What is Java?

Java, which is a fully fledged programming language used to program applications and applets Applets are small applications which get downloaded along with a web page, for example games, interactive maps, currency converters. The downside of these applets is that they can take a quite a while to download and can be used in harmful ways.

In order to run any Java application, you must have the free Sun Java plug in installed on your computer. If you are using a Windows operating system, you might already have the Microsoft Virtual Machine, which will only work with the Microsoft Internet Explorer and is no longer being updated, and so is becoming redundant.

Java should not be confused with Javascript, which is a scripting language used alongside the hypertext markup language (HTML) coding which makes up the web page itself to enhance it and add extra features which are not possible using normal HTML.

Examples of pages that incorporates Java applets are:

• most of the games on Kidsweb, including Frozen Bubbles (notice that as the game is loading, a progress bar is used to indicate the progress of the download)

Examples of pages created using Javascript and HTML are:

• the navigation bar used on this page, which changes depending on which tab your mouse pointer is on;
• the Matching Pairs, Hangman and Tic Tac Toe games on Kidsweb.

How can I check my current Java settings?

Before trying to download the Java plug-in, check your settings as it might already be installed on your PC but disabled. If the Java plug-in is not on your PC, you will need to install it.

Microsoft Internet Explorer

1. Launch the Internet Explorer;
2. Click on Tools on the menu bar;
3. Click on Internet Options;
4. Click on the Advanced tab;
5. Scroll down until you see the HTTP 1.1 Settings heading.
   Which of the following pictures (A, B, C or D) matches what you can see on your screen?
   Follow the instructions for the image that matches your settings.
   • A - If the Multimedia heading appears after the HTTP 1.1 settings, you will need to download the Java plug-in: click the Download button and follow the instructions on the screen.
   • B - Only the Microsoft VM heading appears between the HTTP 1.1 settings and the Multimedia heading:
     1. ensure that all three boxes below the Microsoft VM heading are unticked, as they are in the picture;
     2. Click on the Apply button;
     3. Click on the OK button;
     4. Close the Internet Explorer;
     5. Restart your computer;
     6. download the Java plug-in: click the Download button and follow the instructions on the screen.
   • C - Only the Java (Sun) heading appears between the HTTP 1.1 settings and the Multimedia heading:
     1. ensure that the box below the Java (Sun) heading is ticked, like it is in the picture;
     2. Click on the Apply button;
     3. Click on the OK button;
     4. Close the Internet Explorer;
     5. Restart your computer.
   • D - Both the Java (Sun) heading and the Microsoft VM heading appear between the HTTP 1.1 settings and the Multimedia heading:
     1. ensure that all three boxes below the Microsoft VM heading are unticked, as they are in the picture;
     2. ensure that the box below the Java (Sun) heading is ticked, as in the picture;
     3. Click on the Apply button;
        Click on the OK button;
     4. Close the Internet Explorer;
     5. Restart your computer.

Mozilla Firefox 1.0

1. Launch Mozilla Firefox;
2. Click on Tools on the menu bar;
3. Click on Options;
4. Click on Web Features;
5. Make sure that the Enable Java option in the main panel is selected;
6. Click on the OK button.

Mozilla Firefox 1.5

1. Launch Mozilla Firefox;
2. Click on Tools on the menu bar;
3. Click on Options;
4. Click on Content;
5. Make sure that the Enable Java option in the main panel is selected;
6. Click on the OK button.

Netscape 6 & 7

1. Launch Netscape;
2. Click on Edit on the menu bar;
3. Click on Preferences...;
4. Click on Advanced;
5. Make sure that the Enable Java option in the main panel is selected;
6. Click on the OK button.

Netscape 8

1. Launch Netscape;
2. Click on Tools on the menu bar;
3. Click on Options...;
4. Click on Site Controls ;
5. Make sure that the Enable Java option in the Web Features panel is selected;
6. Click on the OK button.

Opera 6 & 7

1. Launch Opera;
2. Click on File on the menu bar;
3. Point to Quick Preferences;
4. Make sure that the Enable Java option is selected.

Opera 8

1. Launch Opera;
2. Click on Tools on the menu bar;
3. Point to Quick Preferences;
4. Make sure that the Enable Java option is selected.

How can I download the SunJava plug-in?

You should check your current Java settings before downloading anything, as your PC might already have a java plug-in installed on it.

If your PC does not have the java plug in, you can download it from the SunJava website:

1. go to the SunJava website;
2. click on the Download button;
3. follow the instructions on the screen;
4. when finished, close your web browser;
5. restart your PC.