How to install / enable Java Plugin / Applets in Firefox on CentOS 5

CentOS comes with OpenJava JRE installed. However that doesn't provide the required libraries to run Java from browsers (read: applets). Here are the steps to install and enable applets / Java plugin in Firefox browser on CentOS 5.

Note: The instructions may be applicable to other versions of CentOS, Fedora, others Linux distros too. However it has only been tested on CentOS 5.3. Full article (310 words) »

How to download & install JDK 6

I never thought I would have to write this article. Downloading Java was the simplest thing possible. Just go to java.sun.com and download the JDK. Unfortunately Sun has (intentionally?) complicated the procedure to such an extent that it almost takes an expert to download the proper version of JDK and without any extra and often unnecessary baggage.

Let's call this article: The Art of Downloading & Installing JDK 6 Full article (479 words) »

Java / JDK 7 Downloaded?

I have just started playing with JDK 7 (JDK stands for Java development kit and is suitable for Java developers, others should just download the JRE). Java 7 comes with some impressive features. My personal favorite is the WatchService API, more on it later.

Full article (956 words) »

Progressive Disclosure in API Design with example

Progressive Disclosure apiYou have probably heard about the progressive disclosure principle of UI design. In Progressive disclosure design you defer advanced or rarely used features to a secondary screen, making applications easier to learn and less error-prone. It has been successfully argued that the same principles can be and should be applied to API design, which are consumed by humans (programmers).

Full article (632 words) »

How to force any Java program to use HTTP proxy

You can either specify it on command line or within program code by setting three system properties as below: Full article (69 words) »
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