Several years ago, Java was introduced. It was slow. Now, computers have beefed up, the internet is a lot faster, and Java is a serious language. It can lower costs, and REALLY get people talking about your website! I'll cover:
1) WHAT is Java, and how can it help me? 2) WHY Java NOW? 3) WHY is Java the next BIG THING? 4) CONCLUSIONS
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1) WHAT is Java, and how can it help me?
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Java is basically a programming language that can be integrated into browsers, and add spice to a website. One beautiful thing is its 'reusability', and 'ease of use'.
For example -- I will use the classic 'Lake' example, where you have a picture of a mountain on top of a lake, and the water ripples.
Before Java, you needed expensive graphics software and several hours to make it ripple. Using a Java applet, all you have to do is include something like:
<applet code=Lake.class> <param name="image" value="lake.jpg" </applet>
in your webpage, and now you now have a picture of a lake that ripples! To change the image, simply change the name of the file (the "lake.jpg")!
So -- Java makes it VERY easy to add and change functionality in your website.
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2) WHY Java NOW?
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About five years ago, Java was introduced, and ran it really slowly. The main browsers (Netscape & Internet Explorer) that supported Java were 'brand' new. And, the computers they ran on were slow. If you had a 'top of the line computer', it meant you had a Pentium-133 machine (and friends were usually jealous that you could afford such a 'fine' piece of hardware). Most people were just learning what E-Mail was.
All that has changed.
Microsoft & Netscape have re-written their browsers' JVM (java virtual machine), and optimized it to make Java lightning fast.
Pentium-III 550 MHz machines cost less than the Pentium-133 models did. Plus, they are more than three times faster, because of faster graphics accelerator cards, increased RAM and so forth. And most people have one of these newer machines, because of the low cost (or special 'package' deals that ISP's made with computer makers for 'free' or 'low cost' computers)
So, now Java is fast, and can be easily used, with low development costs.
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3) WHY is Java the next BIG THING?
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A) NO PLUGINS ARE REQUIRED! Most internet users find it EXCEPTIONALLY annoying to have to wait 3 or 4 minutes to download a special plug-in to hear audio, another special plug-in to see 3D images, and so forth. JAVA DOES NOT REQUIRE PLUGINS! Practically 99% of all internet browsers ALREADY SUPPORT JDK 1.0.2, (which is the 'main' version of Java in use today).
B) SPEED Complex mathematical calculations (for 2D & 3D games, visual special fx, data processing, etc) are fast because of fast computers and optimized browsers.
C) RE-USABILITY! Say you bought a program that simply did special transition FX. You decide to use for banner advertisements, and it works as follows:
<applet code=SpecialFX_Transition_Program.class> <param name="image1" value="banner_1.jpg"> <param name="image2" value="banner_2.jpg"> <param name="special_effect" value="Pixel Wipe"> <param name="special_effect" value="Star Burst"> </applet>
So, YOU SAVE TIME AND MONEY, because all your development team has to do is spend five minutes deciding which banner advertisements to use. Now, say you have a big corporate presentation to make. YOU CAN RE-USE THAT PROGRAM! Simply replace each image with the corporate slide image! For example,
<applet code=SpecialFX_Transition_Program.class> <param name="image1" value="corporate_presentation_slide_1.jpg"> <param name="image1" value="corporate_presentation_slide_2.jpg"> <param name="special_effect" value="Pixel Wipe"> <param name="special_effect" value="Star Burst"> </applet>
And that is IT!
D) INCREDIBLY SMALL APPLET SIZE! Most 'sophisticated' applets are less than 50K. Popular and useful tools such as Macromedia Flash create animations that are usually at least 100K for simple ones, and upwards of 500K for high profile/professional sites. So think about it -- if a individual has no problem waiting for a 500K for a Macromedia Flash animation, they are certainly not going to have a problem with a small, 50K Java applet. Most Java applets are even smaller than this!
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4) CONCLUSIONS
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1) You customers are happy (NO PLUGINS required!) 2) Runs FAST! 3) YOU save time & money, because of RE-USABILITY! 4) Customers will talk about how 'GREAT' your site it is, because of all amazing functionality!
So, where do you want to use Java today?
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