not?
Cluetrain Manifesto? 1999 wasn't it....I remember running around trying to get everybody to read this stuff
Wish I could detect some small change in the marketing dross.
Sometimes the worst culprit is me...
We live in hope.