Java is Dead: And there was much rejoicing in the streets

[sonofsanta]

Oracle deprecates the Java browser plugin, prepares for its demise | Ars Technica

 

Oracle, which acquired Java as part of its 2010 purchase of Sun Microsystems, has announced that the plugin will be deprecated in the next release of Java, version 9, which is currently available as an early access beta. A future release will remove it entirely.

 

Except, of course, it's not all balloons and Bucks Fizz for us, is it, 'cos we'll still have to find a way to run this garbage--garbage that will now stop receiving security updates--in order to support random Maths packages from 2001 that one teacher refuses to move from. I should be delighted. Instead, I am scared.

Edited January 28, 2016 by sonofsanta

[DalekSec]

*Pops open the fizzy stuff* WOP WOP

[Davit2005]

It will for years too come because of all the hardware that unfortunately uses java applets etc to administer. Thus continiuing the head ache for IT admin and management.

[mikeprice]

 

Except, of course, it's not all balloons and Bucks Fizz for us, is it, 'cos we'll still have to find a way to run this garbage--garbage that will now stop receiving security updates--in order to support random Maths packages from 2001 that one teacher refuses to move from. I should be delighted. Instead, I am scared.

 

I share your pain - although I would be happy if the random software here was as recent as 2001

I have some installation CDs that have Windoze 95 as the most up to date system they will run on!

 

But the are 'essential to Teaching and Learning'

[DJ-1701]

At least it means further java app creation is less likely.

[sonofsanta]

It will for years too come because of all the hardware that unfortunately uses java applets etc to administer. Thus continiuing the head ache for IT admin and management.

 

Ha, yes--I have a pair of HP Brocade fibre switches that require a specific version of Java running on XP to administer. I live in fear of any configuration problems.

[Steve21]

So every single ProCurve? Harr.

 

Curious to know in reality though is there any way for them to stop the old plugins? As what just stops them using an older version of java that allows it? Or will it more be the browsers disabling the ability?

 

Steve

[Davit2005]

Ha, yes--I have a pair of HP Brocade fibre switches that require a specific version of Java running on XP to administer. I live in fear of any configuration problems.

 

Same here, both Brocades require earlier versions and even then some browsers are not happy. Then add to that our Blade System HP C7000 iLO Java plugins

[Sagima]

I share your pain - although I would be happy if the random software here was as recent as 2001

I have some installation CDs that have Windoze 95 as the most up to date system they will run on!

 

But the are 'essential to Teaching and Learning'

 

If it doesn't run on the currently supported versions of software then the department in question has to find a replacement in their next budget. We don't support things that old - SMT seemed to think that was perfectly reasonable when I took it to them about 5 years ago.

Usually there's a free html5 or something version of it knocking around on the internet. A few times the response has been - I have a powerpoint that shows basically the same thing. Twice the response has been "oh we haven't used that for years" - then why is it on your software request list every summer then?

 

We currently only support making things work on the last two versions of java/flash/silverlight, ie11 and the latest chrome, 64bit windows 7 sp1 (we dropped support for osx this year)

 

Only works on IE10 of earlier - gets replaced or dropped

Requires java 1.4 (or indeed 8u30) - gets replaced or dropped

only works on windows xp/vista - gets replaced or dropped

16 bit software of any kind - gets replaced or dropped

[speckytecky]

As someone who has big time struggled with Jave and can't currently access the interface of HP Procurve 2910 al switches as a result what in reality is this going to mean. Can anyone explain in simple terms pretty please?

[Steve21]

As someone who has big time struggled with Jave and can't currently access the interface of HP Procurve 2910 al switches as a result what in reality is this going to mean. Can anyone explain in simple terms pretty please?

 

In terms of IT at the worst you'll need an old computer/browser/java install to be able to use them.

 

In terms of staff/students, hahahaha all your old rubbish software no longer works with new updates

 

Steve

[Sagima]

As someone who has big time struggled with Jave and can't currently access the interface of HP Procurve 2910 al switches as a result what in reality is this going to mean. Can anyone explain in simple terms pretty please?

 

My take on it was that what is now the java web app would now just be baked into the browser - I think they claim it's something new but "Java Web Start Technology" will probably end up being basically the same thing only getting updates in edge/ie11 via windows update and via browser updates via chrome/firefox

[Boredguy]

We've got to keep Java going over here as the gate control system has a java interface for us to update stuff over the network, plus some of the switches, and the Ruckus client map.

 

Never mind that some exam boards always want it installed now for their software to work. Bah *puts bubbly away*

[DJ-1701]

Oracle has some advice on how to best migrate away from the plugin for these organizations.

 

The way I am reading the migration from plugin document, JavaFX WebView will be an alternative to access this content (Inverted Browser Control).

[CyberNerd]

I use a local install of JWS to launch Cisco ASDM, IBM management tools etc. It doesn't need to run in a browser plugin if you have the jnlp file.

[GRitchie]

Does this mean I won't be able to manage my beautiful Netgear switches anymore and I'll be forced to make the heartbreaking move to HP?

(Hear my irony. HEAR IT!!)