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Help topicsJava Web Start 1.6 beta2 Review
IntroductionI think that Sun Microsystems would like to see Java on desktops very much. Current computational capabilities and high Internet bandwidth make it quite possible. One of the important technologies that are intended to help in the promotion of Java applications is Java Network Launching Protocol together with Java Web Start. However, the interface of Java Web Start in several versions leaves a lot to be desired, though in Java version 1.5 it was considerably improved. I downloaded and installed Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.6.0-beta2-b86) to look at the changes in the Web Start interface. Runtime installationAfter the installation of Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.6.0-beta2-b86), nothing appeared in the Start menu. Of course, Java is a runtime in the first place, but what is wrong with creating a menu that would allow users to start Web Start* and see a presentation about Java applications and games? Judging from Sun Solutions CD, Volume 2/2006, they can make impressive presentations in Sun. Sample applications and a presentation would allow the user to make sure that he has installed Java and to get some basic knowledge about the capabilities of this platform. * - Now the application is called Java Cache Viewer, but I will keep calling it Web Start to make it simple. Launching a jnlp-enabled application
We launch the jnlp-enabled application "Anywhere PE Viewer" from the page Information about the digital signature of the application
The application requires full access to the local resources of
the computer that is why a dialog box with a warning appears
after it is loaded:
Here is what this dialog box looked like in 1.5: The dialog box looks less threatening in Java 1.6 than in 1.5. There is no yellow exclamation point in it and information about the application and the publisher is clearer. It is an obvious improvement in version 1.6. Creating shortcuts in the Start menuIn the jnlp descriptor, the author can recommend that the Web Start create shortcuts for the application in the Start menu and on the desktop.
<jnlp>
<information>
<shortcut online="true">
<menu submenu="Anywhere PE Viewer"/>
</shortcut>
...
1.5 displays the following dialog box when such an application is loaded: I did not see this dialog box in 1.6. It is also rather an advantage than a drawback. Web Start (Java Cache Viewer) interface
Another pleasant surprise is that the Web Start interface became clearer:
Here is the way it looked like in 1.5: Analyzing the usability of Web StartNow I will enumerate drawbacks noticed in Web Start at first sight:
Thus, though there are constant minor drawbacks in the implementation of Web Start, I think Web Start is a good framework for delivering Java applications to desktops. And Anywhere PE Viewer is the first jnlp-enabled application from UCWare.com. Links
July 8, 2006. |