Sun announced a major contribution to the open source community by making four of its JavaTM technology innovations freely available on java.net. Project Looking Glass, Java 3DTM technology, JDesktop Integration Components (JDIC) and JDesktop Network Components (JDNC) are now available to the Java developer community as part of javadesktop.org.

"Today marks the beginning of a new era for Java technology innovation on the desktop," announced John Loiacono, executive vice president of Software at Sun during the 2004 JavaOneSM Conference. "Sun is now laying the groundwork for accelerated adoption and development of key Java technologies, spurring creativity and choice."

Project Looking Glass

The developer's release offers 3D Window Manager Platform -- a highly scalable Java 3D Application Programming Interface (API) with client-server model support that helps developers with design documents, initial specification and prototype implementation; 3D Window Manager and Application Development API -- enables development of new 3D desktop applications and 3D Window Manager features for the Project Looking Glass platform; Native Application Integration Module -- runs X11 applications within the 3D environment; Sample 3D Window Manager -- sample implementation for testing and demonstration purposes; and 3D Environment Lite -- stand alone, simplified 3D environment for development and testing that can be run on any Java 3D API-enabled platform including Linux and the SolarisTM Operating System (Solaris OS). For more information:

http://www.sun.com/software/project-looking-glass

Java 3D Technology

This is the Java 3D API that was used by NASA for its command and control system for the Mars Rover mission. It incorporates high-quality, scalable, platform-independent 3D graphics into applications and applets based on Java technology. Access Java 3D at:

http://java.sun.com/products/java-media/3D

To join the community:

http://java3d.dev.java.net

JDIC

This project's focus is on seamless desktop integration. Introduced in JavaTM 2 Standard Edition (J2SETM) 1.4.2 and the desktop integration enhancements in J2SE 5.0, JDIC assists with multi-platform application development. For more information:

http://jdic.dev.java.net

JDNC

Opening the door to highly interactive client applications, JDNC offers developers a set of high-level user interface components with built-in networking and data-binding support that can be configured via Extensible Markup Language (XML). For more information:

http://jdnc.dev.java.net

The aim of these open source projects, according to Sun, is to promote innovation, ease of development, integration and interactivity on the desktop and stimulate growth of the Java platform economy for all participants.

Loiacono said, "By contributing next-generation desktop technologies, providing simpler ways to create rich Java technology-based desktop content and integrating into the underlying operating system, Sun is broadening the desktop capabilities and ensuring ease-of-use for developers." [...read more...]

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