Running Marvin Applets under Mac OS
About Java Versions
Each Mac OS X system contains a built-in Java (version 1.3.1 or later).
This built-in Java is also called MRJ 3.x. Under this platform, most browsers use it
for running applets. The following links provide more info about the features of
these Java releases:
From OS X 10.2.3,
Java 1.4.1 is available.
After you upgrade from Java 1.3.1 to 1.4.1 the previous Java version is also available.
Among the Java enabled browsers on this platform, only Safari (and Firefox) supports 1.4.1. and above versions of Java.
The others use either built-in Java or an MRJ plugin that only supports Java 1.3.1.
Note: There is a Java plugin: JEP (Java Embedding Plugin) that
also supports 1.4.1 and above versions of Java. But it is not compatible with all browsers. It is
still a beta quality software, and may have bugs and cause problems.
You can download it from the JEP project site.
To install it, follow its installation instructions.
OS X 10.4 (Tiger)
Safari 2.0
This is the default browser for Tiger. Safari uses Java 1.4.2 for
running applets. Java - JavaScript communication is fully supported.
This browser is recommended for Marvin applets.
Firefox 1.5
It is not part of the operating system but it is downloadeable.
Like Safari, it also support Java 1.4.2 for running applets.
Although, MAYSCRIPT (calling JavaScript from Java applets) works, there are
a couple of shortcomings in this browser.
Shortcomings
- Accessing the methods of Java applets from JavaScript is not supported.
- The applet never losts the focus.
Mozilla 1.7
Mozilla does not support Java 1.4.2, in default. It still use Java
1.3.1 for running applets.
Shortcomings
- Java - JavaScript communication does not work.
- The applet never losts the focus.
OS X 10.3 (Panther)
Safari 1.2
This is the default browser in OS X 10.3. Panther supports several Java
versions (1.3.1, 1.4.1 and 1.4.2). Safari always uses the latest Java version
to run applets.
Java - JavaScript communication is supported (if Java 1.4.2 is installed).
Netscape 7.1 / Mozilla 1.4 and above
These browsers contains a built-in Java Plugin that can automatically detect
the built-in Java of OS X (only Java 1.3.1) for running applets.
Shortcomings (with built-in Plugin)
- Java - JavaScript communication does not work.
- Java 1.4.1 and above Java versions are not supported.
To run applets with Java 1.4.2, install
JEP (Java Embedding Plugin).
Netscape 6.2.1 - 7.0.2
The Netscape 6 family applies Apple's Java 1.3.1 which is built into OS X
for running applets. Although the methods of Java applets are available from
JavaScript in these browser they also has got a few shorcomings.
Shortcoming
- Java 1.4.1 and above version is not supported.
- Calling JavaScript from Java (MAYSCRIPT) does not work.
- Focus lost bug: the browser can crash if the applet is active and
you click somewhere (outside of the applet area).
Troubleshooting
If the browser requests a plugin for the applet, install MRJ Carbon Plugin:
- Download
MRJ Carbon Plugin.
- Install it by double clicking on the downloaded archive file. If the
archive is not extracted automatically, start the
Stuffit Expander and extract the archive manually.
- Move the
MRJPluginCarbon file from the created
MRJPluginCarbon-1.0 directory into
Library/Internet Plug-Ins folder.
Internet Explorer 5.x
Although Internet Explorer is still part of the operating system but we do
not recommend it because of the following shortcomings.
Shortcomings
- Only Java 1.3.1 is supported for running applets.
- Java - JavaScript communication does not work.
OS X 10.2 (Jaguar)
Netscape 7.1 / Mozilla 1.4 and above
Netscape 7.1 and newer Mozilla packages contain an built-in Java plugin that
can automatically detect the built-in Java of OS X (only Java 1.3.1) for
running applets.
Shortcomings (with built-in Plugin)
- Java - JavaScript communication does not work.
- Java 1.4.1 and above Java versions are not supported.
To run applets with Java 1.4.1, install
JEP (Java Embedding Plugin).
Netscape 6.2.1 - 7.0.2
The Netscape 6 family applies Apple's Java 1.3.1 which is built into OS X
for running applets.
In these browsers, methods of Java applets are accessible from JavaScript code.
Shortcomings
- Java 1.4.1 and above Java versions are not supported.
- Processing JavaScript code from a Java applet (MAYSCRIPT)
does not work.*
* In a few configuration, applets can call JavaScript code but it may
cause freezing.
Troubleshooting
If Java Plugin is not available for applets,
install MRJ Carbon Plugin.
Safari 1.0
Safari recommends Java 1.4.1 for running applets.
Shortcomings
- Java - JavaScript communication does not work.
- Copy/Paste functionality is not yet supported between Marvin and other
application
Troubleshooting
If the current Java version is 1.3.1, the browser may freeze up during the
loading of a signed applet. In this case, upgrade your Java (to 1.4.1 or
later).
Internet Explorer 5.x
Although Internet Explorer is the default browser in OS X 10.2, we do
not recommend it because of the following shortcomings.
Shortcomings
- Only Java 1.3.1 is supported for running applets.
- Java - JavaScript communication does not work.
OS X 10.1
Netscape 7.1 / Mozilla 1.4 and above
Netscape 7.1 and newer Mozilla packages are not compatible with the previous
MRJ plugins. If you would like to run applets on this platform, you should
install
JEP (Java Embedding Plugin).
Netscape 6.2.1 - 7.0.2
The Netscape 6 family applies Apple's Java 1.3.1 which is built into OS X
for running applets.
In these browsers, methods of Java applets are accessible from JavaScript code.
Shortcomings
Mac OS X 10.1.x is distributed with a Java version which is
compatible with Sun's 1.3.1_02 Java.
If your applet runs with this Java version, calling JavaScript from Java
is not fully supported.
The MarvinView applet may not be able to run JavaScript commands in the
following cases:
- Netscape 6.x and 7.0 (with MRJ Carbon Plugin
1.0)*
- Netscape 7.0x**
*: Upgrade plugin with MRJ Carbon
Plugin 1.0.1
to be able to use this feature in unsigned applet in Netscape 6.x.
**: JavaScript command may cause freezing.
Troubleshooting
If Java Plugin is not available for applets,
install MRJ Carbon Plugin.
Internet Explorer 5.x
Although Internet Explorer is the default browser in OS X 10.1, we do
not recommend it because of the following shortcomings.
Shortcomings
- Java - JavaScript communication does not work.
- Repeated reloading of applets causes a memory leak.*
* It is an MRJ specific bug that is fixed in OS X 10.2