Tuesday Afternoon General Session

This session discussed the state of the internet, it's future, and how Sun and Java are/will support the web.

Application genres:

Terminal Apps
Client/Server Apps
Web Apps
Rich Net Apps
Integrated Rich Clients

The goal is to make it easier to assemble apps and content; increase "rich interactivity".

JavaFX makes building GUIs easier. JavaFX is a declarative language that wraps Swing and takes the tediousness out of building GUIs. This looks promising.

Java SE 6

Web Servicess Stack
Scripting Language support
Desktop API enhancements
Tools API
Custom annotations
Compiler access
Diagnostic tools attach on demand.
Co-bundled JDBC database
Improved swing fidelity

Open source JDK, openjdk.java.net

Java SE 7

Super packages
Super jars
First class support for other languages, scripting.dev.java.net
New byte code

A focus will be on the consumer experience: quick start, modular JRE, better install experience.

Nasa and Sun Collaborate on World Wind

World Wind is a geo spatial browser. Create your own mash up. Very cool. http://worldwind.arc.nasa.gov/