Sun Extends Reach of Java(TM) 2 Platform, Standard Edition to Millions of Client Users Worldwide; Netscape, AOL to Provide Browser Integration

San Francisco - JavaOne Developer Conference - June 16, 1999 -- Sun Microsystems, Inc., (Nasdaq: SUNW) today announced separate initiatives with America Online and its subsidiary, Netscape, that reinforce growing support of the Java(TM) 2 Platform, Standard Edition.

Under the initiatives, announced this morning at the JavaOne Conference, both AOL and Netscape will offer Web browser support of the Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition. AOL will include support for the platform in its CD-ROMs, and Netscape is scheduled to include it in Netscape Communicator 5.0, its forthcoming Internet browser and communication software.

As a result, millions of users worldwide can view innovative Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition applications without having to download the Java 2 Runtime Environment from Sun's Web site.

The Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition is the definitive environment for developers seeking to create Web-centric software applications that run on a variety of desktops and servers. Its basis is the Java 2 platform, a complete, stable and secure platform unveiled in December and recognized as a significant milestone in the evolution of Java technology.

"As a result of our initiatives with AOL and Netscape, developers can continue to harness the full power of the Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition to create innovative business-to-business and e-commerce applications that users worldwide can utilize," said Alan Baratz, president of Software Platform and Services at Sun Microsystems, Inc. "Millions of consumers and enterprise users instantly will get full Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition functionality when they install either the Netscape Communicator 5.0 browser or AOL CD-ROMs."

"The inclusion of Java 2 technology on our CD-ROMs will let users easily run applets for the Java platform without having to download the Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition," said David Gang, AOL's senior vice president for strategic development. "This will allow our users to conveniently take full advantage of the Java 2 platform as it moves into the marketplace in a variety of applications."

"By incorporating support for Java 2 technology in our next generation of Communicator, we're helping to ensure our customers will have the most current release of the Java platform," said Bob Lisbonne, senior vice president of client products at Netscape. "Our customers will get instant access to the latest, fastest Java technologies."

Support for the Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition in Netscape Communicator is provided through the Open Java Interface (OJI), which enables users to choose the best-of-breed Java virtual machine on their platform for use within the browser. The Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition's support for OJI demonstrates the growing industry momentum behind Netscape Communicator's open architecture for distributed development.

In July, Sun will make available for download a new Java 2 Runtime Environment that is 45 percent smaller than its predecessor. The smaller Java 2 Runtime Environment will allow for easier integration and ensure full browser support of the Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition.

The AOL CD-ROMs and Netscape Communicator 5.0 are expected to include this new smaller Java 2 Runtime Environment. Sun's Java Plug-in to download the Java 2 Runtime Environment is still available for free at http://java.sun.com/products/jdk/1.2/jre.

To facilitate client-side Java technology-based deployment, Sun is offering innovative technical support for the Java 2 Runtime Environment. Existing Sun Enterprise(TM) service customers can add this support to their current contracts by contacting their Sun Enterprise Services account manager. In addition, per-incident developer support is also available via the Sun Support Access(SM) program.

For more information on the Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition, please see java.sun.com.

About Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision, "The Network Is The Computer(TM)," has propelled Sun Microsystems, Inc. to its position as a leading provider of high-quality hardware, software and services for establishing enterprise-wide intranets and expanding the power of the Internet. With more than $11 billion in annual revenues, Sun can be found in more than 150 countries and on the World Wide Web at http://sun.com.

Sun, Sun Microsystems, the Sun Logo, Java, Java HotSpot, JavaOne, Java Developer Conference and "The Network Is The Computer" are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries.

Netscape and the Netscape N logo are registered trademarks in the United States and other countries of Netscape Communications Corporation, a subsidiary of America Online, Inc. Netscape Directory for Secure E-Commerce, Netscape Directory Server, Netscape Certificate Management System, and other Netscape logos, product names and service names are also trademarks of Netscape, which may be registered in some countries.