Browser Compatibility

Physlets  require a Java enabled browser that supports JavaScript to applet communication.  Unfortunately, few browsers support both this communication and the Java 1.1 virtual machine.  At present, only IE4.01 on Windows 95/NT supports scripting of our Java 1.1 Physlets.  Netscape Communicator 4.04 for Windows 95/NT can be patched.  We recommend version 4.04 since Communicator 4.05 (which must also be patched) is too aggressive in pruning Java class files and will only allow one Physlet to be run without producing a "class not found" error.

We do not know of any browser for the Macintosh that allows scripts to communicate with Java 1.1 applets.  Physlets have been tested and run in interactive mode on the Macintosh using the Apple Java VM using the Macintosh version of IE.   Netscape Communicator is currently not available with a Java 1.1 support for the Macintosh.   Physlets written in Java 1.0 will run on the Mactintosh version of Netscape Communicator.  Sun seems to have slowed its Macintosh development.

Current Java 1.1 Browser Incompatibilities.

At present, Java 1.1 support by some browsers/platform combinations is problematic.   This is similar to 1997 when Java 1.0 was not  fully supported.  Please view Physlets using Window 95/NT with Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01.  Other combinations may provide limited functionality.

• Apple Macintosh with Internet Explorer:  The applet will run in interactive mode but JavaScript to Java communication does not function.  Both Apple and Microsoft Java Virtual Machines are available.  We have found the Applet VM to be the most stable.
• Apple Macintosh with Netscape Communicator:  Only Java 1.0 applets are supported.   Java 1.1 compatibility has been promised in Communicator version 5.0
• Windows 95/NT with Communicator 4.04:  Only Java 1.0 applets are supported.   Note that the Netscape documentation is misleading, only limited Java 1.1 functionality is included in the shipping version.  A Java 1.1 patch is available from the Netscape developer site.  This patch works reasonable well and all Physlets will run.
• Windows 95/NT with Communicator 4.05:  Only Java 1.0 applets are supported.   Note that the Netscape documentation is misleading, only limited Java 1.1 functionality is included in the shipping version.  A Java 1.1  beta version is available from the Netscape developer site.  The beta version, 5/22/98,  is unstable.  It seems to run the first applet properly but will not run if another page is loaded with a different Physlet.
• Windows 95/NT with Sun HotSpot browser:  JavaScript to Java communication is not supported.  Physlets will, however, run in interactive mode.