Java 7 has arrived

"Regardless of whether or not there are more/newer versions of Java6..."    We now have an answer to this implicit question:   Java 6 update 27 has just been released:

Highlights

This update release contains important enhancements for Java applications:

• Improved performance and stability
• Certification for Firefox 5

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How ironic that Java 6 is finally certified for FF 5... now that FF5 is [presumably] "end-of-life", having been superseded by FF 6.

From a security perspective:   "Java SE 6u27 does not add any fixes for security vulnerabilities beyond those in Java SE 6u26. Users who have Java SE 6u26 have the latest security fixes and do not need to upgrade to this release to be current on security fixes".

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The release of J6 u 27 now raises the question:   What are the differences (pros/cons, advantages) between the latest java 6 update, relative to Java 7, which recently introduced?  

Joe,

FYI, without Java on my system, it seems I was able to access the link you included above.   The music was playing, the lyrics were displayed (rather cute/creative, by the way).   Unless, perhaps, there was something more that was being suppressed by the lack of java?... which I tend to doubt since, since if that were the case, I'd have expected to get a warning/prompt that Java was missing and needed to be installed.

Is the Windows x64 the version I need for Windows 7 64 bit?

Speaking of irony:

Once upon a time constructing Java (and Anfy) applets, and posting these files in the now defunct Dell "Scratch Pad" forum were a staple that both attracted many regulars, and kept that forum alive. Also the ability to post sound files in midi and mp3 format. I must say we all had a great time.

 But concerns over security related to these files put the kybosh on java, midi, and mp3 posts about 8 years ago in these forums, and Scratch Pad died out. I lamented this loss way back when (you will need Java installed to view this old post from my website archives: http://naut.homestead.com/files/myjava/myjava.html

I too have abandoned Java  (JRE) programs as an unnecessary risk some time ago, but with each new update, I often wonder how big this risk is these days. I have no answer. (The irony, of course, is that all my old files were archived in a Java format ...)

Annie,

x64 bit systems come with two distinct versions of IE... a 32-bit version, and a 64-bit version.    You need the version of Java that corresponds to your browser type:  if you use the 32-bit IE, you'll need 32-bit java.   If you use the 64-bit IE, you'll need the x64-java.   And if you use both IE versions, then you'll actually need to install both versions of Java!

The same holds true for FF, which now offers both a 32-bit and a 64-bit version.

EDIT:   I think the following is more-or-less correct:

in an x64-bit system, your 64-bit programs (such as IEx64) are located in your PROGRAM FILES folder , while your 32-bit programs (including "old fashioned, standard" IE) are located in your PROGRAM FILES (x86) folder.   So if you can see which of these folder your IE is running from, that should determine the version you're running.   If I had to guess, odds are you're running the 32-bit version, as many add-ons (including Flash, and most of the common toolbars) are available only for the 32-bit versions.    In the future, more 64-bit add-ons will become available.  

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And if you're wondering why the "older" Program Files folder gets the designation (x86) rather than (32-bit), the x86 refers to the series of Intel processors that were originally used in "IBM-compatible" computers.  The original IBM PC (and its "clones") started with an 8086 processor (well, due to cost, they often used a cheaper 8-bit-bus 8088 instead)... then there was the 80186, which didn't have much popularity... followed by the more powerful 80286 [or simply, 286] (used in so-called "AT"-class machines)... then the 80386 [simply 386] followed by the 80486 [aka 486].    You'll notice all these end with "86"--- hence, the "x86" series of Intel processors.

When it was time to introduce the next level, 80586 [586], Intel, upon realizing it could not claim copyrite to a number, instead introduced the trademark PENTIUM name.   PENTI (as in PENTIgon) implying 5 (as in 586).  

This seems to be the easiest way to verify whether you are using 32-bit or 64-bit browser before downloading Java:
a.    Click the icon that you use all the time to launch your Internet Explorer browser.
b.    Click on the Help tab at the top.
c.    Select About Internet Explorer which will bring up an information window.
d.    If version of IE displays 64-bit Edition, then it is 64-bit IE, otherwise it is 32-bit browser.

ky331, Thank for the complete explanation.

Bugbatter-My Internet Explorer 9 says" cipher strength 256 bit."  Is this the same thing you are referencing?

cipher strength refers to the level of encryption (encoding) used by the browser, when it transmits secure information over the web.   Nowadays, most secure sites require a minimum of 128 bit encryption... and that's the best one can do under win XP.   Vista and win7 allow for 256 bit encryption, which is many many orders of magnitude (i.e., not just simply twice) more secure than 128 bit.

the encyption code length (128 or 256) is NOT what BB was referring to in determining whether you're running a 32-bit or 64-bit version of IE.

ky331, Ok Now I understand. I just checked under Programs and it seems like I have both the 32 bit and 64bit versions of IE. I never knew that.  Thanks ky331.  

David.

To answer your question:

"Regardless of whether or not there are more/newer versions of Java6..."    We now have an answer to this implicit question:   Java 6 update 27 has just been released. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The release of J6 u 27 now raises the question:   What are the differences (pros/cons, advantages) between the latest java 6 update, relative to Java 7, which recently introduced?

J6 u 27 has been released by Java because v. 7 is still not found in Java.com according to this:

Why is Java SE 7 not yet available on java.com?

The new release of Java is first made available to the developers to ensure no major problems are found before we make it available on the java.com website for end users to download the latest version. If you are interested in trying Java SE 7 it can be downloaded from Oracle.com

http://www.java.com/en/download/faq/java7.xml 

I do not want to call Java 7 a beta because nor Java, or Oracle named it as such, but according to that pharagraph, we might call it, privately, "released candidate ?". I might be wrong though.

@ Annie.

There is this interesting thread about W 7, IE 8, IE 9 32 and 64 bit and more where you participated. I believed David and Joe explained something of that matter. 

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/virus-spyware/f/3522/t/19379692.aspx 

Regards.