Vincent Puglia — Wed, 05 Jul 2000 12:57:51 +0000

Hi Nancy,

The bad news: There are no guarantees in life.
The indifferent news: java & javascript are two distinct languages, with different capabilities, compatibilities, etc.
All browsers begin life with the ability to read, interpret, and display 'javascript' scripts. The same is not necessarily true for 'java' applets (they are not called scripts because they must be compiled, turned into machine language). At least nine out of ten users will be able to run the applet. Ten out of ten users will be able to run a well-written javascript.
If you want to see if the user can handle the applet, you can place the following between your tags:

</script>

If you would like to learn javascript, see the javascript primer at: htmlGoodies. It's easy, amusing, and an excellent place to start.

Hope this answers some of your questions/fears
Vinny

Perhaps I should have phrased it differently...

NancyLee — Tue, 04 Jul 2000 23:32:12 +0000

Uh-oh, I said I was new... OK - it's a java applet...
the help file says it's supported by all the lastest browsers (IE3, 4+ and Netscape 2,3,4+)

What I'd like NOT to do is: "have a visitor will be unable to navigate, become frustrated, and leave."

"You might consider having a javascript navigation as a backup."

- Is a java applet the same as a javascript and does this mean all browsers will be compatible?

TIA

Vincent Puglia — Tue, 04 Jul 2000 22:39:50 +0000

Hi,

Other than making sure it is configured and set up correctly (codebase, parameters, class files, etc), you don't. If the browser does not support java (which is different from javascript), your visitor will be unable to navigate, become frustrated, and leave.
You might consider having a javascript navigation as a backup.

Vinny