[wellylug] Sun Launches Java Desktop System Release 2

[Rob Giltrap]

Following on the heals of RedHat, Sun has just annouced availability of 
the Release 2 of the Java Desktop System.

New Features include:

End User Tools:
    * Java System Update Services - Automated delivery and installation 
of software updates and patching to ensure systems are secure and 
up-to-date.
    * Expanded language support to Brazilian Portuguese (User Interface 
only), Japanese and Korean
    * GNOME Input Method Language Engine (GIMLET) to change the 
character set on the key board, to change for example, from English to 
Japanese.

System Management Tools:
    * Java Desktop System Configuration Manager, Release 1 - Define 
groups of users and the policies for access rights and settings.
    * Sun Control Station 2.1 - Remotely deploy and manage desktop 
applications over a distributed computing environment enabling volume 
software push, patching, updating multiple desktops.
    * Remote Desktop Takeover - Remote administration including viewing 
and interacting with users desktop display to help, guide and troubleshoot.

Sun had to do heaps of work on sorting out GConf to provide the desktop 
admin control features (which they have put back into the main source 
code pool) and that is an important step in making the Gnome desktop 
infintiely more deployable in large corporations. Sun are also in the 
process of providing a whole series of web based training courses for 
deployment and administration of the Java DS 
http://training.sun.com/US/catalog/desktop/index.html

All up this is another really solid step forward for the open source 
desktop market.