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<img src="http://parcom.pro-networks.org/PROneT-News/javalogo.gif" align="right" alt="Java install on Linux is pants">Java install on Linux is pants
By Fernando Cassia
Sunday 01 October 2006, 18:18

SUN MICROSYSTEMS says it's serious about Java on Linux. But the process of installing the Java runtime leaves a lot to be desired, and here is why. First, there's so much BS and baloney thrown around about Java that I must be breaking an unwritten rule of IT journalism by saying that I like Java, a lot, and I run Java programs on several of the PCs on my home network on different operating systems.

Why? Because I enjoy having the same application no matter which OS I'm running at the moment, and the freedom it gives me. The upcoming open source releases of the technology will make this even more so. Java is good, the install experience is not. But since I've seen so many unwarranted Java-bashing tirades, let me indulge for a paragraph or two in some Java-highlighting before I go into the current problems with it. This is not only about "applets", which is the 1996 idea of Java.

This is about running full blown desktop applications as well. In case you haven't been paying attention lately, client side - desktop apps - in Java have been growing in speed and quality by leaps and bounds. For instance one of the most popular and active projects at Sourceforge, and one of my personal favourites is the ubiquitous Azureus P2P client, which helps me with the easy download of linux distros and movies -yes there is legal content offered over BitTorrent.

Check out the list of some outstanding desktop applications at the "L'INQS" section below this article. With the upcoming release of JSE 6.0 supporting features like antialiasing for smooth text and even more Gnome integration and "Vista look and feel" using native widgets on Windows- I expect that this is going to further accelerate the popularity of Java development.

<img src="http://www.pro-networks.org/forum/images/smiles/source.jpg"> The Inquirer
<img src="http://www.pro-networks.org/forum/images/smiles/view.jpg" border="0"> <a href="http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=34782" target="_blank"> complete article</a>