Java won't run

Assuming you have the latest java update ( check software update) then you should :
Repair permissions.
Repair Disk from your install disk.
If that fails then run the combo updater for 10.5.6
hpr3

Be sure and check after the combo update that you have the latest Java release installed and any Security update"s". ( Check Software Update) be sure and repair permissions before and after the combo update.

hpr3

I should of asked this earlier. Could you post a link to the site you are having trouble with?
hpr3

It took about a minute to load the applet and I saw a note saying to run "fully optimized" I needed to Download Java 1.4.2. Went to Sun's site and that plugin is Windows only. Under Mac OS, the instructions were to go to Software Update for the latest version which is what we have both done.
Seems we are stuck at the moment with a website optimized for Windows coding.
hpr3

I am having this same problem with both Safari and Firefox. I like to play Addiction Solitaire from Shockwave. It used to work fine, but now I get a message telling me that Java is either unavailable or not installed. This has become more of a problem when I started taking an on-line course in Web design. I cannot get a website that I must be able to see for the class to display for me.

The link is: http://www.searchenginewatch.com/facts/article.php/2156041

I'm clueless about what to do.

There is definitely a problem with Safari - other browsers like Opera or Firefox will run Java applets using the same Java runtime you have just fine.
You can read more about it in the following thread:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1921644&tstart=45