Sun Java Desktop System on OS X running Virtual PC

Well, folks, I sort of got Sun's JDS (Java Desktop System) to install under Virtual PC 7 on OS X. The install hung when I was installing the Java Media Framework API (package name: jmf-jre-2.1.1f) off of CD #2, so I chose "Abort" in the JDS installer, but then chose "Continue installation" on the next screen. The installer cranked back up and hummed along nicely for a while, then got stuck again while installing the GNOME desktop user documentation. I did the abort/continue thing again and the system installed and later booted up, though it was a little flaky -- which is understandable considering the goofy don't-try-this-at-home way I installed it.

Installing JDS in this manner isn't really a fair test of its capabilities, seeing as how it uses a virtualization engine (Virtual PC) under the covers, but it's a reasonable way to get a quick peek at a running Linux desktop system if you don't have extra Intel hardware laying around (if you do, don't waste your time messing around with Virtual PC). All I can say is that with the announcement of the Novell Linux Desktop, we now have two choices for a Linux desktop from two big tech companies, so the old complaints of "where do I get support?" for Linux on the desktop have been put to rest.

I think this Linux desktop thing might be picking up some real steam. (You may say I'm a dreamer -- but I'm not the only one .) I felt this way five and a half years ago about Linux on the backend. Stay tuned for an upcoming InfoWorld column on the subject.