Date: Mon, 07 Jun 2010 14:24:47 -0700 From: Chuck Swiger <cswiger@mac.com> To: Jerry <freebsd.user@seibercom.net> Cc: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org Subject: Re: Java plugin with Firefox 3.6 Message-ID: <73E194E2-9945-4733-AFBA-4591CEAB8790@mac.com> In-Reply-To: <20100607160834.6f34972f@scorpio> References: <20100607104630.EA5FA1065741@hub.freebsd.org> <20100608003222.A27982@sola.nimnet.asn.au> <20100607160834.6f34972f@scorpio>
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On Jun 7, 2010, at 1:08 PM, Jerry wrote: [ ... ] > I honestly enjoy satire. That said, it does not change the fact that a = serviceable version of Java, suitable for Firefox-3.6, does not exist = within the FreeBSD framework. That's pretty much accurate, if you don't want to consider running = FF+Java under Linux emulation. =20 > A quick investigation of other operating systems would seem to = indicate that FreeBSD is virtually alone in this regards. The JRE from java.sun.com has binaries for Linux, Solaris, and Windows-- = which are the officially supported Java platforms-- and one could add = Apple's MacOSX. If you are running FreeBSD, Plan 9, HP/UX, IRIX, AIX, = or anything else, Java is not going to be nearly as well-supported. If Java is critical to you, seriously consider using another platform. > Now, I assume that you are familiar with the nVidia 64 bit drivers and > FreeBSD. It took years for that to be rectified. Based on that past > experience, I feel that stating that Firefox-4 might well be released > before a serviceable Java is available for version 3.6+ is a real > possibility. That's entirely possible. > Your commentary does serve to prove a very real point however. To wit: >=20 > Pointing out or stating a problem with a Microsoft product is > insightful, constructive criticism; however, doing the same for an = open > source product is destructive, counter productive, flame bait. Like many things, different people's motives and perspective tend to = shape how they perceive the same set of underlying facts. > Seriously Ian, I question whether the FreeBSD authors are more > interested in bumping version numbers than they are in producing a > fully serviceable, quality product. The two aren't closely related. Major version # bumps in commercial = software often happen because the vendor wants to sell upgrade licenses, = but that motivation simply doesn't apply to FreeBSD. Major version # = bumps happen in FreeBSD primarily because of major API changes which end = up making an entirely new version of userland libc & other libraries = desirable. =20 > When was the last time you tried getting a native FreeBSD driver for = an 'N' class USB wireless device? Never. The only 'N' device I have around is a Macbook Pro, and that's = running the vendor-supplied driver which came with the device. > Drivers for chips over a year old don't exist. It just seems to > me that the priority should be on getting the present product fully > functional rather than simply bumping version numbers. Then again, = that > is just my 2=E2=82=B5. Hopefully you get your money's worth. Regards, --=20 -Chuck
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