“A group of companies that don’t want to play by Sun
Microsystems’ Java rules have formed an outside work group into an
outfit called the J Consortium.
“The companies, including Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft, and
NewMonics, have formalized an ongoing effort to set a standard for
a component of Java called ‘real-time’ extensions. Real-time
extensions are features that enable Java to work in devices like
factory floor robots which must respond to commands immediately (in
‘real time’).
“J Consortium members say they’re unhappy with Sun’s dominance
and that Sun detracts from the effort to actually build products,
according to Kelvin Nilson, chief technology officer for NewMonics
and technology chairman for the J Consortium.
“Sun, with a parallel and competing effort under way, says its
development process is open and objects strongly to the outside
effort.”