I'd wait and listen to what they have as arguments for sponsoring the JUG and the JP event. What's their definition of sponsorship? What do they expect in return? I think it is important to make a difference indeed between the BeJUG and the JP event. Having Microsoft sponsoring the BeJUG is a bit hard to comprehend, since they've totally lacked the philosophy that surrounds the Java community.

I can see indeed a number of reasons why they would like to sponsor THE biggest Java event in Europe though but I wonder if any of them is bringing any added value to the event and it's visitors. Come to think of it, what are the criteria anyway to be able to sponsor JP? I would personally expect companies that sponsor and/or contribute to JP to have a substantial amount of business related to Java/J2EE technology. Do we really need Microsoft to come and tell J2EE techies how to interoperate with their platform? If they stick to the specs that ought to do the job, but again, that's a personal opinion.

I'd ask them to send in a paper with a proposal regarding a technical topic and evaluate from there whether it truly has added value for the event and its visitors. If JP just accepted the bag of money (because basically that's still what sponsorship is about and my guess is that they are not talking about a little tea-bag) in exchange for a speaker slot or whatever other visibility during the event, I don't think the means truly justify the cause.

Maybe Microsoft has come to terms regarding their attitude towards J2EE after the case with Sun, but I would advance with caution... a fox may lose his fur but...

Anyway... a few remarks to take into account and that you can ponder about:

• are there any other cases known of JUG's or Java events partnering with Microsoft and how did that work out?
• how would they act if a pure-bred J2EE company proposed to sponsor/contribute to the Microsoft DevDays?

All in all, it's one weird nut to crack but I would like to see good arguments should JP decide to go on with this.

Regards,

Serge
ACA

I am really surprised that Microsoft wants to sponsor BeJUG or Javapolis.
I have a mixed feeling about this.
On one hand, Microsoft is the biggest software company and cannot be ignored.
On the other hand, because of the history between Sun and Microsoft not endorsing Java 2, most of Java developers are allergic to Microsoft.

Let's have a look around, all companies do have partnerships with Microsoft (even Sun). I do not see a reason why BeJUG should not accept Microsoft sponsorship for Javapolis. I well remember the Microsoft ad in the VNU JavaNews paper. Microsoft is there, we cannot avoid it.
My opinion is that we should not be afraid of Microsoft. I trust the BeJUG members and I am convinced that a large majority of them will not move from Java to C# soon simply because there is no reason to do so!!

I really like the idea that Microsoft could pay for helping the BeJUG promoting an even stronger Java community.
What do you think?

Robin Mulkers
BeJug steering member

Just to inform you that Microsoft has agreed our sponsoring conditions (see previous blog) and will become a JavaPolis 2004 sponsor.

Cheers,
Stephan

Intersting - very interesting. Well, if they want to show up and hand out free demos of Visual Studio.net, let them! I'm a little curious....

They probably will.
But remember, it doesn't run on your Mac or Linux, nor does it compile your .java files

A Sun-Microsoft truce – the two have sparred in the past over the Liberty Alliance's federated identity specifications – would be a step forward for the development community and for the advancement of Web services, said ZapThink LLC analyst Ronald Schmelzer.

"It's great to see them submit the same specification, to the same standards body and agree upon everything. It's impressive," Schmelzer said. "We'll see how long it lasts. It's good news."

Check the original article Web services messaging spec submitted to W3C