Two years ago, IBM bought Gluecode Software (my employer at the time) and because Gluecode had committed to a JavaOne booth which IBM didn't want, IBM donated the paid-for booth space to the Apache Software Foundation. We (the ASF) created signage and collateral, organized volunteers to work the booth, and generally had a good time talking about the ASF, our projects and communities, and answering questions and meeting people*.

Last year we had no beneficiary to donate the booth, and Sun wasn't quite so interested in open source then, so our hope to repeat it (with a conference-provided booth) didn't happen.

This year, Sun is clearly interested in open-source Java. They've placed a chunk of their JDK under the GPLv2, created a project called OpenJDK to eventually host it, promised the rest sometime in 2007, and if that wasn't startling enough, actually created a separate track on Open Source at the conference. (Woot!)

So Sun - how about creating a section of the expo floor where open source projects can participate, modeled after the standard "free software ghetto" you see these days at LinuxWorld? It shouldn't require much - a table per project, 2-3 chairs, standard curtain/backdrop where the sign is hung. Power and network would be great too (although I realize that does make it more expensive). It will certainly be an attraction for the open and free Java communities, which tend to stay away from JavaOne, and a good introduction to the variety strength of the open and free communities for the JavaOne attendees. How about it? I promise we'll behave :)

* At that JavaOne, Graham Hamilton created a technical session for Apache Harmony, which was launched the same month as the conference. I'm sure I've thanked him before, but I just want to say thanks again. It was a really gracious and generous gesture.