SOURCE: THE SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST via First! by NewsEdge Corp.
DATE: June 27, 1998
INDEX: [10]
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THE SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST via NewsEdge Corporation : So much has been
said about Java that it probably is lost on most people. Many hear the word
Java and recollect pre-conceptions about the subject, be they positive or
negative. Most are unaware that developments are taking place.
One of the most recent events, excluding disputes between the likes of
Sun, Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard over the future of the Java environment,
is the emergence of Java-based thin clients.
Sun began it all by offering the JavaStation network computer that runs
the JavaOS system, an entirely Java-based operating system designed for NCs.
Now, Sun is working on JavaOS for DOS PCs, making allowing obsolete PCs to
become the equivalent of a JavaStation.
The JavaPC software is in beta development, with a preview available from
Sun's Java developer's Web site at http://
developer.javasoft.com
The final release is expected to sell for about US$100, and it is clear
how this product offers a way to use hardware once thought obsolete.
It is possible to take a 486-based computer with 8 MB or 16 MB of memory
that runs DOS and turn it into a full-featured network computer with a Web
browser with full network connectivity.
The JavaPC environment runs on top of DOS, which provides such basics such
as access to the hard disk and floppy disk, plus the display and basic
network drivers.
The rest, including all the more complicated network support and the Java
implementation, is provided by the JavaPC software which implements the
functionality of the JavaOS found on the JavaStation series of NCs.
Of course, to run a JavaPC system means being connected to a network since
the whole concept of the JavaPC and Java-based NCs is to access Java-based
content including Web pages and applications on servers elsewhere on the
network - either on the Internet or an intranet.
Also, since the JavaPC is designed to run on an Ethernet network and not a
dial-up modem, it is aimed at the corporate environment where can provide
applications written in Java to be used on the Java-based NCs.
In my tests, the hardest part of configuration had nothing to do with the
JavaPC software itself but rather with configuring DOS with my network card.
JavaPC can work with the NDIS or ODI drivers shipped with many network
cards, but I opted to use a free set of network card drivers known as packet
drivers which can be downloaded from the Internet and are included with the
JavaPC software.
After several attempts to get the packet drivers to work with my card, I
switched to a different card and things worked without difficulty.
Once the network card was configured, I was able to configure the rest of
the software quite easily, using an added utility that allowed me to answer
a series of questions and have my configuration files built for me.
Once done, it is possible to browse the Web immediately, using the built-
in Web browser and run some small Java programs installed on my test
network's server.
One benefit of the JavaPC over dedicated NC hardware is that it allows
organisations to continue to use existing DOS and even Windows 3.1
applications and systems.
Also, Java-based network capabilities can be added without disrupting
existing work. This lets you gradually move mission-critical applications to
a Java-based client-server environment.
However, the PCs need a minimum 486, 66 MHz PC with at least 8 MB of RAM.
A low-end to mid-range Pentium is preferable and 16 MB of RAM is better.
Of course, an entry level PC these day is quite inexpensive and would
provide more than adequate power for running a JavaPC system.
Full information about the JavaPC as well as other Sun Java products is
available at Sun's Java Web site at
http://www.javasoft.com/
Copyright(C) 1998 THE SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
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Received on Mon Jun 29 1998 - 18:33:49 BST