The message was simple:
Today’s my last day at Sun. I’ll miss it. Seems only fitting to end on a #haiku. Financial crisis/Stalled too many customers/CEO no more
Please post your thoughts on Jonathan’s leaving. Its a mixed emotion… on one hand he set some great goals and put a fire under things. A lot of us believed in him. And yet, he failed to execute and ultimately was responsible for Sun’s demise. Could someone else have done a better job and still kept the culture alive? I don’t know honestly.
I’ll continue to stay neutral on the subject and reserve judgment until the behind-the-scenes stories trickle out over the next months and years. Jonathan screwed up, yes, but I think that Jonathan also got screwed himself, more than we realize. Time will tell.
In other news, Oracle is finally doing what has needed to be done for years: Oracle to Revamp Sun Supply Chain. One of the biggest complaints by customers for years has been inability to get timely delivery of systems. Its good to see signs of that era ending.
Also, Project Darkstar & Kenai are being axed. Project Kenai, a SourceForge like project hosting service provided free by Sun, will close its doors on April 2nd 2010. You have untill then to get stuff out. One of the most important projects there, Immutable Service Containers (ISC) has moved to OpenSolaris.org.
I do not think that the ideas were wrong but the implementations of those ideas was lacking. However all in all, OpenSolaris is now the only open source descendant of SVR4 and that is something to be grateful for as long with many other free software available from Sun/Oracle.
In the end it mostly came down to Sun maybe not listening to their clients or at least not being able to carry their wishes into achievements. Ironically, the OpenSolaris project was created to address just that and failed in the exact same way to address the needs of the community.
Let’s see what the future has to bring however…
I’m crossing my fingers that our medium sized company will still be able to purchase SUN hardware/software. We buy 1-2 servers/quarter.
We are getting the impression that the big O only wants to sell fully populated racks or a minimum license count of 1000 users for software.
Regarding the “build-to-order” model Snoracle is switching to, why do you think it is going to address the “inability to get timely delivery of systems” problem? I think it is the opposite, it will make the delivery time even longer… (You wait the server to be assembled v.s. get it delivered from the shelf in distribution center)
Save money, yes probably, better service to end user? I doubted….
I came to know and love Sun’s technology and products directly through Jonathan’s opening of Sun’s software portfolio – and whichever way you look at it he’s a heck of a good public speaker. Sounds more and more like he got a raw deal and in my personal opinion I think he did the very best with what he had.
Pretty sure that with a bit more time things would have been looking up under JIS, but I guess it was not to be.
@kevin: Its a combination of made-to-order and fixing the partner supply chain. Sun had inventory out there, but it was hard to find, often not to customer spec, and it was hit or miss if sufficient stock was even available. All this resulted in poor availability.
By taking all the business in house and doing a direct build-to-order and ship model they’ll execute on orders more efficiently, with more attention to customer needs, and quickly. Dell has used such a model for ages and it works exceedingly well. And, frankly, this is one of the reason many Sun customers have switched to Dell for servers, from both SPARC and X86 Sun boxes to Linux/X86 on Dell.
Resign by twittered haiku? Come on. Worse, the haiku blames the economy for his demise! Precious, whiny, and arrogant all in one stroke.
I think with Jonathan it was a double edged sword. He is a very intelligent guy, but lacks the charisma and business savvy that was needed at Sun. Sun was hurting when he took over, and he failed at making the calls that Sun needed in order to change their fortunes. He also didn’t inspire the employees like Scott did (I can say that by having been a former employee).
If anything they should have put him in Bill Joy’s old spot as the Tech evangelist of Sun, and brought in someone who could have led Sun and made the changes that were necessary.
In short, I already miss the Sun logo on sunsolve, but I have faith that Larry can be the guy to turn the ship around.
Sun’s technology and Sun’s engineers are too good to be responsible for Sun’s demise.
It’s Sun’s managers’ fault. And so is Jonathan’s fault too.
Jonathan is a smart guy, though: he has some 20 million? dollars to go enjoy some holidays.
I think it is Jonathan’s responsibility for failing to keep the operating costs low. Perhaps he was even too “Open”. Sun has tried to repeat history by offering “everything” for free, just as Linux has done to capture the market. I think you can offer free binary distributions, but I am not too sure on giving out free code. (I am still not sure how/why Nexenta is making money off of Sun derived products? Sun should be the sole winner of ZFS and friends.)
Jonathan should’ve also focused more on the customer rather then just PR/R&D. Sun services seemed to have sucked bad. There was also a LOT of middle management with Sun. These same managers have been at Sun for 20 years. When things aren’t working, dramatic steps needed to be taken. People from the outside need to be brought in to fill core positions. Perhaps this is even the fault of the board (which Jonathan, Scott both are in).
All of that never happened. Sun stuck to it’s same roots for a long time, trying to mimic Linux-like strategies, geared towards college students.
The sad thing is, even if this financial crisis in the market wasn’t there, I still think Sun would be lingering around. Not making “lots” of money, like it should’ve with all the R&D it spent on SPARC/Solaris etc.
“Could someone else have done a better job and still kept the culture alive?”
Yes. I am convinced that I could have done a better job. He managed to open source Solaris, which was great, but he failed to clean up Sun, which is rotten inside.
I would have stopped all development until further notice, and concetrated on fixing all existing bugs; only if a bugfix was dependent on some future project and technology, would I give it approval.
All middle management would be axed, mercilessly: crusader – no remorse style. All sr. engineers would report directly to myself.
The next thing on the hit list would be the Sun pricing committee; I would fire them, with so much pleasure and enjoyment it would be unbelievable.
Then I would proceed to tear down and redesign the hardware production business, until it could compete head to head with the likes of DELL and hp; that would be phase one.
Phase two would be dramatically slashing prices. With the now redesigned production and supply chains, I would push dirt cheap sparc and i86pc hardware. The sparc hardware would compete in pricing with the cheap DELL junk, while the i86pc harwdare would be going head to head with the likes of Supermicro, Silicon mechanics, TYAN, and ASUS. It would be a direct and merciless assault on Taiwan.
Both sparc and i86pc units would be churned out in the millions, but on demand, like DELL does it. Designs would be used & reused till cows came home; incremental improvement, Toyota style would be religion.
IPS and the team that works on it would get the ax, also with much gusto. sgi’s owner rackable would be contacted to sell or license the inst(1M) technology, and that would be the next generation software management subsystem.
I would shake the organization to the core, without mercy and with no remorse. Instead of pet projects, there would be single-minded focus on making Solaris the most stable product on the planet, THEN making it the most advanced product in his class, which is operating systems. Only when the foundation is stable and solid may one begin to build fortresses.
Java would get a swift death at my hands. So too would RBAC. Everything else would be pursued until it “JustWorked”.
Crusader: no remorse.
I never understood why the OpenSolaris project didn’t focus on making a truly integrated virtualization platform out of it. I mean they have XEN, zfs, RBAC, clustering etc.
They could have made it the absolute number one platform for this. It would be light years ahead from anybody.
I know that there is OpsCenter, but this is exactly the project that should be made available for free without support and pay for support at will.
What we have now are some hobby scripts and the spastic virt-manager thing. This is ubuntu quality at best….
Shame.
Welcome to the MBT trainers shoes website: http://www.mbttrainersshoes.com.
Mbttrainersshoes.com is a wholesale and retail supplier of MBT walking shoes .We offer 100% authentic MBT trainers shoes, include MBT Changa Shoes,MBT M.Walk, and MBT Chapa shoes and so on .
http://www.discountcoachhandbag.com is the best coach handbag outlet and you can find all your lovely coach handbags here.Coach handbags is one of the most famous brand known in fashion. They are known for their sleek and smart handbags. You are sure to find one for every occasion. The variety of coach handbags are so many that it almost becomes difficult to choose the right one. Well here is one that is certainly unique and different. This bag is made from patent leather that is light weight and looks classic. It has the signature fabric of coach which adds a luxurious touch to it much like exquisite lingerie. It is equipped with a top zip closure and has an inside zip pocket as well. The interior features a cell phone and a multi-functional pocket as well.
Our coach handbag outlet can both accept retail and wholesale. If you order more than 15(including 15)bags please contact us for a wholesale price.
links of london necklaces [[http://www.linkslife.uk.com/Necklaces/]]
http://www.mbtmall.com
http://www.jordandi.com
sports shoes
Chaussures Sport
good theme.
a perfect thing
Bergström helps you understand how Chinese youth think, live and behave. Our unique research not only looks at the moment of purchase, but the lifestyle motivators that drive preferences. Based on in-the-field reporting, rigorous analysis and rich visual narratives, our reports are fun to read, and effortless to incorporate into your strategies.
Completion of the Shijing Jiayuan community is slated for next June but work on establishing a pre-owners’ committee has already begun and the organization is expected to be in place in June.
And Nike kid shoes is the point of recruiting Palin, even at her hefty speaking fee – which Young wouldn’t disclose – to rally the faithful here. “Every time I’ve come back and done anything in North Carolina, Kobe Basketball Shoes they’ve been very supportive of me and positive,” Jordan said. Welcome to shop http://www.nikedirect.net/.
I’m just thankful she agreed to come, Nike Football Shoes and put Eugene on the map, so to speak.” Welcome to shop http://www.nikedirect.net/.
Miss Gage brought a pitcher of water and a glass. I drank three glasses and then they left me and I looked out the window a while and went back to sleep. I ate some lunch and in the afternoon Miss Van Campen, the superintendent, came up to see me. She did not like me and I did not like her. She was small and neatly suspicious and too good for her position.
http://www.airmax-online.net/ air max shoes
http://www.nike-star-shoes.net/ nike shoes
Bobcats have closed on as they build off Jordan-fueled excitement, according to team president Fred Whitfield. "Did I made the decision solely because people complained? No,Nike Airmax 93" Hollis said. But I said, `Let’s not stick our head in the sand http://www.nikedirect.net” rel=”nofollow”>Kobe Basketball Shoes.’ Welcome to shop http://www.nikedirect.net/.
Jordan shoes http://www.jordan56.com
Bergström helps you understand how Chinese youth think, live and behave. Our unique research not only looks at the moment of purchase, but the lifestyle motivators that drive preferences. Based on in-the-field reporting, rigorous analysis and rich visual narratives, our reports are fun to read, and effortless to incorporate into your strategies.
http://www.towatches.com/Discount-Watches/
mbt shoes
Cheap Evening Dresses
supras footwear http://www.nikesuprashoes.com
The first time was she went to visit her sister. After she got off the train, waiting her sister at a square, her gold links of london which was bought when she married was robbed by a man. To her angry is that instead of running away hastily, he put links of london jewellery into his mouth and walk away leisurely.
live and behave. Our unique research not only looks at the moment of purchase, but the lifestyle motivators that drive preferences
thanks you sharing
I’m sure a lot of other people will agree with me.
http://www.chiflatironghd.com
thanks you sharing
http://www.discountedhardy.com
Buy Nike Air Max 90 Shoes just $45-55 USD in http://www.iofferitems.com, 40-70% Off. Cheap Air Max 90 Shoes, Free Shipping! Buy Air Max 90 Now!
Specialists claim that http://lowest-rate-loans.com help a lot of people to live the way they want, just because they are able to feel free to buy necessary stuff. Moreover, banks give sba loan for different classes of people.
wholesale hats http://www.aj-wholesale.com
ugg boots try to win your heart.
Good job
Activists on ships raided by Israeli commandos cast doubt on Israel’s version of events that led to at least 10 deaths.
Good quality and a great price from mbt shoes online
we offer you free shipping and no tax
chi Hair Straightener is your first choice.
In your life, there will at least one time that you forget yourself for someone, asking for no result, no company, no ownership nor love. Just ask for meeting you in my most beautiful years.
It is a very nice thing to see your excellent work and I like your article very much. With your rich knowledge, we can learn more from your wonderful post. Thanks so much.
http://suprashoes365.com
that is very kind to post this for us, thank you very much. welcome to the moncler jackets online store.
This year, we bought it for you – a pair of Ugly shoes.Ugly located on the beach in Fashion, The Mall, on the road, at home. Ugly viable. Ugly many celebrities have saved millions of dollars. One might think that they want the best. Ugly Shoes in place, the unique shape of the feet. Friends, perfect, and she always felt as if it was just for you. In fact, are May Ugly shoes Classic Short more comfortable to wear than ever. The unique characteristics of the sheep that keep feet warm even the coldest weather.
backpack,luggage,laptop bag
that is very kind of you to do this for us, thank you very much, you can have a look at the nice and warm ugg boots.