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Why Didn't IBM Get Java?

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Steve

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Apr 24, 2012, 10:11:45 AM4/24/12
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When Sun failed, why didn't IBM get Java. It seems like IBM had a lot
of interest in Java and did a lot for it years ago.

Josh Maines

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Apr 25, 2012, 6:37:26 AM4/25/12
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On Apr 24, 9:11 am, Steve <tinker...@gmail.com> wrote:
> When Sun failed, why didn't IBM get Java.  It seems like IBM had a lot
> of interest in Java and did a lot for it years ago.

I imagine IBM simply couldn't outbid Oracle or did not have proper
investment in the technology at that specific time. IBM having past
interest is different from having enough current interest to pay for
the technology rights. Besides, if IBM wanted to, they could invest
in developing a new technology to replace Java. We have many open
source alternatives, too.

Roedy Green

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Apr 26, 2012, 6:46:11 PM4/26/12
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On Tue, 24 Apr 2012 10:11:45 -0400, Steve <tink...@gmail.com> wrote,
quoted or indirectly quoted someone who said :

>When Sun failed, why didn't IBM get Java. It seems like IBM had a lot
>of interest in Java and did a lot for it years ago.

Oracle had deep pockets at the time and could outbid IBM who was
pulling in its horns at the time. If Oracle dropped Java for some
reason, I suspect IBM would invent something to fill the void, perhaps
not java to avoid royalty problem, but close enough everyone could
quickly convert their code.

I am not sure "Sun failed" is completely accurate. I think might be
more accurate to say the shareholders could get more money selling the
company than continuing business as usual. Consider that Bill Joy had
already left. Scott McNealy was a preoccupied with hurting Microsoft
rather than making money.
--
Roedy Green Canadian Mind Products
http://mindprod.com
When you were a child, if you did your own experiment
to see if it was better to put to cocoa into your cup first
or the hot milk first, then you likely have the programmer gene..

Steve

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May 15, 2012, 9:52:03 AM5/15/12
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On 4/26/2012 6:46 PM, Roedy Green wrote:

> company than continuing business as usual. Consider that Bill Joy had
> already left. Scott McNealy was a preoccupied with hurting Microsoft
> rather than making money.

I had that some thought a number of times. I am no fan of Microsoft,
but I thought McNealy was devoting more head space to hating Microsoft
than was good for the company.

Contrast that with Google who decided to let Microsoft have their
sandbox by themselves and go take over an entire beach instead

Steve

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