Sun Microsystems Announces Availability of StarOffice Source Code on OpenOffice.org

Sun works with CollabNet to Deliver Largest Donation of Source Code to Open Source Community

PALO ALTO, CA -- October 16, 2000 -- Sun Microsystems, Inc. (NASDAQ: SUNW) today announced the availability of the StarOffice source code on OpenOffice.org, the site that will host the StarOffice source code. In an attempt to drive standardization for technologies for office productivity suites, Sun also released the XML file formats and StarOffice API specifications.

Developers worldwide now have the freedom to use StarOffice technology to best suit their needs--whether to improve their own products, to build new value-added products on top of StarOffice, to improve existing technology in StarOffice software, or to contribute new components for StarOffice to the open source community. This move opens up the office productivity market to unlimited possibilities for innovation.

"As we promised last July, Sun is delivering StarOffice software to the open source community on time," said Marco Boerries, vice president and general manager, Webtop and Application Software, Sun Microsystems. "With over 9 million lines of code in StarOffice software, this is the single largest source code contribution to date to the open source community. We are also pleased to be working with CollabNet, who helped us deliver the source code as quickly as possible, and who provided the consulting, training, and open source strategic advice we needed to make this project successful with the development community."

"We are pleased to be providing the collaborative development platform for the StarOffice source code on OpenOffice.org," said Brian Behlendorf, co-founder and CTO of CollabNet. "Today's announcement cements Sun's commitment to the open-source community and shows they are committed to not only publishing source code but to engaging the community in the development process."

OpenOffice.org is managed by CollabNet and serves as the coordination point for the source code, the definition of XML-based file formats, and the definition of language-independent office application programming interfaces (APIs.) In addition, CollabNet is providing its SourceCast platform for developers around the world to easily collaborate on the StarOffice source code. OpenOffice.org establishes the necessary facilities to make all of the StarOffice source code available under dual licensing - the GNU General Public License architecture (GPL) and the Sun Industry Standard Source License (SISSL).

XML replaces a proprietary binary format as StarOffice software's file format and becomes the suite's new native file format. Sun is positioning XML, with its extremely high standards profile, as the next standard for exchange of office documents. With the release of the XML specifications and file formats, it is now possible for developers to focus their energies on a single set of interoperable formats for office productivity suites. Sun will work with the community to create an XML standard for office documents from this base.

StarOffice software is a leading, full-featured productivity suite for all major platforms, including Solaris Operating Environment, Windows, Linux, and, during the first half of next year, the Macintosh. StarOffice 6 software, the next version currently in development, will serve as the source code base for OpenOffice.org. StarOffice 6 software will feature a modularized design, breaking down StarOffice software into re-useable components and discrete applications. Future versions of StarOffice software, beginning with StarOffice 6, are expected to be built using the OpenOffice.org build source code, APIs, file formats, and reference implementation.

"We will continue to drive the development of StarOffice, and aggressively market it. Any enhancements that Sun develops on its own will be will be also be placed into OpenOffice.org," said Boerries.

About OpenOffice.org

OpenOffice.org will host StarOffice source code. OpenOffice.Org will also specify XML file formats for documents; specify language-independent APIs; and provide Microsoft Office file filters, so developers can more easily modify existing programs and customize specific applications to fit their needs. OpenOffice.org will be governed by the OpenOffice.org Foundation, which initially will be modeled on the Apache Software Foundation. OpenOffice.org Foundation's board will consist of members from the open source community, the OpenOffice.org community, and commercial vendors, with Sun Microsystems as an equal member.

About StarOffice software

StarOffice software offers a feature-rich single desktop environment, with tools such as word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, drawings, web-publishing, email, scheduling, and database applications that offer businesses and individuals an alternative to proprietary office suites. For more information regarding OpenOffice.org and the StarOffice source code, visit http://www.openoffice.org and http://www.sun.com/staroffice/openoffice/.

About CollabNet

CollabNet provides companies with tools and services for collaborative software development by combining open source community expertise with business excellence. CollabNet's offerings include: a developer marketplace, a collaborative development platform with lifecycle management capabilities, and consulting services to facilitate software development across a worldwide community. CollabNet is currently working with customers ranging from Application Service Providers (ASPs) to Internet firms, hardware and software providers to companies from industries such as marketing and publishing. Brian Behlendorf, co-founder of the Apache Software Foundation, founded CollabNet in July 1999. For more information, see www.collab.net.

About Sun Microsystems, Inc.

Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision - The Network Is The Computer -- has propelled Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNW), to its position as a leading provider of industrial-strength hardware, software and services that power the Internet and allow companies worldwide to dot-com their businesses. With $15.7 billion in annual revenues, Sun can be found in more than 170 countries and on the World Wide Web at http://sun.com.

Sun, Sun Microsystems, the Sun Logo, StarOffice, Solaris, and the Network Is The Computer are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries.

CollabNet is a trademark and SourceCast is a servicemark of CollabNet, Inc. Any other product brand names used are the property of their respective owners.