Kohsuke regularly does "fun projects" which normally involve some sophisticated hacking. His After JavaOne project is "just" a Lego Globe with his daughter... with the help of a Java program :-) Unlike the orb, though, this globe is passive, not connected to Hudson. FYA, while browsing around I bumped into a few nice lego projects; check out this Liebherr LG1550 Crane (the real thing), the original Battleship Yamato, the Spaceship version and more Lego@Gizmodo... or visit a Random Project at Brickshelf.

This entry is not about a GlassFish-related technology but its people; if you have a fun side-project/activity, send them my way...

We just posted a new report on AppServer adoption that we commissioned from Ohloh (recently acquired by SourceForge). The report uses the extensive code analysis done by Ohloh (38,000 projects across 3,500 source forges) to compute several metrics on how Open Source projects are targeting different AppServers.

Ohloh computed trends through their application-specific deployment descriptors and found that ~50% of the projects currently target GlassFish and that the number jumps to 73% when only counting new projects.

Check out full details at the report and also see John's writeup.

I just (re)discovered Sun's "official" photo web site, and it already has Photos for the first General Session; check out Jonathan, James and Scott on stage, Larry and Scott under the Java logo and Scott acknowledging the applause from the attendees. You can also replay all the General Session Streamcasts. More photos at Flickr. Also check Twitter and JavaOne @ Blogs.Sun.Com

A quick reminder that the JavaOne General Sessions will be streamed live. Just point your browser to the JavaOne Site; I think they use the same uStream.tv machinery we use in our webinars... except they get special service. Recordings will be available later at the same page. The first General Session is Java: Change (Y)our World and starts in a bit over an hour - I think it will be very much worth your time. I'm driving up there right now.

The GlassFish v3 Preview release is now available. This is an Early Access release of Java EE 6 - Welcome to JavaOne 2009! Check out the Download Page. Also see the page on JavaEE 6 Standards, the Docs and Resources, the GFv3 Document Set, and the SDK Release Notes, and the GFv3 Release Notes.

The release comes in two bundles, corresponding to the JavaEE 6 Web Profile and the JavaEE 6 full specification. The size of the bundle varies depending on packaging and features but ranges from 40MB to 60MBs. Remember that you can start with the "small" release (i.e. web profile) and easily add the missing pieces via the integrated update center.

I've uploaded the slides for my presentation at CommunityOne on Sun GlassFish Portfolio (S307894). I start with a recap of the project and an assessment of adoption, then do a review the GlassFish Portfolio and end with a blitz through projects with links to sessions and pods. There are many slides but several are build-ups and I hope to have time for Q&A. Slides at PDF@SLX and SlideShare; I'll create a SlideCast later.

A reminder that tomorrow, Sunday May 31st, is our GlassFish and OpenSSO Unconference and also the Party at The Thirsty Bear. The Thirsty Bear is a popular hangout during JavaOne; they have great food and drinks and it is very close to The Moscone (see Google, Live). An RSVP is appreciated to assess food needs. PS. I have not been able to post news recently because of J1/C1 preparations - plus this year's extra distraction - but this year my commitments are early in the week and I will try to catch up afterwards.

GlassFish ESB v2.1 is almost done: Release Candidate 2 is now available from the OpenESB downloads page. We expect to be able to list the GA version a few days after JavaOne.

Not clear what OpenESB is and what it can do for you? Sign up for a free webinar that will be held on June 10 at 10am PDT. Reserve a seat by registering!

If you're attending JavaOne, make sure to pay us a visit. There are several events that feature OpenESB. See our JavaOne events page.

Arun has put together a nice table with all the sessions related to the GlassFish family of products: Check it out!

Other useful links:

• C1 Main Page, Day One Schedule and Content Catalog
• C1 Sessions with GlassFish Keyword
• J1 Main Page, Schedule and Content Catalog
• J1 Sessions with GlassFish Keyword
• Register for Sunday's Unconference and Party

Portal Development (especially with WebSpace) is made even easier with the recent release of Portal Pack 3.0.1 [download]. Several new features are added, including theme development (including code completion for Velocity), directory deployment/deploy-on-save for rapid testing, Liferay service builder support, and more. for questions and tips, make sure to visit one of many of the community venues, including the mailing lists or #webspace IRC Channel, or contribute on the growing Wiki.

Also, don't miss the Portal Pack and WebSpace teams at the UnConference, and at CommunityOne and JavaOne.

On the heels of the successful 10.0 release, the WebSpace server team brings you another series of community and milestone builds for the next release, 10.1. The first in this series, WebSpace server 10.1 Community Build 1, is now available. Just like the 10.0 development effort, this series gives you a chance to exercise new features and updates that will be in the 10.1 release, leading up to the final release. You can expect a number of Community and Milestone builds to follow. for questions and tips, make sure to visit us at one of many of the community venues, including the forum or #webspace IRC Channel, or contribute on the growing Wiki (more on this later!).

Also, don't miss us at the UnConference, and at CommunityOne and JavaOne.

On the heels of the successful 10.0 release, the WebSpace server team brings you another series of community and milestone builds for the next release, 10.1. The first in this series, WebSpace server 10.1 Community Build 1, is now available. Just like the 10.0 development effort, this series gives you a chance to exercise new features and updates that will be in the 10.1 release, leading up to the final release. You can expect a number of Community and Milestone builds to follow. for questions and tips, make sure to visit us at one of many of the community venues, including the forum or #webspace IRC Channel, or contribute on the growing Wiki (more on this later!).

Also, don't miss us at the UnConference, and at CommunityOne and JavaOne.

The Servlet 3.0 Expert Group has delivered its Proposed Final Draft to the JCP and it should be available later this week. In the meantime Rajiv has provided a brief update on the Latest Set of Changes. And, if you are attending JavaOne, check out TS-3790 presented by Jan, Greg and Rajiv; also see the Full Catalog... and don't forget the Unconference and Party.

There is a new offer for students and educators; it is a great offer: • Students get in for free! • Educators have a special discount of $895, and.. • Educators get in free if they bring 10 students! I like the idea... we should have started doing it a few years ago! Check out the details, and don't forget about the Unconference and other JavaOne activities.

The registration for our CommunityOne Unconferences is now open. We are hosting two intertwined events, one for all the GlassFish projects, the other for OpenSSO, OpenDS et al. Both in Hall A at the Moscone (Wikipedia, GeoHack) the Sunday before JavaOne, May 31st. Both events are free, and you can switch back and forth as your interests apply. Check the GlassFish Unconference page and the OpenSSO Day MeetUp and Topics page.

The unconferences will be followed with a Party at the Thirsty Bear. We have plenty of space at the Moscone but the TB space is limited, so I encourage you to sign up early.