Sun shifts software game plan

As expected , Sun Microsystems on Wednesday acquired NetBeans, a cross-platform Java Integrated Development Environment that Sun believes will appeal to developers doing small Java applications, especially on Linux. Sun declined to disclose the terms of the NetBeans acquisition, saying it is not material. NetBeans is a Prague-based development firm. NetBeans' chairman of the board is Esther Dyson, whose EDventure Holdings invests in emerging technology in Central and Eastern Europe. Full story. -- Deborah Gage, Sm@rt Reseller