The Java Community Process has long advocated openness in the Java standards process. A crucial piece of openness, however, was missing from the JCP's infrastructure until this week: A Web site that allows anyone interested in Java standards to get a quick overview of the status of Java Specification Requests (JSRs), and to follow the activities of JSR expert groups.

To remedy that lack, the JCP launched a new collaborative site this week at http://www.jcp.org. While the site provides much more information to the casual visitor than the JCP's old Web site did, many collaborative features are available only to JCP members.

For all visitors, the new site makes it easy to create a JSR watch list: upon subsequent logins, the system's customized home page focuses on updates to the watched JSRs. You do need to create a free JCP.org user account for this to work. There is also a discussion forum open to all visitors, as well as a calendar summarizing all JCP-related events and deadlines.

To access more features, one must join the JCP. Individual JCP membership is free, and such membership allows one to participate in expert groups, either as an active member or as an observer. The new site makes it only slightly easier to join the JCP: You still need to download a PDF file and fill out a participation agreement. And you need to send the form in via fax or snail mail.

To explain how the new site can benefit developers interested in Java standards, the JCP is holding a virtual town hall meeting at 8:00 Pacific Time on Thursday. Those interested in attending can access the town hall by following the instructions on participating.

What do you think of the JCP's efforts to bring openness to the Java standards process?