* Original Area: OS2
* Original From: Jim Gilliland (1:259/400)
* Original To  : All (1:259/414)

         IBM LICENSES JAVA TECHNOLOGY FROM SUN MICROSYSTEMS
                    FOR USE IN INTERNET PRODUCTS


       SOMERS, N.Y., December 6, 1995 . . . IBM today announced
  that it has licensed Sun Microsystems, Inc.'s Java** programming
  language and intends to use it to enhance the way customers view
  and interact with content on the Internet World Wide Web.
       IBM plans to implement the Java technology in products that
  exploit the Internet, such as web browsers and web servers, and
  its Lotus Notes** integrated messaging and groupware software.
  In addition, IBM intends to port the Java technology to its OS/2*
  and AIX* operating systems, as well as Microsoft's Windows** 3.1,
  and will make those ports available over the World Wide Web so
  users can begin to work with Java on these platforms.
       Java, developed by Sun, is an object-oriented programming
  language that operates independently of any operating system or
  microprocessor.  Java programs, called applets, can be
  transmitted over a network and run on multiple clients, providing
  the multimedia richness of a CD-ROM over corporate networks and
  the Internet.
       Applets provide World Wide Web users with ready access from
  their local system to additional web page content that can be
  delivered in a more visually compelling way, such as through the
  use of animation.  The user can view and interact with an applet
  -- for example, requesting that a product image rotate to provide
  a fuller view of its appearance -- and then discard it when no
  longer needed.
       By providing this type of flexible, "on demand" software
  delivery and enhanced viewing and interaction support, IBM is
  expanding its range of network-centric computing capabilities.
  Network-centric computing is IBM's strategy to provide customers
  with the ability to easily receive, use and share applications
  and services across worldwide voice networks and data networks
  such as the Internet.
       IBM expects to make its ports of Java to OS/2, AIX and
  Windows 3.1 available on the World Wide Web starting in the first
  quarter of 1996.  By licensing Java, IBM also gains access to
  JavaScript**, the new scripting language announced on Dec. 4 by
  Sun and Netscape Communications.
       "Java is a very innovative software technology that will
  help us expand the functionality of our Internet access products
  and related offerings," said Irving Wladawsky-Berger, general
  manager for IBM's Internet Division. "This licensing agreement is
  another example of our continuing efforts to help users leverage
  the power of the Internet and other network-enabled
  technologies."
       "We are pleased to add IBM as a new Java licensee," said
  Eric Schmidt, chief technology officer at Sun Microsystems. "Java
  is gaining broad acceptance as a robust, vendor-neutral
  technology that gives users a more productive way to use the
  Internet and helps programmers respond to the challenges of
  programming for the Internet."
       With annual revenues of $6 billion, Sun Microsystems, Inc.,
  provides solutions that enable customers to build and maintain
  open network computing environments.  Widely recognized as a
  proponent of open standards, the company is involved in the
  design, manufacture and sale of products, technologies and
  services for commercial and technical computing.  Founded in
  1982, Sun is headquartered in Mountain View, Calif., and employs
  more than 14,000 people worldwide.
       IBM, the world's largest software provider, creates,
  develops and manufactures advanced information technologies,
  including software, computing systems, storage devices and
  microelectronics.
       For Internet users, IBM offers complete information about
  the company, its products, services and technologies on the World
  Wide Web.  The IBM home page is at http://www.ibm.com.  The
  fastest, easiest way to get information about IBM software is to
  go to the IBM Software home page at http://www.software.ibm.com.

                               #  #  #

  *    Indicates trademark or registered trademark of International
       Business Machines Corporation.

  **   Lotus Notes is a trademark of Lotus Development Corporation.
       Java and JavaScript are trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc.
       Windows is a trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.



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