In Need of Some Help with the Latest Software Update...

Java for Mac OS X 10.6 update 11 is the latest Java update that supercedes the update 10 you did previously.

Install the latest one offered.

Hello NObodE,

You are reading it correctly in the sense that all updates 9,10 and 11 have in common the temporary disabling of Java.

Which means if you don't use Java at all, then there is no need to install the update.

However, if you do use Java occasionally by manually re-enabling it, then update 11 contains new fixes that were previously not known when update 10 came out, and in turn update 10 contained fixes that were an improvement over update 9. So while they have that common thread of disablement, they also have specific elements within them as well, that vary with each update, which is of benefit, if you choose to use Java.

If you don't use Java, then there is no need to install the update. With Java disabled you can pass that one by.

One small point. Even if you do download the update, if java is disabled in your browser, the update will register but java itself will remain disabled.

NObodE wrote:

I read a couple Apple security websites and one was even saying that this latest java update is really only for 10.7 and higher.

There are two updates, one for Snow Leopard only and another for Lion/Mountain Lion. The latter completely removes the plug-ins rather than just disabling them, forcing those users to upgrade to Java 7 if they need Java in their browsers.

NObodE wrote:

I understand there are 2 updates. So what is the big deal with removing Java if I have disabled it in like 3 different places on my MBP?

But as I said it does not remove Java for Snow Leopard users. As you quoted it just insures that your web browser will not automatically run it. That's exactly the same thing that update 9 and 10 did. I'm not sure what three places you disabled it in (2 browsers and Java Preferences?) but did you also disable Java from running desktop applications by unchecking all the boxes in Java Preferences?

Are you saying I should still install the latest Update 11?

If you never use Java for anything on your Mac, then I guess there may be no reason to. Believe it or not, OS X actually uses a subset of Java code for some unknown reason. Whether this update includes that code or not I don't really know. If it does then it would make sense to install Update 11.

If you have any Java based applications on your Mac or if you think you might have occassion to use it on a web site at any time in the future, you should install Update 11.

The only reason I can think of not to install Update 11 is if you use the Java Preference app to switch between different versions of Java, which almost nobody will ever need to do. I really can't think of any other downside.

NObodE wrote:

Yes, there are many areas in SL on my MBP beside Safari where the installed Java Applet, Java Preferences, etc. These are some of the places one can disable Java, especially in Java Pref. Did you not know this?

Yes, I knew this, I was just not clear on what three places you were talking about. Java Preferences allows you to choose what version of Java you want to use throughout your Mac or to disable all versions. It also allows you to disable your web plugin and applet starter in the top block. You can also disable the web plugin in most browsers, but this is redundant to the one in Java Preferences.

If you can disable Java this way, why all of the updates, especially this is the 3rd one I am being asked to install by Apple, when I have already installed the previous 2.

The third one (aka Update 11) updates SE 1.6.0_35 to 1.6.0_37 to close some security vulnerabilities. In your case that's the only reason you should install it.

My point was that it didn't matter if you installed the update or not providing Java was disabled during general use. There are occasions when it is necessary to have Java enabled (dealing with some financial institutions) and at such a time the facility should be at its highest update level. By installing it you are prepared.