Whining
ncm OSS world is not pleading for anything. It's just one "out of touch" person whining for publicity.
Most java users don't care about ESR's attention grabbing. Even Sun doesn't seem to care about him and the nonsense that comes out of him.
"Letters" like that are just PR to feed the "java sux" and "java sux, I can do it in perl" types.
In any case, if you don't belive in a particular technology, stop whining about it. Just go use anything else that you like. Nobody is forcing anyone to get warm&fuzzy feelings about Java. It's a tool, not a religion, it gets the job done.

iRATE
We released the long delayed 0.3. Currently work is being done on finishing the server and redoing the GUI.

Wireless
I've decided that in the future it just won't be worthile for me to get non-linux appliances.
Many of the current breeds of 802.11g routers run linux and can be customized like any linux box. These things are a really great & affordable way to learn about embedded linux and non-x86 architectures. They also make great platforms for exploring ideas and hobby projects. Linksys wr54g is easy to find and cheap. However asus wl500 is even cooler due to a host usb controller on it. It can work with a great number of usb gadgets. Hmm, wonder what use plugging in a usb mouse into a wireless router would be.
I suspect the same will hold for linux phones when they become generally available. Those of us who want to tinker with every software thing will find them to be much more exciting toys than silly proprietory alternatives with no room for creativity.