[G4] [OT] wrong Java version running???

[Alex]

On Jul 1, 2005, at 16:10, Jay Snoke wrote:

> I am trying to take some on-line training that requires Java version 
> 1.4.2 (verified with a tech-assist phone call) and appears to be 
> written for Windows systems.  Each and ever time I access the server 
> with any browser I have (Safari, firefox, IE, Netscape), a java 
> console pops up in the background with the following data on it:
>
> Java(TM) Plug-in: Version 1.3.1
>
> [...]
>
> I had already ran the command line entry:
>  java -version
> and it returned the following:
> $ java -version
> java version "1.4.2_05"

This is an issue I don't understand.

On one hand, Safari does not require or use the Java plug-in. Indeed, 
Apple's Java FAQ[1] clearly states that Safari supports Java applets 
under v1.4.x only. My understanding is that the v1.3.1 plug-in provides 
support for older browsers.

OTOH, if I check the configuration with an external tool such 
BrowserHawk[2], the Java plug-in version is reported as 1.3.1. Why? No 
clue. There's an issue somewhere, and it may not be with the Java 
applet code, but with how Safari reports the Java version. The 
/Library/Internet Plug-Ins configuration suggests that only Cocoa apps 
can use the v1.4.x plug-in, but that doesn't explain why the applet 
doesn't run in Safari. Disabling it from the Java 1.3.1 Plugin Settings 
doesn't seem to have any effect.

I hope someone else can explain how this works, and how it can be 
fixed. Failing that, here's what I'd try. First, see if the same 
problem occurs with OmniWeb[3]. Second, see if adding the latest 
version of the Java Embedding Plugin might not make it work with 
browsers other than Safari[4]. Third, see if the applet in question can 
be run from Applet Launcher[5], or saved as a jar file and run from 
Finder, or perhaps even from Web Start[5].

[1] Java FAQ
<http://developer.apple.com/java/faq/>

[2] BrowserHawk
<http://www.cyscape.com/showbrow.asp>

[3] OmniWeb
<http://www.omnigroup.com/applications/omniweb/>

[4] "Add the Latest Java Support to Mozilla Browsers"
<http://www.macworld.com/2005/05/secrets/juneosxhints/>

[5] /Applications/Utilities/Java/

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