Welcome to the 2006 JavaOne Conference

The Power of Java Technology is YOU!

Every year I'm amazed at how fast Java technology continues to evolve and expand into areas that, quite frankly, we would never have imagined. Just consider this-Today there are more than 3.25 billion Java technology-powered devices around the world. That's over 800 million desktops, over 1 billion mobile phones and other handheld devices, and over 1.5 billion smart cards.

What is it about this technology that makes it able to grow and mature while still being at the core of innovation? In large part, I believe the answer is you-the more than 5 million developers using Java each and every day. You are part of the world's largest and most active community. Through the Java Community Process program, anyone can offer ideas, recommend changes, and help shape the future of the Java platform.

In fact, it's your innovations and this community that have helped make the Java brand one of the most well-known and respected in the industry. Java technology is recognized by an amazing 86 percent of tech-savvy consumers who base their purchase decisions on whether a product runs Java or not. Java technology truly has become the key ingredient of the digital experience for hundreds of millions of people across the planet.

The 2006 JavaOne conference celebrates Java technology's 11th year as a platform and language. And this year's event promises to be more exciting than ever. Whether you're new to the conference or an alumni, you're going to see firsthand the power and breadth of Java technology. You'll have the opportunity to meet industry experts, network with peers, and get hands-on experience with new Java tools and technologies. Plus, there are hundreds of expert-led, in-depth technical sessions where you'll be able to discover the latest in Java innovations.

For example, you'll learn about the new Java Platform, Enterprise Edition 5, which represents the most significant update to the Enterprise Java platform in years. The new ease-of-development features in the Java EE 5 platform are designed to enable developers to get more accomplished in less time and reduce the complexity of the code they produce.

Or you'll learn about Java Platform, Standard Edition 6, the next major release and first “feature complete” version of the Java SE platform. It's in beta release now, soon to be available, and is the result of unprecedented levels of collaboration between Sun engineers, registered researchers, and the overall Java community.

In addition to the wealth of learning opportunities available, a few of this year's event highlights include:

	Java University Program-Attend one-day courses created and delivered by Sun certified instructors.
	The JavaOne Pavilion-Compare and contrast Java technology-based solutions from more than 90 companies.
	Duke's Choice Awards-Celebrate extreme innovation using the Java platform.
	NetBeans Software Day-Learn what's happening with the NetBeans IDE and platform.
	Collaboration Corners-Meet with your peers to share common interest and solutions.

At Sun, we believe that sharing ideas, expertise, and technology fosters participation and innovation. That's why right from the start, we shared Java with the worldwide community, to create new opportunities and drive new markets. And that's also why we created the JavaOne conference.

JavaOne is for developers who use Java technology to inspire thought, drive innovation, and create new possibilities. It's your conference. I'm confident that you'll find this year's event a rewarding experience. And I'd like to thank you for being part of the Java community and for helping make Java technology what it is today.

Enjoy the Conference!

Jonathan Schwartz
President and Chief Executive Officer
Sun Microsystems, Inc.