ActivInspire & Java Runtime

gerardsweeney · November 26, 2018

Hi.

Our authority is looking at removing Java Runtime from our PCs because of the cost implications with the forthcoming licence changes.

Our Maths teachers make heavy use of the Equation Editor in Inspire.

Is there a way to get Inspire to use OpenJDK or Coretto (when it's officially launched)?

Cheers,

Gerard

phillyrovers · November 27, 2018

Hi @geradsweeney,

This question is one that will be best fired to the Promethean support team.

There is no way of changing what type of Java the equation editor uses (the equation editor is the only component of ActivInspire that uses Java), that is likely going to require some development work, or a total re-write of the equation editor.

If you fire this at the support team they will be able to route it to the relevant teams to be passed to the ActivInspire product managers.

Thanks

gerardsweeney · April 9, 2019

Hi, @phillyrovers.

I did as you suggested, and got a "we'll ask our technical team" type reply - then nothing.

I can't be the only Educational establishment that's ditching JRE and uses EquationEditor?

Arthur · April 9, 2019

Is there a way to get Inspire to use OpenJDK or Coretto (when it's officially launched)?

The equation editor works for me if I install the latest 32-bit OpenJDK (JRE) from the link below and add the following registry entries:

OpenJDK8U-jre_x86-32_windows_hotspot_8u202b08.msi

(https://github.com/AdoptOpenJDK/openjdk8-binaries/releases/tag/jdk8u202-b08)

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\JavaSoft\Java Runtime Environment]
"CurrentVersion"="1.8"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\JavaSoft\Java Runtime Environment\1.8]
"JavaHome"="C:\\Program Files (x86)\\AdoptOpenJDK\\jre-8.0.202.08"
"RuntimeLib"="C:\\Program Files (x86)\\AdoptOpenJDK\\jre-8.0.202.08\\bin\\server\\jvm.dll"

Surely someone on the Promethean technical support team must have known this?

I have also attached an MST to this post which you can use to add the necessary registry entries during the installation of this JDK.

OpenJDK8U-jre_x86-32_windows_ActivInspireFix.mst

Edited April 9, 2019 by Arthur

Arthur · April 10, 2019

Corretto?

I tried Amazon's Corretto today and found the equation editor also works with this JRE. The best thing about Amazon's JRE is that you don't need to add the registry entries I mentioned above if you use their (JDK) MSI.

https://docs.aws.amazon.com/corretto/latest/corretto-8-ug/downloads-list.html

phillyrovers · April 10, 2019

Hi @Arthur,

There are ways of changing the registry to get ActivInspire to work with various Java versions, but as Promethean technical support we cannot formally endorse this as a"solution"....ultimately ActivInspire needs to chnage to reflect the changes in not just Java, but also Flash, which is being depreciated in 2020 as well.

The fact that ActivInspire works with Amazon's Corretto is a good bit of information, and is one that I will take to take to the product team for formal testing....as that would then probably lead to questions around distribution and licencing, especially on the large scale ActivInspire user base.

@gerardsweeney,

Yuu have actually had an email from me this morning on this, basically, the product team still have this on their radar, but are currently working on a 2.15 update, which has some major changes included with it (but not yet Java/ Flash), once that is out the door, the conversations can start around Java and Flash.

You are happy to try Corretto if you want, as that may be a solution for you, though please let us know if it works, as again, it will be useful for the product team.

Thanks

gerardsweeney · May 22, 2019

The equation editor works for me if I install the latest 32-bit OpenJDK (JRE) from the link below and add the following registry entries:

Much obliged, kind Sir!!!

I'd tried this before, but I must have messed up one of the registry settings.

I'd ideally like to have it working without the registry entries, but we'll wait on Promethean sorting that out.

To my mind, having an option within Inspire where you tell it which Java install dll to point to.

Maybe some kind of pecking order..

If exist C:\Program Files (x86)\Activ Software\Inspire\Java\bin\server\jvm.dll, it'll use that.

Otherwise, get it to look in the registry for something like HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Activ Software\Inspire\App\1.0\JVM.DLL = REG_SZ = [path to jvm.dll]

Or a config file in the Inspire install folder.

Finally, if it doesn't find any of those conditions, then revert to the standard Java registry.

That way, it's running completely portable. Well, you get what I mean

Anyhoo - sound of Java removal being added to the Summer task list

Cheers,

Gerard

Arthur · May 22, 2019

Glad to hear it worked for you.

I'd ideally like to have it working without the registry entries

Those registry entries appear to be only required for the OpenJDK / AdoptOpenJDK. Amazon's Corretto MSIs include them by default.

In theory, once Promethean have completed their testing all they would need to do tell customers to use that instead of Oracle's JRE or any of the others.

Including an option to specify the location of the JVM is a good idea too.

Arthur · May 22, 2019

Is this not correct then?

Unfortunately not. If your MAT continues using Oracle's Java SE products (JRE or JDK) they would need to buy a Java SE subscription (at a cost of $2.50 per PC per month!)

Using Oracle's Java Runtime for Promethean's ActivInspire software would still require licenses for each PC where it is installed since you wouldn't be using Java for personal or development purposes.

Oracle have a FAQ at the link below that explains it in a bit more detail...

www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/overview/oracle-jdk-faqs.html

For what uses is Oracle Java SE, including Java 8 updates, free?
For full information and terms, refer to the OTN License Agreement for Java SE. The OTN License Agreement for Java SE for current Oracle Java SE releases allows them to be used, without cost:

For personal use on a desktop or laptop computer, such as to play games or run other personal applications.

For development, testing, prototyping, and demonstrating applications, including to use by/with profilers, debuggers, and Integrated Development Environment tools.

For use with some approved products, such as Oracle SQL Developer, or as an end user of a software application created by an approved product. (referred to as “Schedule A” and “Schedule B” Products in the OTN License Agreement for Java SE)

With identified Oracle Cloud Infrastructure products.

How do I get an Oracle Java SE license for other uses?
You can get an Oracle Java SE Subscription that includes commercial use license and support for as low as $2.50/desktop user/month at the Oracle Store. For volume discounts and larger purchases, please contact Oracle Sales.

Can you elaborate on what qualifies as Personal use?
Personal use is using Java on a desktop or laptop computer to do things such as to play games or run other personal applications. If you are using Java on a desktop or laptop computer as part of any business operations, that is not personal use. For example, you could use a Java productivity application to do your own homework or your personal taxes, but you could not use it to do your business accounting.

ActivInspire & Java Runtime

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