It's now Thursday morning and we're just a little late with our Day 2 wrapup.  Yesterday was a crazy day followed by a night where it seemed that everyone had decided to schedule their parties on the same day. 

Does JavaFX Deserve The Bad Rap?
If you've been following any of the blogs in the Java space, then you've likely seen the bad rap that JavaFX has taken.  In general, people have said it's too little, too late, and too poorly implemented.  I think though, that people are forgetting one important thing: it's all going to be open source.  Sun is playing a different sort of game here I think.  Yes, it's true that they are trying to compete with the likes of Adobe and Microsoft with JavaFX Script, but I think the real game is with JavaFX Mobile.  With JavaFX Mobile, we're talking potentially about an iPhone like interface on a variety of phones.  Did you see  the UN up on stage with Adobe or Microsoft or even Apple? 

Sun, with this open source mobile stack, is looking to bring the $10 connected device to everyone.  Sure, we can make some slick rich internet applications for the desktop with JavaFX Script, Apollo, or Silverlight, but does anyone in Africa or in some places in Asia even have a PC?  Here in the US, we sometimes forget that the rest of the world actually uses their phones to interface with the web and stay totally connected.  Our major experience with this the BlackBerry and its email. 

It's true, that perhaps JavaFX is too little, too late, but I also think that most people aren't giving it a fair chance.  It's all of 3 days old (in some sense), and I think it deserves the chance to see whether it really can bring about a more connected world. 

Always a pleasure to meet Javalobby members
Yesterday at lunch, I had the pleasure of meeting two of Javalobby's members and sitting down for a conversation.  At the show this year, I know that I've meet at least a dozen or so people who read our newsletters week after week, and it always reinvigorates me hearing them give their feedback.  The other thing that never ceases to amaze me is just how freaking smart Javalobby members are.  Our members are architects, founders, and engineers, they're spec leads and independent JCP members.  It's always refreshing to be able to sit down, not know the person across from you, but know that you have something in common.  The fact that you're an active Javalobby member means something and it opens the door to better and richer conversations.  Tony and Jean-Marie, thanks for joining me for lunch; I really enjoyed it.  To everyone else that I might have missed, I'll be around the show floor today, feel free to stop by and say hello.

Don't forget about JavaOne AfterDark!
This year, it looks like JavaOne  AfterDark is going to have a decidedly industrial feel to it.  Watch the notorious Battle Bots try to destroy each other and listen to unauthorized and underground classic rock.  Even though I'll be trying to catch a flight out sometime this evening, I'm hoping to at least get to the party for a little while and catch the Kiss and Rolling Stone cover bands.  See you at the party.

Help us cover the last day
Since we'll be gone on the last day of JavaOne, we could use a little help from all the excellent JavaOne members covering the show.  After the show is over, we'd like to send a wrapup of the last day, and for that, we need your help.  If you see something interesting tomorrow or perhaps had a great time at the party tonight, please send us something at editors@javalobby.org.  Be sure to include your name and a little bit about you and we'll get you published!

Until Next Time,
Matthew Schmidt
matt@javalobby.org
Yahoo IM: mattschmidtjl