Here is my contribution to HEP software discussion in another blog:

Hi,
just a note concerning monopolistic position of Root and invisibility of other (often Java-based) projects. There was a long (and heated) discussion about it on the Root WikiPage in June 2006. Here is my view (with links to other contributions):
http://hrivnac.free.fr/wordpress/?p=5

In short: After the disaster of LHC++ project in CERN, CERN IT didn’t want to take any risk and outsourced all software development to Root team. Since that time, all non-Root development is effectively forbidden in CERN. There are alternative projects, but it is very difficult to get them through due to CERN boycot.

Here are just two alternative project examples (besides JAS):
http://projects.hepforge.org/jhepwork (Java)
http://openscientist.lal.in2p3.fr (C++)

Julius

The whole thread is here.