I just read the Java Plug-In documentation. It seems HTMLConverter is
not dead at all, as it is the method for which we still use to detect
whether a user has the Java Plug-In installed or not (and directs them
to install it if they don't have it).
We as (Java) developers would tend not to notice this because we
typically already have Java 1.4 installed and as part of the install
process it sets our browsers up to use the Java Plug-In automatically
for an applet tag. This is great for in the lab development, but it's
still terrible for live deployment!
I also came across this FAQ that may be of interest to Java 3D
developers:
"Q: We are trying to use Java 3D with Java Plug-in but it doesn't work
at all. Why?
A: Java 3D comes with various packages. Installing it incorrectly may
inadvertently disable Java Plug-in or cause it to fail. Follow these
general instructions for using Java 3D and Java Plug-in Software:
1.Install Java Plug-in first.
2.Install Java 3D in a new directory. Do not install it over the
existing Java 2 SDK, Standard Edition/JRE. See this page for
installation instructions.
3.Install a version of the SDK/JRE that is appropriate for Java 3D if
one is not already installed on your computer.
4.In the Java Plug-in Control Panel, select the appropriate version
of the SDK/JRE..
The Java 3D demos should now run within Java Plug-in. "
Ack! Default install is the wrong process to use?!!!! Brilliant! {heavy
sarcasm} This should really confuse our customers.
How can we ever achieve widespread deployment if most of our users
aren't skilled enough to configure their machines to run our software?
(and we can't easily automate the install - I guess maybe it's time to
start reading about WebStart as one other person posted that it was a
beautiful solution to the install problem)
- John Wright
Starfire Research
John Wright wrote:
>
> Kyle (& Everyone),
>
> Thank you Kyle, I did some testing. IF the user has Java 1.4 installed
> then yes there is an option to use the plug in. I also checked a stock
> Win98SE install (IE 5.0) and without installing Java 1.4 this option is
> not there for IE either!
>
> So I agree "HTMLConverter is dead" but we still need a method to detect
> if Java 2 (JRE 1.4) is installed. And if not then we need to inform the
> visitor that they need to download and install Java 2 (JRE 1.4).
>
> We still have a "chicken and the egg" situation. We can use Java 1.4
> *if* all users already have it installed. If not, then we've got
> problems with our applets not running. I guess I'll have to test more
> because I tried using the "alt" parameter of the Applet tag but it did
> not display in case of a failure.
>
> - John Wright
> Starfire Research
>
> Kyle McDonald wrote:
> >
> > John Wright wrote:
> >
> > > Allessandro,
> > >
> > > Sure... HTMLConverter *would* be dead if they'd make Netscape 4.7x
> > > handle just the APPLET tag too. I've tried IE & Netscape 6 (several
> > > versions of each) as well as Mozilla & Opera. For my own personal
> > > preference Netscape 4.7x is far better than any of the other browser
> > > options. Unfortunately it still has one huge drawback (poor support of
> > > Java Plug-ins).
> > >
> >
> > Hi John,
> >
> > I use Netscape 4.76 on Solaris all the time, and in Edit-Preferences
> > on the 'Advanced' tab there is a checkbox for 'enable Java' underwhich
> > there is another for 'enable Java Plugin.' It's my understanding (and
> > I could be wrong) that this is specifically for funneling all Java
> > (including the APPLET tag) to the Java Plugin. I know all the applets
> > I see now run in the plugin (you can tell by how they load.) I
> > suppose it's possible that the applet developers wrote the right
> > HTML to do that if possible to, but I think it's just netscape
> > forcing it.
> >
> > I just checked on Win2K, and Netscape 4.79 has it there also.
> >
> > -Kyle
> >
> > --
> > _
> > -------------------------------ooO( )Ooo-------------------------------
> > Kyle J. McDonald (o o) Systems Support Engineer
> > Sun Microsystems Inc. |||||
> > Enterprise Server Products [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > 1 Network Drive BUR03-4630 \\\// voice: (781) 442-2184
> > Burlington, MA 01803 (o o) fax: (781) 442-1542
> > -------------------------------ooO(_)Ooo-------------------------------
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