Java Developer Journal is running a press release, er, article about Sun's latest marcom that "Middleware is History". I suppose this phrase is in reaction to IBM's "Middleware is Everywhere" (witness the dueling billboards on Highway 101), but I don't think they're sending a positive message. The followups posted to this article are near universally negative.

I realize that Sun is going through some tough times and are trying to reposition themselves, but I'm afraid they're hurting Java more than helping it as they go through these various jyrations.

We need less confusion in the market about the future of Java and J2EE, not more. Redmond must just love this stuff.