Need advice on presenting an Initiative to Sun
I am exploring channels to present ideas to Sun for a new initiative. Does anybody know how to go about this process? I came across the Java Community Process page and initially thought of submitting a Java Specification Request(JSR), but only paying members can submit JSR's. Besides technically this is not a JSR so that would not be the appropriate channel anyway.
I am also reluctant to approach any third party member because the idea I have is really very simple, and I wouldn't want anyone to steal it from me sideline me the same way that Microsoft is known to have done with smaller companies/individuals. Does anybody have any
information about Sun's reputation in this regard?
If this idea gets implemented, it could very well be Sun's answer to Microsoft's decision to drop java from its XP operating system. Even though might sound very ambitious/premature to say this at this stage, the impact that it can create in the computing world can be as big as that created by Java itself.
I am not seeking judgements, serious helpful tips only please. Replies may also be sent to
Initiative_2001@yahoo.com.
I think you can join the JCP without paying if you join as an individual and not a company.
Hi JavaIntiative, Even I tried to find out the channel to communicate to Sun for JSR(without paying), but couldn't find any. If you know the process pl let me know.Thankspsvinayram@yahoo.com
Guess you need to fill in a feature request or something like that...Sander
You can submit a feature request at http://java.sun.com/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi/Make sure to read the blurb before submitting, though.If you do, post a link here, so we can ratify/vote for your suggestion.-T
There are three possibilities:
-You want some new feature added to java, like adding enumerations. There is no money in this for you or sun.
-You have an idea for a interface like JDBC. It might make you money if you bring the first one or only one to market. You create the interface and the implementation. Then you submit a JSR and push the JSR. You also provide the reference implementation (a bare bones impementation of your product.) You might or might negotiate with Sun for them to buy it. Since you have outstripped the entire market because you implemented before submitting the JSR you should hold a commanding lead.
-You have an idea for a product, like Forte. You don't necessarily have the expertise nor the resources to create this yourself. You do what every other entrepeneur does - you create a business plan and start knocking on doors. If Sun doesn't buy it then maybe someone else will. If your idea is truly original then your business plan and records will be sufficient to protect your idea from theft. Given the number of people in the world a truly unique idea is rare. Even rarer is an idea that is marketable and feasible, but if you do the background research for the business plan, it will demonstrate that.
I have presented many ideas to Mr. Mcnealy/Sun, Dell, Compaq, and Microsoft, but they are not willing to help anyone succeed.Best to build the idea yourself and if it is truly good, they will come knocking at your door.
ustx at 2007-6-29 18:03:54 >
Sorry, no answer for you. But very intrigued by your proposition. Curious, very curious. If you are ever willing to share the idea, or bits/pieces of it, please do. As an independent software/web developer, I'd like nothing more than to see someone (or some company -- even Sun) get a leg up on Microsoft. Especially if it leverages Java.
Much success to ya.
NiallB at 2007-6-29 18:03:54 >
>I have presented many ideas to Mr. Mcnealy/Sun, Dell,
>Compaq, and Microsoft, but they are not willing to help
>anyone succeed.
Could be. But that doesn't explain why those same individuals/companies do buy other products and/or companies. Since they do it suggests that at least some times they are willing to spend money.
Yes, they buy products and/or other companies, but not ideas. Products and/or companies, a lot of hard work and money went into their creation.Build, patent, trademark, and advertise your idea, then maybe.
ustx at 2007-6-29 18:03:54 >
- Ideas are like.. opinions.. everybody has them.
- A fool and his ideas are quick to part.
- An idea by itself is worth what you paid to conceive it.
- Ad nauseam.
It's not the late 90's any longer. No one will fund an idea. If you're just a programmer in a garage, your best bet is to flesh out your idea and start writing software. There are plenty of avenues you may take to grow your one-man-show from there.
>Yes, they buy products and/or other companies, but not
>ideas. Products and/or companies, a lot of hard work and
>money went into their creation.
I can't speak to the culture today. But I do know that at least Sun, a year and half ago, was willing to commit resources to an idea that they thought was doable. And people at Sun continue to work on JSRs even though a lot of those don't look like they will have any measurable monetary benifit.
> If your idea is truly original then your business
> plan and records will be sufficient to protect your idea from theft.
I kind of doubt this. If it were true, there would be no need for patents. Business plans and records are easy to fake once an idea is stolen.
What it comes down to is how much money do you have? If you have enough, quit your day job and take two or three years to build it. Then market it and sell it. If the idea has value, maybe it will take off before competitors move in. Maybe you will just make a living. Maybe you will fail. But it will be an incredible learning experience that will dwarf any formal training you've had, and you'll never wonder might have happened if you had given it a shot.
If your idea does take off, there will be copycats, and you'd better have a patent by then as well as money to fight an infringement suit (about $1M, these days, but there is insurance available). A patent without a war chest is useless, and a good idea without a patent is as good as gone, esp. because Microsoft *will* patent it (they can do this if you have not published your idea/process in sufficient detail).
Let me tell you from first hand experience, you had better be very committed to your idea and ready to make sacrifices.
If Sun works on ideas that have no monetary value, then no wonder they've had to lay off some of their good people lately.
You could also try raising venture capital. _High St@kes, No Prisoners_ is a good description of what this is like. You need heavy talent guns to pull this off. You have to be one yourself, know the right people, etc. It's *even harder*.
One suggestion is, turn the idea over to the open source community.
No, you may not get tons of money for it, but in return is a large development base that can help you implement your idea.
As a strong open source supporter, there is one site that I suggest you to check out:
http://sourceforge.net/
This site hosts many open source projects. Many of them are more successful than you can imagine.
goask at 2007-6-29 18:03:54 >
Is this a case of "I know something you don't know"?I want to know! We have the right to know! Sorry, got a bit carried away there..
Writing open source is a noble and altruistic calling. However, I'm still trying to understand how I could use it to pay my rent.
> Is this a case of "I know something you don't know"?
> I want to know! We have the right to know! Sorry, got
> a bit carried away there..
The objective of the institution of letters patent (limited private monopolies on ideas) is to make inventive knowledge public. If it were not for patents, many inventions would remain trade secrets and you would never hear about how they worked. WIth the current system, new inventions are made available to the public within a few years (you can now search and download them on http://www.uspto.gov) and anyone can read and learn from them. Inventors have the incentive of a private monopoly on their idea to disclose it to the public in this way. Within twenty years of their filing, patented inventions drift completely into the public domain and anyone can make or use them. The idea is that, by making private inventions public in this way, technological innovation in general is accelerated.
I am a member of the JCP and can submit on your behalf. Doctor JavaJava Developers Journal
