SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- January 13, 2004 -- Sun Microsystems, Inc. (NASDAQ:SUNW), the creator and leading advocate of Java technology, today announced the next generation of its on-line developer workspace, Sun[sm] Developer Network (sun.com/developers). The enhanced program and integrated Web site features sophisticated network computing, Web services and Java technology-based tools, to help enable individual software developers to build and deploy applications and services across multiple technologies, standards and operating environments.

The first phase of the Sun Developer Network Program, announced in June 2003, immediately garnered tremendous interest from Java technology advocates and Solaris developers worldwide. Usage metrics offer a convincing indicator of the Sun Developer Network program's success to date with developer visitors from more than 190 different countries and over 630,000 subscriptions to Sun's developer-specific newsletters; 62 per cent growth in Sun's Chinese developer base since June 2003 (http://gceclub.sun.com.cn); and over 150,000 new developer registrants since June 2003.

"The redesign of the Sun Developer Network Web site and the integration of its developer programs indicates that Sun is highly committed to providing developers with the tools they need," said Marilyn Carr, Research Director, Global Software Partnering and Alliances, IDC. "Easy access to resources and information is an important step on the path to technical knowledge and proficiency."

Three previously separate programs - Java Developer Connection[sm], Solaris Developer Connection [sm] and Java[sm] Wireless Developer Connection - and 13 different Web sites have been combined into a single Web location to simplify the developer experience and provide developers with one membership: Sun Developer Network. The comprehensive program and Web site, supporting a community of over 3 million Java technology-based developers and growing, is a resource for technical professionals - including developers, architects, testers and administrators. The Sun Developer Network Program and Web site are key elements in Sun's drive to enhance the individual developer experience by bringing these offerings together with its portfolio of products such as the new Sun Java Studio Enterprise and the forthcoming Sun Java Studio Creator.

The Sun Developer Network program and Web site now include:

• Improved navigation and search capabilities.
  
  
• New forum features such as forum watches, a rapid response communication program aimed to improve access to information and response time on Sun technology development questions. (http://developers.sun.com/forums/index.html)
  
  
• On-line user groups and webinars to give developers from as far away as China and India access to events tailored to their own geography. (http://developers.sun.com/usergroups/index.html)
  
  
• Over 45 syndicated headline and news content feeds to individuals and partners.
  
  
• New and enhanced on-line learning tools including product-specific tutorials, access to Sun Microsystems Inc. Press books, and the JavaOne[sm] On-line program, providing the full conference proceedings from JavaOne, the industry's largest Java conference with a recently launched version in China localized for China (http://java.sun.com/javaone/online).
  
  
• Integration of content from java.sun.com, java.com, java.net through a new navigation structure and search mechanism, allowing developers to continue to access all the content that pertains to solutions and services enabled by Java technology and Sun products and technologies.

"Developers are important to Sun and together we share a commitment to innovation that enables us to offer developers choices that are open standards-based," said Mike Bellissimo, senior director, Software Developer Outreach, Sun Microsystems. "At Sun, we want to drive a strategic relationship with the individual developer that allows Java technology to evolve, and help create markets and standards rather than lock developers into proprietary platforms. Through the expanded program offerings and consolidated Web site, Sun Developer Network also helps developers bring products to market more quickly, and improve their overall productivity and user experience."

To join the Sun Developer Network program and subscribe to services, participate in forums and receive the most up-to-date developer information on Java, Solaris, and Sun's software technologies, visit sun.com/developers.

java.net Momentum

More than 32,000 developers worldwide have joined the java.net collaborative community, and are engaged in over 645 projects ranging from Java technology-based games development to desktop technologies to enterprise development such as Java Web Services. java.net 2.0 is expected to launch in February 2004 and will include the following new features:

• Enhanced Project Management - The current tool set will be enhanced to provide robust project management capabilities and simplified administration for project owners. Tools such as project tracker plan to allow individuals to manage development and provide more tracking capabilities and additional levels of detail.
  
  
• Community Directory - The existing directory will be enhanced to make it easier to find projects across the Java technology ecosystem.
  
  
• Upgraded Infrastructure - Infrastructure enhancements such as email filtering plan to be part of this release.

Developers can also prepare for exciting new Java technologies at the upcoming JavaOne 2004 Conference, the world's largest Java developer gathering, scheduled for the week of June 28, 2004. Registration information is available at java.sun.com/javaone.

About Sun Microsystems, Inc.

Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision -- "The Network Is The Computer" -- has propelled Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNW) to its position as a leading provider of industrial-strength hardware, software and services that make the Net work. Sun can be found in more than 100 countries and on the World Wide Web at http://sun.com

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