Sun has admitted cocking up the introduction of Open Source into the company and that it has alienated too many developers.

Sun's chief open-source officer, Simon Phipps, said many open-source developers remain skeptical as regards Sun, because their memories of the company focus on its interactions with the community in 2001-02. Speaking with Builder AU Phipps he said that Sun alienated a large group of open-source developers by the attitudes it had of the community.

Phipps said Sun is "leading by changing behavior, rather than by just saying good words." He said the company had gone a long way toward demonstrating its commitment to open source, and has begun to heal the rift.

More here.