Use Java 1.4.2 in Firefox and other Mozilla browsers

As far as I knew, it was impossible to get Firefox to use the latest Java VM installed in Panther (1.4.2) -- it always defaulted to Java 1.3.1. But happily, it turns out that I was wrong. Yesterday I stumbled across a set of plugins that make that happen.

Get the plugins from the Java Plug-In site [6.6MB direct download link], and just drag the two of them (they're in the binaries folder) into your ~/Library -> Internet-Plugins folder. The readme mentions something about other plugins that must also be installed, and one that must be touched, but for Panther this is not necessary (at least I didn't do any of that).

Now I can work with applets that require the latest greatest Java VM in Firefox. According to the ReadMe, this plugin also works with Mozilla and Camino, but I didn't try them.

[robg adds: I thought we had this key site documented here somewhere, but I couldn't find it in a quick search. If you use a Mozilla-family browser, this site is key to being able to view sites that use features in the latest Java releases.]

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Use Java 1.4.2 in Firefox and other Mozilla browsers
Authored by: ms_t_rie on Thu, Dec 9 2004 at 10:26AM PST

I've been using this for a couple of days, and also didn't have to do anything other than drag the binaries into the Plugins folder. It works beautifully with Firefox, the sites that worked before load and execute the Java MUCH faster now, and some sites that didn't work before now do.

Use Java 1.4.2 in Firefox and other Mozilla browsers
Authored by: joshX on Thu, Dec 9 2004 at 10:54AM PST

This work with newer Netscape, Mozilla, Camino, Firefox etc., so with browsers based upon the GEKO engine.

There are some problems, but they mostly have to do with bugs in the Apple implementation of the Java VM 1.4.2.

---
Where I lay my @ there's my home!

Use Java 1.4.2 in Firefox and other Mozilla browsers
Authored by: kloidster on Tue, Jan 25 2005 at 2:06PM PST

I keep having problems with the following site:

http://llk.media.mit.edu/projects/emergence/

The java applet is supposed to have three buttons on the right of the black screen.

I installed the plugin, and did notice an increase in speed for loading the applets. Also, I noticed that once I clicked on an applet, I still had control over the keyboard - something that was not possible prior to this plugin.

Use Java 1.4.2 in Firefox and other Mozilla browsers
Authored by: chanamasala on Thu, Dec 9 2004 at 1:46PM PST

USPS Click-N-Ship still doesn't work with this plug-in. Safari works though.

Try to print a sample if you care to see what I mean.

https://sss-web.usps.com/ds/jsps/index.jsp

Use Java 1.4.2 in Firefox and other Mozilla browsers
Authored by: cleanhead on Thu, Dec 9 2004 at 3:33PM PST

Worked for me with Firefox 1.0.

Use Java 1.4.2 in Firefox and other Mozilla browsers
Authored by: neuralstatic on Thu, Dec 9 2004 at 2:55PM PST

does anyone have an example of a site which this fixes?

Use Java 1.4.2 in Firefox and other Mozilla browsers
Authored by: lssmit02 on Fri, Dec 10 2004 at 9:43AM PST

If you go to http://www.java.com/en/download/help/testvm.jsp you can see which version you are running. Try it before and after you install this plugin.

Use Java 1.4.2 in Firefox and other Mozilla browsers
Authored by: ms_t_rie on Fri, Dec 10 2004 at 10:21AM PST

www.wizards.com/chat

The chatrooms there only work with the Javalite client on OSX, and the 1.3 version most definitely doesn't work. In fact, I had trouble with Safari getting into there, sometimes it would take a few refreshes before I could get in with Safari. With this new plugin enabling 1.4 for Firefox, I now can get in properly, the 1st time, every time, and don't have to fire up Virtual PC and Windows to get in :)

Careful, It Still Isn't Quite Right
Authored by: ajsutton on Thu, Dec 9 2004 at 4:19PM PST

This plugin is definitely not all it's cracked up to be just yet, my advice would still be to hold off installing it unless you really need to. There's quite a few bugs that spring up with different applets which if you run into them are extremely annoying. Having said that, most of the simple applets that you run into around the web don't hit these problems so it may work fine for you.

Definitely take the time to carefully test any applets you depend on before getting too carried away with this plugin.

Careful, It Still Isn't Quite Right
Authored by: ms_t_rie on Fri, Dec 10 2004 at 10:16AM PST

Keep in mind that deinstalling it is simply a matter of dragging the two binaries out of the plugins folder, you're not going to break anything permanently by trying it out :)

With the older versions of Firefox, I did run into trouble with it, and deinstalled it, I gave it another try with the 1.0 release of Firefox and it works great with that. But if I ever do run into something that didn't work with it, but did work the 'old way', it's a simple matter to correct.

Careful, It Still Isn't Quite Right
Authored by: andyinindy on Sun, Dec 19 2004 at 11:08AM PST

Agreed, there are still issues.

For example, Firefox 1.0 will not launch with the 1.4.2 java plug-ins when the "adblock" extension is installed. FYI.

Careful, It Still Isn't Quite Right
Authored by: andyinindy on Tue, Dec 21 2004 at 3:22PM PST

Another extension to add to the "not compatible with java 1.4.2 plug-ins" list;

Weatherfox

Careful, It Still Isn't Quite Right
Authored by: raider on Tue, Dec 21 2004 at 4:10PM PST

Actually, it *would* launch. What you had to do was remove the java plugin, then launch Firefox twice, then you could add the java plugin back in.

This was a known bug, and has actually been fixed as of today, with 0.8.9 version of the plugin...

Use Java 1.4.2 in Firefox and other Mozilla browsers
Authored by: piera on Thu, Dec 23 2004 at 6:00PM PST

I tried the plugins and did the command that it said to do via the terminal and it worked perfectly!.. Glad I don't have to use Safari :)

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