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FAQ
| Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) |
Questions:
- Can I use the SSDB software with a Mac?
- What is Metadata?
- What is Java?
- What is Java Webstart?
- How are Webstart programs different from Java
applets?
- Does Webstart support Mozilla?
I still can't get an answer to my question:
- send mail to IODP admin and we'll do our best to help.
Answers:
Can I use the SSDB
software with a Mac?
If you have OS X, Java
Web Start should be working already.
Unfortunately, the earlier OS's for Macintosh
are not supported by either Sun or Apple with
regards to Web Start. However, there is an open
source group that does have Web Start available
for the Mac OS Classic, it can be found
here.
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What is Metadata?
Metadata simply
defined is information about information. Its
purpose is to assist in resource discovery by
allocating precise descriptors to a document or
resource. As such, it helps to identify,
organize and consequentially assist in the
location and retrieval of digital information by
end-users. In other words, digital bibliographic
information.
All the data accessible from SSDB has
metadata associated with it. You can access the
metadata before downloading the file by right
clicking on the file name in the search results
area and choosing to view the metadata.
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What is Java?
Java is a programming
language similar to C++, Visual Basic and
others. It is different in that it was designed
to be a cross-platform programming language that
enables programmers to write a single program
that can run on Linux, Windows, Macintosh and
other platforms.
The
Official Java website is a good
resource for finding more out about java.
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What is Java Webstart?
Java Web Start is an
application-deployment technology from Sun
Microsystems which allows you to launch Java
applications by clicking a link in your Web
browser. Using it, you can download and launch
applications without any installation procedure.
If the application is not present on your
computer, Java Web Start automatically downloads
all necessary files. It caches the files on your
computer, and creates a desktop icon (Windows),
so the application is always ready to be
launched -- either from an icon on your desktop
or from the browser link.
Java Web Start is a free product, available for
Windows, Linux and Solaris. Mac OS X comes
preconfigured with Java Web Start. For more
information see the
Java Web Start home page.
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How are Webstart programs
different from Java applets?
Applets are programs
written in the Java programming language which
run inside a web browser. Web Start programs on
the other hand, are exactly like normal java
applications, the only difference being that
they can be started from a web browser. After a
web start program has been launched it is no
different than any other java program.
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Does Webstart support
Mozilla?
Yes, it does. Mozilla
works out of the box on Windows. Unfortunately,
you have to register Web Start manually as a
helper app to Mozilla on non-Windows boxes. Here
are the steps:
- From within Mozilla, select Preferences
> Navigator > Helper App
- Add the following settings
extension: jnlp
mime type: application/x-java-jnlp-file
handled by application: javaws.exe
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Last Update: May 18, 2007 |
