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For six years, the Internet Nexus served as my technology blog, but I've since started blogging at the SuperSite Blog instead. If you're looking for the blog, please head there. --Paul

Thursday, July 01, 2004

Why Sun will open code for new 3D desktop

NewsForge: "Reaffirming its role as the 'benevolent guardian' of the far-ranging Java franchise, Sun Microsystems nonetheless continues to, in effect, tease enterprise developers and IT managers by opening the code of selected products. But not Java itself -- yet, anyway ... This week, Sun announced it is opening the code for its new 3D desktop software included in the newest version of the Linux-based Java Desktop System. Called Project Looking Glass, the software allows users to turn open windows and folders on the desktop on their sides -- and shrink them down to tiny sizes -- to open additional space on the desktop without having to close the window. Looking Glass works with Linux, Solaris, and Java applications running in the X Window System. Sun said the SDK will be available in a month or so and expects the open source community to lead the way on coming up with new features ... Kawahara said that he worked two hours a day for more than a year, including weekends, to build Looking Glass. He said he took no vacations and even risked his relationship with his girl friend to get the job done. 'I knew Microsoft and Apple were designing next-generation desktops, so I searched the Web about Linux, and couldn't find anything that had this, so I figured this is what I could do to (help) advance Linux,' he said."

[ Posted at 11:28 AM | Permalink ]