Java Web Start Help

Since Java applets are no longer supported by the major web browsers for security reasons, I converted the most exciting applets I had created to Java Web Start applications. Such applications are supported by major web browsers such as Firefox, Chrome, or Edge, and while they don't integrate as easily and seamlessly as Java applets into web pages, they do have other advantages and - most importantly - can run safely inside a browser. To setup and configure the Java Web Start application:

1. Check for the Java Runtime Environment(JRE)
To run Java Web Start apps, you need to have the Java Runtime Environment(JRE) installed:
  • on Windows: press the Start button and type "configure"
  • on MacOS: click the Apple menu and select "System Prefs"
If you see a shortcut to the "configure Java" program, you have Java installed correctly and you can skip to step 3. Otherise continue with step 2.
2. Install the Java Runtime Environment (JRE)
Go to the Java download page www.java.com and download and install the version of Java appropriate for your Operating System.
3. Configuring the Java Web Start app
Open the "Java control panel" (see step 1). Switch to the "security" tab and edit the exception list by adding the web sites https://mathcs.org/ and https://www.mathcs.org/.

Close the configuration panel by clicking OK.
Now, to execute a web start application (e.g. zCalc), click on the corresponding Start button. A *.jnlp file will download to ypur computer. Double click on that file to start the web app. If you need to pick a program to handle *.jnlp files, pick the program "javaws.exe". If you see a warning before the app starts for the first time, just check the box to accept the risk.

If you still have problems, send me an email describing your problem.