Recently at a website I got a prompt to download Java to be able to view something graphic at the site. It wanted me to download SunJava2 SE 5.0. I've seen so many different types of Java available for download, would this version be better than others? I just upgraded from 98 to XP and I had 2 different Java's on the old OS. I don't want to download this and have another site recommend a different version to view *their* graphics, and end up with 5,000 different versions on my computer. LOL! ;)

sun java is the main one. i dont know the history but i think microsoft were succesfully sued and had to stop implementing its java in its os? dont quote me. so sun java is fine to install as its the real version anyone who knows more facts on this please do not hesitate to correct me and make me feel dumb Athlon xp 2000+ @1.7 pc 2100 256mb ram radeon 8500 win xp home oem several other things new pc on way

Go here to get the J2SE Runtime Environment... http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.5.0/download.jsp Ignis vulpes impero

Hi Simon, Yes, I believe Microsoft uses Virtual Machine now. I won't mess with that unless I absolutely have to. I rarely use IE these days anyway, I prefer FireFox. I'm a huge fan of tabbed browsing. But when I come across a website that isn't Netscape-friendly I bring out the IE beastie. I just wanted to know if this particular Sun Java version (J2SE 5.0) is a good one to use with XP. All those different versions of Sun Java confuse me and make me feel sooo blonde. ;) At the Sun Java website it mentions that this version is bundled with NetBeans 4.0. I have no idea what NetBeans is or what it's used for ... I think that makes me the dumb one. LOL!

Hi Wombat, So J2SE 1.5 is a better version than J2SE 5.0? There are so many versions out there I just want to make certain I pick the best one. ;)

It's the same thing (version) Rhonda, Sun are confusing #$@^'s at times... Ignis vulpes impero

Hi, just saw the post as I came in. Rhonda, you will find there is more to Java than the MSJava Virtual Machine. Though you probably won't need to know about the whole thing (that's a relief!). Simon, I don't want to make anyone feel dumb :) http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/java/ will have the "end of life" info for the MS/Sun settlement. Ends in 2007. Don't let it all confuse you, JRE 5.0 Update 1 includes the JVM technology for the end-user. you don't need the other files unless you write code and such. There is also documentation if you need some sleep... ;} I just downloaded the version 1.4.2_06 for my Win98se today myself. Good luck, Keith