 | |
The Sun Java Desktop System (JDS), recently released for general availability, offers a comprehensive, secure, highly-affordable enterprise desktop solution that is simple to use and works with existing infrastructure. Based on both open source and open standards and backed by Sun, it offers a tightly-integrated and tuned client environment with system stability, manageability, and usability. The JDS is also interoperable with the prevailing desktop platform. Available for the Linux operating environment, the JDS includes a GNOME desktop environment and can run native and Java applications. It also includes:
Java Technology SupportSince Java is the preferred development environment for enterprise systems and emerging technologies such as web services, the JDS can be customized with a rich set of Java application development tools. Whether you are accessing data sources from back-end servers, writing desktop software for vertical customer relationship management (CRM) applications, or simply adding some custom desktop utilities, the Java Desktop System's built-in support for Java software makes this both possible and secure. Many of the Java Desktop System's features have garnered worldwide support from governments and industry leading Independent Software Vendors (ISV's) including China Standard Software Company, Macromedia, Adobe, Real, and many more. With the rapidly growing Linux desktop market, developers now have a tremendous opportunity to broaden the reach of their applications beyond just Windows and Macintosh desktop environments. Java Desktop System's Major ComponentsThe desktop environment for the JDS is based on the GNOME desktop environment and comes with an extensive set of tools and utilities including a Sun-branded look and feel. Users unfamiliar with GNOME will find that it provides a colorful and intuitive graphical user interface (GUI) that makes it easy to locate documents, access menus, launch applications, personalize their work environment and even try Java programming on a Linux platform.
Programming Java applets could be less fun without a high performance web browser. Good news! The Mozilla 1.4 web browser is bundled in the JDS and can run any web-based application. It's also equipped with built-in privacy and security, and protection against junk mail and pop-up ads. Another favorite feature is tabbed browsing. Mozilla is also loaded with applet and Java Web Start running capabilities which lets you easily develop, test and run Java applets and applications. Java Web Start technology lets you run standalone Java applications with a single click over the network. It also ensures the most current version of the application will be deployed, as well as the correct version of the Java Runtime Environment (JRE).
The StarOffice 7 office suite is bundled into the JDS. It offers word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, drawing, and database capabilities. It also provides a platform for adding Java code to create dynamic office documents. StarOffice components can be embedded into Java applications as well as be extended and customized in the Java programming language. Find out more at the StarOffice SDK website.
The JDS comes with J2SE v1.4.2_02 API for creating and running thousands of new Java desktop applications. Along with this new version of J2SE, there are more new features to mention; The Java Media Framework (JMF) is bundled together with an Ogg Vorbis (audio format) and a MP3 codec (in addition to the standard codecs bundled with JMF).
The latest J2SE version has extended the Swing GTK+ look and feel functionality. This lets you develop Java applications that take on the Java Desktop System's native look and feel or the native look and feel for whichever operating system will be running the application. You can switch on GTK+ look and feel in your Java applications by using the method, The JDS includes jEdit, the open source, Java technology-based programmer's text editor. jEdit is highly configurable and customizable. Features include auto indent and syntax highlighting, a built-in macro language and extensible plug in architecture with many macros and plug ins available. There is support for a large number of character encodings including UTF8 and Unicode, and folding for selectively hiding regions of text.
JDictionary is another popular tool bundled into the JDS with an open source license. It's an English dictionary application with language translation capabilities. Written in the Java programming language, JDictionary is platform-independent with an intuitive user interface where typically users understand the whole concept very quickly. The application can upgrade itself, upgrade its plug ins, and provide news and information about new plug ins. JgraphPad, is the third open source Java application bundled within the JDS. It's a favorite tool to document and communicate application ideas and architecture. With JgraphPad you can store drawings in XML, drag & drop .gif, .jpeg and .png file formats, create flow charts, maps, UML diagrams, and add screen shots in documentation. There's automatic layout, print support, and version history storage as well. JDiskReport is the fourth pre-loaded Java application. It allows you to monitor the amount of disk drive space that files and directories take up. You can also analyze your disk drives as well as collect and view many statistics through overview charts and details tables. Sun's Security CommitmentAs the technology provider that secures the world’s highest value networks, Sun takes security seriously. The JDS was designed as a safe platform that leverages both the Java security model and the secure infrastructure of the Linux operating system. For Java applets and applications, the Java sandbox security infrastructure provides another means of preventing viruses from further infecting the system environment. Enhanced security features, such as single sign-on support through Java Card(tm) technology and integration with the Java System Identity Server (formerly Sun ONE Identity Server), will also be featured in the JDS. The Linux operating system’s strict security system prevents viruses, worms, and unauthorized users from modifying system files without Root access, so it is far less of a target than platforms such as Windows. If security issues exist, the open source design philosophy makes them easy to troubleshoot and repair. AffordabilityWith the JDS, businesses finally have an affordable desktop allowing users immediate productivity. With its two pricing options, Sun's Java Desktop System offers 75 percent total cost of acquisition savings compared to Windows-centric clients. The JDS is available at very attractive introductory pricing of $50 per desktop per year, a savings of 50 percent over the regular list price of $100. This introductory pricing is available until June 2, 2004. For companies who wish to purchase a JDS for every employee in the company, the introductory pricing is even more attractive -- at $25 per employee per year (also 50 percent off the regular list price of $50). Looking AheadDown the line, users can anticipate more interesting Java applications to be included inside the Java Desktop System. Curtis Sasaki, vice president of desktop solutions at Sun mentioned that the company sees a need for more collaboration around end-to-end solutions that enable users to easily share documents, video, audio, file sharing, instant messaging, and many more. "We bundle in four Java applications to start and are working to include many additional, interesting applications," said Sasaki. "We have an open desktop and are always on the lookout to include interesting Java applications." See Also
Java Desktop System Information | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| |
| ||||||||||||
Print-friendly Version
