Java settings on your computer

You need to have the Java Runtime Environment installed on your computer to use Dexter. Your computer's Java settings are adjusted in different places depending on your operating system, and for different versions of Java. So see below for the OS-specific info that applies to you.

How do I know what version of Java I have?

You can test your version of Java at javatester.org or at java.com here or here.

Where can I get the latest version of Java?

If you are using Windows, Linux, or Unix, get Java from the java.com download page. It's free and takes less than 5 minutes to install (if you have a fast internet connection).

If you're using a Mac, you already have Java installed. However, the version of Java you can use depends on which version of OS X you're running. Any version of OS X prior to 10.4 (Tiger) cannot run Java 1.5 or later. But Dexter will work just as well with Java 1.4, which will run on your computer. To get the latest updates for Java, do what you would normally do to get updates: Go to System Preferences...Software Update...Check Now. This will look for all sorts of updates, not just Java ones. You can also set your computer to automatically check for updates, which is not a bad idea. See the Apple website for more info on Java and Mac OS X.

What the heck is Java 5.0?

It's the same thing as Java 1.5. They're just trying to keep things confusing.

Do I want the JRE or the JDK (SDK)?

The Java Development Kit (Software Development Kit) is only for Java developers. You only need the Java Runtime Environment, which is much smaller.

Java settings on Windows

Java 1.5

Most Java settings can be adjusted in the Java Control Panel. This is also where you can get access to the Java Application Cache Viewer, which is where you can see what programs Java Web Start has installed.

To open the Java Control Panel, click Start...Control Panel...Java.

Here are two ways to open the Java Application Cache Viewer on your computer:

  • For a shortcut, just click here.
  • Open the Java Control Panel, and then, under the General tab and in the Temporary Internet Files section, click Settings. This will open a new window called Temporary File Settings. Click View Applications, and the Java Application Cache Viewer will open.

Once you've opened the Java Application Cache Viewer:

  • If you want to create a shortcut to one of the Dexter tools, first verify that the tool appears in the list of applications. If so, select the tool and click Application...Install Shortcuts. To change the future behavior of Java Web Start with respect to installing shortcuts, go to the Java Control Panel, click on the Advanced tab, and look under Shortcut Creation. Anything other than "Never Allow" should enable Dexter shortcuts.
  • If you want to launch one of the Dexter tools from here, just select the tool and click Launch Online or Launch Offline.
  • If you want to remove one of the Dexter tools, select the tool and click Application...Remove Application.
  • If you want to know the location of the cache where JWS puts these applications, open the Java Control Panel, and then, under the General tab and in the Temporary Internet Files section, click Settings. This will open a new window called Temporary File Settings. Where it says Location, you will see the path to the JWS cache. You can change this if you want to.

Java 1.4

Most Java settings can be adjusted in the Java Control Panel. (Note that the link in the previous sentence is to the online documentation for the Java 1.5 Control Panel, so it will look different.) To open the Java Control Panel, click Start...Control Panel...Java.

All Java Web Start programs are managed using the Application Manager.

Here are three ways to open the Application Manager on your computer:

  • For a shortcut, just click here.
  • If there is a Java or Java Web Start folder under your Start Menu, click the link to Java Web Start or Application Manager.
  • If need be, you can search your hard drive for the file javaws.exe and click on it once you've found it.

Once you've opened the Application Manager:

  • If you want to create a shortcut to one of the Dexter tools, first verify that the tool appears in the list of applications. If necessary, click View...Downloaded Applications. Select the tool and click Application...Create Shortcuts. To change the future behavior of Java Web Start with respect to installing shortcuts, click File...Preferences. Then click the Shortcuts tab and under "When To Create", choose a setting. Anything other than "Never..." should enable Dexter shortcuts.
  • If you want to launch one of the Dexter tools from here, just select the tool and click Start.
  • If you want to remove one of the Dexter tools, select the tool and click Application...Remove Application.
  • If you want to know the location of the cache where JWS puts these applications, click File...Preferences. Then click the Advanced tab. Under Application Folder Options, you will see the path to the JWS cache. You can change this if you want to.

Java settings on Mac OS X

Java 1.4

In Mac OS X, All Java-related things are found under Applications...Utilities...Java. This includes Java Web Start and the Java Plug-in Control Panel. To see the applications that Java Web Start has installed, double-click on Java Web Start; this will open the Java Web Start Application Manager. Once you've opened that...

  • If you want to put an alias to an application on your desktop (or wherever), select the application and click Applications...Create Desktop Application. It will ask you what to call it and where to save it. Name it "Dexter Coder" or "Dexter Converter" (for example) and save it wherever you like.
  • If you want to remove an application, just select it and click Applications...Remove Application.

If you want to know the actual location of the cache where JWS puts these applications, look under your home directory...Library...Caches...Java Web Start.

Java 1.5

To come...