Press Release

Sun Microsystems Makes NetBeans(TM) IDE Available at No Cost to Every Developer, Everywhere Around the Globe

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Offers Developer Training, Ships Free CDs Worldwide MENLO PARK, Calif., Dec. 6 - Sun Microsystems Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNW), the creator and leading advocate of Java (TM) technology, today announced the NetBeans(TM) WorldTour, an initiative for distributing and sharing the NetBeans software worldwide. With 10 global developer events planned from Canada to South Africa, the NetBeans WorldTour will offer developers a chance to experience first hand the full featured, modular, extensible and award winning Integrated Developer Environment (IDE) that can accelerate Java development across all platforms. NetBeans' is a fast and full functioning IDE that supports the creation of Java Enterprise Edition, Java Mobile Edition and Java Standard Edition applications.

In addition, Sun has created the NetBeans WorldTour CD program, which provides any developer around the world who registers with the Sun Developer Network (SDN), a free NetBeans software CD with free shipping and handling. By shipping the latest NetBeans technology to all SDN registered users and by hosting a number of developer events around the world, Sun is keeping developers on the cutting edge of Java technology.

"NetBeans IDE is 100% Java and the most comprehensive development tool on the market. Only NetBeans software allows you to create enterprise, mobile and web applications with one single tool," said John Loiacono, executive vice president of Software at Sun Microsystems. "We are removing all barriers that might exist so developers can have immediate access to NetBeans software and start creating Java applications quickly, easily, and at no cost."

The NetBeans WorldTour CD currently includes the NetBeans IDE 4.1, the Sun Java System Application Server 8.1 Platform Edition, the NetBeans Mobility Pack 4.1 and the NetBeans Profiler. It is available from: http://www.netbeans.org/about/cd-form.html and will be updated as major enhancements and new releases become available.

"We started the free NetBeans WorldTour CD program because we wanted to share the excitement -- regardless of bandwidth or location -- and we are delighted at the explosive growth and success it has achieved," said Jeff Jackson, senior vice president, Java Enterprise Developer Products and Platforms Group at Sun Microsystems. "We have already shipped over 11,500 CDs to over 100 different countries."

Organized around Sun Tech Days (http://developers.sun.com/events/techdays/ ), the live NetBeans WorldTour events provide developers around the world the opportunity to hear from Sun experts and experience first-hand other innovative technologies and developments at Sun. And with the anticipation building for the release of NetBeans 5.0, the NetBeans Software WorldTour includes demonstrations of the highly-acclaimed Project Matisse GUI Builder -- a key feature of the upcoming release -- and the NetBeans Collaboration module, supporting in-context collaborative development for programmers world-wide. http://www.netbeans.org/community/articles/worldtour/index.html .

About Sun Microsystems, Inc.
A singular vision -- "The Network Is The Computer"(TM) -- guides Sun in the development of technologies that power the world's most important markets. Sun's philosophy of sharing innovation and building communities is at the forefront of the next wave of computing: the Participation Age. Sun can be found in more than 100 countries and on the Web at http://sun.com .

NOTE: Sun, Sun Microsystems, the Sun logo, Java, Solaris, NetBeans, and The Network Is The Computer are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Carrie Kasten
Sun Microsystems
+1-347-534-2093
+1-415-365-0462

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