Sun’s Java Desktop System (JDS), the thing that’s supposed to overthrow the Microsoft dictatorship, or at least make a dent in it, has been shipping since December now, and early next month Sun is going to move on to release 2.

JDS 3.0 is on the roadmap for fall and it’s supposed to make JDS multi-platform. Well, dual-platform. It follows X Windows and will add Solaris to Linux, according to Sun VP Curtis Sasaki.

Sun’s been making inquiries of users and says they wanted manageability so JDS 2.0 gives them the ability to tune desktop deployments by policies that apply to individuals, groups, department, or, heck, the whole enterprise. It calls the facility a management framework.

Users also wanted to be able to deploy patches from behind the firewall. Now they’ll be able to, Sasaki said.

Currently 250 companies are piloting JDS, according to Sasaki, who could not yet offer a number for the installed base - the company is reportedly counting noses - but migrations representing tens of thousands of desktops “are happening,” he claimed. Sun is working on getting reference sites it can name.

Sun also claims to have 21 OEMs, such as Microtel, installing the software and 1,500 developers recruited to work on it. Because of Java, JDS can claim to have a thousand programs.