Java Lobby pushes PC sellers to pre-install standard Java

San Francisco (August 3, 1998) — The Java Lobby recently began asking developers to sign a petition to urge hardware manufacturers and resellers to pre-install “a standard Java environment” (with or without other versions, such as Microsoft’s) on PCs.

Not surprisingly, Sun Microsystems welcomes the petition. “We are supportive of developers taking the initiative to express…to PC manufacturers that they support an open Java standard,” said Lew Tucker, director of strategic relations for Sun’s Java Software Division.

The JavaReady PC initiative — which is not related to Sun’s JavaPC, a way to run Java on older PCs with limited resources — reads:

Due to the importance of the Java platform and open standards, I firmly believe that it is in the best interests of consumers and PC Hardware Vendors to provide a standard Java environment on all new PCs.

The pre-installation of a standard Java Runtime Environment (JRE) and the Java Plug-In on PCs will provide consumers with the real Java support they need. This is beneficial to businesses, consumers, developers, software publishers and PC manufacturers.

I am asking that all PC Hardware Vendors respect open standards, consumer choice, and the freedom to innovate by shipping JavaReady PCs.

So far, no PC manufacturer can claim the JavaReady logo, but Java Lobby President Rick Ross said a few PC resellers have indicated they will make their PCs JavaReady.

The Java Lobby has approved Sun’s Java Plug-in and Java Runtime Environment with the latest bug fixes for Windows 95/98/NT because they are free. But the group indicates its motivation is not a vendor-specific Java environment, but a standard environment on all PCs.

Java Lobby vice president Madhu Siddalingaiah said the decision to address only Windows platforms is a “temporary compromise.” Siddalingaiah noted that other platforms will be added, and that the Lobby may cooperate with other vendors to include free software, “but at this time we are focusing on getting a compatible JVM into new boxes.” Members are being asked to suggest new products.

And because PC makers need to add only a JRE and Plug-in to the disk image that is copied to all PCs, according to the Lobby, the initiative shouldn’t add to the cost of a PC. Sun’s Tucker agrees that the addition of the JRE and Plug-in should require little effort from PC manufacturers and resellers.