Microsoft has this week released the latest version of its
dominant internet browser, Internet Explorer 6.0, without support
for Java, the programming language developed by Sun Microsystems,
its latest move in a long running dispute between the two
companies.
Java was developed by Sun in 1995 as a language which operates
independently of the platform on which it runs, making it ideal for
the internet. However, to operate, the internet browser needs to
support the language, which it does with software known as the Java
virtual machine. Until this latest release from Microsoft, both IE
and rival browser Netscape Navigator included a Java virtual
machine.
Sun and Microsoft previously fought in court over Microsoft’s
prior use of Java trade marks and technology. As part of an
out-of-court settlement, Microsoft said it would stop including new
versions of Java, rather than paying for a licence, which upset
Sun. Sun wanted it to keep giving users a Java virtual machine.
Microsoft has now dropped Java completely.
This means that IE 6.0 users will have to download a patch to
see web pages made using Java, unless they are upgrading from a
previous version of IE which would have included the Java Virtual
Machine. Certain plug-ins, such as QuickTime, the music and video
player, will not work unless the developer of the site running the
application makes certain changes. Microsoft is instead supporting
its own equivalent technology in IE 6.0, called ActiveX. Microsoft
spokesman Jim Cullinan said the decision was taken to increase
security.
Sun is has responded angrily to Microsoft’s decision to drop all
support for Java. It has taken out adverts in US national papers,
encouraging people to lobby Microsoft to reinstate some Java
support.
