IBM, Netscape, and Sun Collaborate to Speed Perfomance, Compatibility, and Deployment of Java Platform

New Java Porting and Tuning Center Established

NEW YORK - August 26, 1997 -- IBM, Netscape Communications Corporation and Sun Microsystems, Inc., today announced the Java Porting and Tuning Center, where they will work to speed Java performance and ensure timely, consistent distribution of Java(tm) implementations to the industry.

The new center, housed at Sun's JavaSoft division in Cupertino, Calif., will initially be staffed by engineers from the three companies. Its first activity will be to tune the Java Development Kit (JDK) 1.1 class libraries for higher performance. These will be delivered concurrently during the fourth quarter of 1997 for all leading operating systems, browsers and tools.

At the same time, the Java Porting and Tuning Center will begin work on the next release of the JDK, to create extremely high performance Java implementations. The companies have set a goal of delivering these implementations concurrently on all major platforms during the second quarter of 1998.

The Center expects to provide immediate access to a high-performing Java implementation on the customer's platform of choice. Developers will have a consistent high-performance universal Java deployment environment that incorporates every element of Sun's Java reference platform. End-users can be ensured that the 100% Pure Java applications they use will perform consistently across a wide range of operating systems, browsers, tools and applications.

As an added benefit to developers, IBM, Netscape and Sun also announced that developer partners of Sun and Netscape would be able to receive 100% Pure Java pre-certification testing support for no charge via IBM's Solution Studios for Java.

In a separate announcement, Netscape and Sun unveiled plans for a 100% Pure Java version of Netscape Navigator in early 1998. As part of that announcement, Sun revealed plans to include Netscape's HTML component with the JDK and to standardize on the 100% Pure Java version of Navigator expected in Q1 1998.

"The Java momentum is unstoppable, and our customers demand benefits only Java can provide -- write once, run anywhere, safe network delivery, and scalability," said Scott G. McNealy, chairman and CEO of Sun Microsystems, Inc. "The Java Porting and Tuning Center will ensure that our customers get what they want -- instantly. Instant ubiquity, instant quality, instant high performance. This is the environment they expect for their 100% Pure Java applications. The Java platform's place in the computing mainstream demands that we take this step -- for Java now and in the future."

Jim Barksdale, president and CEO of Netscape, said, "Today's announcement by IBM, Netscape and Sun is a landmark event that will further advance the Java platform and serve to ensure that enterprise developers can easily create and deploy Java applications that span platforms, operating systems and databases. Netscape was the first to offer Java support in its commercial software, and we remain committed to delivering 100% Pure Java to our customers. By working jointly with industry-leading partners, we can significantly accelerate the already tremendous momentum behind Java-based development."

John M. Thompson, IBM senior vice president and software group executive, said, "This collaboration by IBM, Sun and Netscape will speed the adoption of Java for use in the enterprise, where it is already gaining ground as a core technology for building e-business applications. IBM is pleased to contribute our technical expertise to the center and extend our support facilities to more developers."

Other companies are invited to contact Sun about working with the Java Porting and Tuning Center via http://java.sun.com/.

About IBM

IBM, the world's largest software company, creates, develops and manufactures advanced information technology products and services, including computer systems, software, networking systems, storage devices and microelectronics. IBM has been a leader in the development of the Internet since this technology began and is dedicated to helping customers and developers exploit the potential of Java. Developers and customers can find out more about IBM's Java efforts via the Web site http://www.ibm.com/java.

About Netscape

Netscape Communications Corporation is a leading provider of open software for linking people and information over enterprise networks and the Internet. The company offers a full line of clients, servers, development tools and commercial applications to create a complete platform for next-generation, live online applications. Traded on NASDAQ under the symbol "NSCP," Netscape Communications Corporation is based in Mountain View, California. Additional information on Netscape Communications Corporation is available on the Internet at http://home.netscape.com/.

About Sun

Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision, "The Network Is The ComputerTM" has propelled Sun Microsystems, Inc., (NASDAQ "SUNW") to it position as a leading provider of hardware, software and services for establishing enterprise-wide intranets and expanding the power of the Internet. With more than $8 billion in annual revenues, Sun can be found in more than 150 countries and on the Worldwide Web at http://www.sun.com/.

# # #

Additional information on Netscape Communications Corporation is available on the Internet at http://home.netscape.com/, or by sending email to moreinfo@netscape.com. Corporate customers can call 415/937-2555 while consumers can call 415/937-3777 for more information.

Netscape, Netscape Navigator, and the Netscape N logo are registered trademarks of Netscape Communications Corporation in the United States and other countries.

Other Netscape logos, product names, and service names are also trademarks of Netscape Communications Corporation, which may be registered in other countries. Other product and brand names are trademarks of their respective owners.

For more information about the 100% Pure Java Initiative, call 1-512-434-1591 or visit http://java.sun.com/100percent.

Sun, the Sun logo, Sun Microsystems, JavaSoft, Java, HotJava, JavaStation, JavaBean are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems Inc., in the United States and other countries.