I'm not dead yet! I'm getting better...

So, I complained to the Oracle folks about what was posted on their website concerning JavaOne.

I heard back from not one but two different folks from Oracle (one from my complaint, one from my blog posting - hey, someone actually reads this!), reassuring me that this was not the case. Because of space limitations at Moscone Center, they had to move the exhibits elsewhere. They have received permission to close off Mason Street, and they’re going to have a big OTN tent. No word on the number of exhibitors, but one of the people thought I was asking for booth space, and quoted me a rate, so there will be more than what was in that PDF I saw.

They also said that there will be something like 700 sessions at JavaOne, and that this is an increase from last year - so the important content will have actually increased. That’s good to hear, as it was not immediately obvious from the website that that’s what was going on.

I bit the bullet and decided to register this year. Better sooner rather than later, since because they are combining this with Oracle open world, hotel space nearby will be at a premium.

Of course, with the loss of James Gosling, no T-shirt toss this year. Sniff...

It's not dead... just lightly stunned

So, Oracle finally confirmed my fears - they gutted JavaOne.

Oh, it's still being held, but a look at the floor plan shows that it's a pale shadow of its former self... at past JavaOnes, there were literally hundreds of exhibitor booths on the exhibition floor of Moscone center. Apparently, JavaOne no longer ranks high enough to have Moscone - instead, a whopping total of 34 booths are available at the Hilton Hotel ballroom.

This is a sick, twisted joke. Promises that JavaOne would be "exactly the same" are obviously not true. They haven't posted the conference schedule yet, so we have no idea how many sessions will be available - that is, of course, why we all go (not really, the real answer is swag), but indications on their site are that the sessions will be scattered throughout many hotels, as Oracle open world is obviously far higher up on their priority list.

Of course, they didn't bother to lower the price, and there is no alumni discount available.

What a shame, I've been going to JavaOne since the mid-90s, and it was a really fun place to go to. I think that's all gone now. My belief is that a number of technical sessions will be a third quarter of what they used to have. I'd like to be proven wrong - but so far, I've been right with what Oracle has done.

So, they increased the price (no discounts), reduced the content, and they think folks will shell out the big bucks for this? Assholes...