Do I still need Java on my computer?

[stix213]

Don't confuse JavaScript with Java, they are two completely different things. JavaScript is common on so many websites, it is here to stay for the foreseeable future. JavaScript requires no client side application other than the browser installed (you do not install Java to run JavaScript). Java though is virtually unneeded on the client side by most users.

Java isn't used on any major websites today that you casual visit, and is only used on a fairly small number of websites at all today. The only one I can think of that I needed Java for in the last 2 years was part of the Comcast internet activation process. After activation you can remove it though. I currently don't have java installed on any machine and haven't for over a year without running into anything asking for it.

[stix213]

Interesting results. I also use cox email and have no problems even without Java.

Note: I didn't touch any of my firefox plugins. I thought I should have Javascript still installed but it doesn't appear to be there either

JavaScript isn't a plugin, it is integrated into the browser itself.

[the86d]

(Java is the Sun's way of telling you to screw yourself, and that you don't waste enough time doing work, but have to wait for Java to buffer absolutely nothing, waste time updating Java while it thinks about updating (which may, or may not even happen), then give another pop-up stating that it is ready to update, then give you a pop-up to ask you if you want to do something when it is already running just behind the pop-up. )

[ocabj]

Java itself is a solid programming language. It has decent memory management and garbage collection, and while a good programmer will know to manage resources correctly no matter what language they use, the Java sandbox does a fairly decent job of containing the applications.

I totally understand many a frustration trying to troubleshoot stack trace errors in tomcat served applications, but at the same time, you get a platform to deliver web based applications in a safer environment than straight CGI.

But most people are only familiar with Java applications as they run on their computer, and not on the server. It's quite surprising that people don't even know about servlets vs applets, and discount Java as a valid solution for web applications. I'm pretty sure everyone here is using Tomcat+CAS/Shibboleth for web application SSO.