Lately, there has been a lot of talk about how Sun Microsystems should give up its role as steward of the Java programming language and offer up Java to an open source format, enabling developers to do what they want with the code. Proponents argue that new possibilities might arise for Java through open source. Sun counters that Java already is malleable enough and that compatability needs to be maintained with the Java platform.Funny how two of the major proponents of open sourcing Java are two Sun competitors – IBM and BEA Systems. How many of us are open to business advice from major competitors, particularly on matters related to our company’s crown jewel technology? While some may have gripes with the Java Community Process for amending Java, it seems to be a good enough system for expanding the realm of Java. An open source format could lead to variants of Java that do not work with each other. Open source is not the solution for all ills, if there is even an ill here to be considered. Let’s keep the status quo for Java. Technology Industry