>> Так что немного не ясно, как можно, похоронив семёрку, переходить на восьмёрку,
>> если последнюю пока ещё не возможно установить.
> Новость же про Java(tm) SE, а не про эти ваши хипстерские поделки
> oopenjdk и icedtea. ]\[

Однако Вы очень категоричны в своих заявлениях ;-)

https://blogs.oracle.com/henrik/entry/java_7_questions_answers
    Q: What is the difference between the source code found in the OpenJDK repository, and the code you use to build the Oracle JDK?

    A: It is very close - our build process for Oracle JDK releases builds on OpenJDK 7 by adding just a couple of pieces, like the deployment code, which includes Oracle's implementation of the Java Plugin and Java WebStart, as well as some closed source third party components like a graphics rasterizer, some open source third party components, like Rhino, and a few bits and pieces here and there, like additional documentation or third party fonts. Moving forward, our intent is to open source all pieces of the Oracle JDK except those that we consider commercial features such as JRockit Mission Control (not yet available in Oracle JDK), and replace encumbered third party components with open source alternatives to achieve closer parity between the code bases.