While Microsoft and its rivals are introducing more and more cloud computing options, such offerings also usher in an entirely new set of risks for customers. The platform lock-in game, in fact, moves to the cloud. But there’s a right and a wrong way to anticipate such lock-in. Related tech analysis: Microsoft reaches for the cloud. IBM, meanwhile, unwraps the iDataPlex for customers running heavily trafficked Web 2.0 sites, just not before rotating the rack-mounted server 90 degrees to better fit datacenter racks. Sun looks to free up the rest of Java. Stepping up efforts to boost Java usage on Linux, Sun says it is working to eliminate the final encumbrances inhibiting a fully open source version of Java that, ultimately, could ship with Linux distributions. What with yesterday being Earth Day and all, questions emerged about hardware recycling — a nonprofit accused some organizations of actually causing more damage in the name of recycling electronic components. And the venerable Robert X. Cringely points out how tech companies, particularly Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Yahoo can do more to save the planet. “Steve jobs recycles the same jeans and turtleneck every time he gives one of his ‘one more thing’ presentations.” Ah, but that is simply not enough. Technology Industry