Commercial Web sites make frequent use of Java and other similar
technologies to give visitors access to a wide variety of functions
online, such as stock tickers, shopping carts, and other enablers of
e-commerce. However, because of a legal dispute between Microsoft and
Sun Microsystems, some users may now encounter problems when trying to
access a Web site with one of these applets.
The problem revolves around the presence of the Microsoft's version of
the Java Virtual Machine (VM) in Microsoft operating systems. In the
past, Microsoft VM was included with Windows, which allowed users to
visit a Web site with interactive, Java-based features. The VM is not
included in Windows XP, Microsoft's latest version of the operating
system. If a user running XP attempts to download a Web page that
contains a Java applet, they will see a message that says, "to display
the page correctly, you need to download and install the following
components: Java virtual machine". Normally, the "install on demand"
feature would let users download the VM in order to view the site.
However, due to the legal dispute, Microsoft is no longer distributing
the VM online. The result could be that a small percentage of
individuals would not be able to view a particular Web page.
"Several situations exist whereby you may not realize there is a problem
with your Web site, because a given page or function appears to work
fine on your own computer," said Philip Sheldon, Managing Director at
Business2www, a global provider of automated Web site testing solutions.
"However, a small but significant percentage of your visitors may
encounter a problem when they try to access the same URL. This is one of
those situations, and this is why a comprehensive audit of your Web site
has become an essential component of making sure your Web site is
functioning properly for everybody."
In this particular case, according to Sheldon, the majority of users
would not encounter a problem, because they already have the Virtual
Machine on their computer from a previous installation of Windows. Those
running new computers that have only run XP, however, will encounter
difficulties in accessing Java-enabled Web pages. "We're not advocating
that you eliminate all Java applets from your site," added Sheldon. "But
if there are some of your visitors that cannot access them, then that is
definitely something you want to be aware of, so you can at least offer
those few users an alternative of some sort."
Business2www's SiteMorse service delivers a comprehensive audit of even
the most complex sites, automatically simulating every possible move a
user can make on each and every page of your site. Many of a Web site's
flaws are relatively simple to address, but often difficult to spot.
SiteMorse delivers a detailed report of every flaw and problem contained
on the site.
