I teach online, and my learning management system (WebCT/Blackboard CE8) is heavily Java dependent. What has been people's experience with this update?
PowerBook G4 (15-inch 1.5/1.33 GHz), Mac OS X (10.6.8)
Hello:
Out of curiosity, where did you find an OS X 10.6.9 update? As faer as I know, Apple stopped updating OS X 10.6 at OS X 10.6.8.
Barry
Barry, it is JAVA update 9!
Ahhhh thanks, AK. 😀 I don't use OS X 10.6 any more, so I do not see updates.
Besides, I should have gotten that Java thought from reading the OP's post. 😊
Barry
Message was edited by: Barry Hemphill
I think everyone is a bit wary of using Java since the Flashback trojan, and so have it switched off.
I have installed that Java update 9 mainly becuase of that, and it seems fine. But I have no experience with those applications you are running.
Do you have any particular concern?
Yes, thanks, it is indeed a Java update. I am concerned about being able to log in to my courses, because this is not allowed if Java is disabled. And there are tools in the course, such a WYSIWYG html editor and a "My Computer" applet, that are Java based.
I am also concerned about helpdesk tickets if students are going to be installing this.
And I assume all Mac operating systems will be offered this update?
I think the default preference is to have Java off if it has been inactive for 35 days, but it can be switched on, as I have just done in Safari > Security > Enable Java. It stays that way after logging out and back in again.
Java can be tested to be working from going to this address.
http://www.javatester.org/version.html
I see it stated;
Java Version: 1.6.0_33 from Apple Inc.
Firefox keeps it disabled and I don't see where it can be re-enabled in that browser.
But if you need Java to run the software then you can enable it in Safari and use those tools.
details of the of the Java Update 9 here:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5319
So I think you should update, all of your Macs, as it will increase the security and you can still have Java functionality.
I don't know what a helpdesk ticket is, so can't offer anything there, sorry.
Java Update 9 availability is stated to be for 10.6.8 and 10.7.4
And I assume all Mac operating systems will be offered this update?
No, it's offered only in Snow Leopard. Prior OS versions did not get this update. For Lion and Mountain Lion, Java is completely optional and and not installed by default. Once it is installed, I don't know what version is being offered there; it may or not be more current. Snow, since is most likely no longer being supported by Apple, it will probably not be receiving any more Java updates.
Java, even if updated, has vulnerabilities and is being relentlessly exploited. I would be extremely careful where I allow it to run, especially, as Snow users, we will all be running an out of date Java, if not now, then quite soon.
If you have the current java plugin in Firefox, then go to the Add-ons Manager>Plugins and reenable Java, which, I believe, should be 13.8.0 You can check the version in HD/Library/Internet Plugins. Right click the alias to show the original.
Message was edited by: WZZZ
As roam said, it's automatically disabled in Java Preferences after a time. To reenable it, you need to be sure these boxes are checked. I keep it completely disabled here by choice. Checking the 32-bit box will automatically check the 64-bit box as well.
Some tips to harden Java here.
http://www.magmatic.com/apple-security-tip/2012/2/23/java-hardening-tips.html
Message was edited by: WZZZ
Experience with Update 9
