Jonathan wound up at Sun through an acquisition of Lighthouse Design http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lighthouse_Design. The software from Lighthouse Design turned into a dead end (Java won out over OpenStep). Based on that experience, he has this quote:

"And the most effective mechanism I’ve seen for driving that commitment begins with a simple, but emotionally difficult step.

"Upon change in control, every employee needs to emotionally resign from Sun. Go home, light a candle, and let go of the expectations and assumptions that defined Sun as a workplace. Honor and remember them, but let them go.

"For those that ultimately won’t become a part of Oracle, this will be the first step in a new adventure."

Poignant and disturbing.

A very sad day for Sun. A very sad day for the tech world.

I absolutely agree that is a very sad event in the history of tech world as Sun was instrumental in contributing to the high-tech industry. A highly successful company was brought down to it's knees due to lack of leadership, strategy and direction. The management team is accountable for it's sad demise!

Finally, it's easy for Jonathan to say to his employees to go home and light a candle because even if he is going to be out of work he is gaining $17+ million from this acquisition. One word - Irony!!!

I wish all the best to all the ex-sun employees!

I bet they have plenty of time now that they are unemployed.