Hi folks, interesting responses so far. I'd like to respond to a
few points in general that I've seen.
* Buy a backup drive for making images of your current config -
This is a novel approach, but honestly the first thought that pops
up in my head is "Lemme get this straight, I need to go out and buy
a mirroring drive to run a JDK? a J-D-K ? You're kidding right?"
For purposes of general machine backup, fine, that makes perfect
sense. Even for testing new versions of Mac OS, fine. But a JDK?
wha? I can accept that a quick trip under the firehose makes my
powerbook a "sad mac" and in need of backup, but if i wanna try a
DP release of the JDK?
Think of it as buyng a spare hard drive to test a system update.
Java is used by parts of the OS, and only qualified where they choose
to qualify it. That does not mean that it will fail under other OS
releases, but it does mean that they have done no testing, and that
they have not come up with an official approved reverter, so you are
on your own if things Get Wierd. Linux and Windows do not have this
problem, because neither OS uses Java for squat in the default
install. The OS will not die or behave badly if the JDK changes.
Problems are more likely to occur if an update changes things
outside /System/Library/Frameworks/JavaVM.Framework. Say, for
example, that an update changes JarLauncher. If you try to revert,
you may have a newer version of JarLauncher than of the JDK, and if
they are incompatible, then Safari behaves badly.
I am having a problem now with Eclipse, Subclipse, and recent Java
versions. I have no idea yet whether this is the JDK build, Eclipse,
Subclipse, or the library installed by subversion. Hopefully, I will
have a chance to track it down this week. Testing against a default
install is a very good way to start on that process.
Of course, Apple could allow for multiple versions of JarLauncher, or
qualify multiple versions of the JDK, or provide a reversioner. They
would have to see a substantial benefit. Try lobbying your local
regional sales rep if you think this would sell more machines, but
remember that selling machines to developers is not a huge amount of
cash. Selling to end users is, so phrase the benefits in terms of
that market.
Scott
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