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Sun Java Versions and the
 

Questions?

The sliders move but I can't see the HarborCam pictures! What is the problem?

The Camera works fine but all the controls and sliders are in Japanese! What is the problem?

The Sea Tow Boston HarborCam is a "Network Camera". In effect, a computer on the Sea Tow Boston Site. In order to interactively operate the camera over the Internet a computer program called JAVA by Sun Microsystems is utilized. This program allows your computer to "talk" to the HarborCam, in the background, and have the controls and picture move.

Most computers come with Java pre installed on them. It's a very popular tool to allow all kinds of inter-activity over the Internet.

Here is the problem:

Recent Versions of Java, possibly due to Internet security concerns, have not worked well with the Canon VB-C10R Network Camera that we use. I'm sure Sun Microsystems is working on this "bug" and will find a "Fix" in a future release. In the mean time in order to properly use the HarborCam, you need an older version of Java.

What is the Fix?

The problem is: if you have a "newer" version of Java running on your computer, you will have some degree of difficulty operating the camera.

For instance, Java Runtime 6.0 Update 4, will not operate the camera at all. ... It's the latest release. You see the sliders move but you can not see the picture. If you are using Java Runtime 5.0 Update 14, you will probably be able to operate the Camera, which works fine, but the control bars and some of the text show up in Japanese. ???? If you can live with that, just go ahead and operate it this way.

I have found that you must revert to Java Runtime 1.4.2_16 for the camera to operate as intended.

 

How do you change the Java version?

Here is a link to the Sun Java archive site (Click Here) You can download older versions of Java from this web site. (I learned this from HarborCam users.) I'm not a computer expert but I have done this on several computers. If you feel comfortable with this and trust the Sun Microsystems Java site, here are the directions.

Step by Step Instructions:

  1. You must first know what Java version of the program you are currently using. To see what you are using, on your computer: click on <<Start>> button, then <<Control Panel>> then <<Add/Remove Programs>>. When the program list populates, scroll down until you see the Java program. It will tell you what version you are currently using.
  2. If you want to change: Go to the Java Archive site. Look down the list to the Java 2 Platform Standard Edition (J2SE) section, and download the J2SDK/J2RE -1.4 program file version 1.4.2_16. to a location on your computer. Probably <<My Computer>>, <<Downloads>>.
  3. Go to the location on your computer where you downloaded the file. Open the Java 1.4.2_16 program on your computer.
  4. Go again to the <<Add/Remove Programs>> on your computer (Step 1. on this list) and make sure the Java program 1.4.2_16 is now there on the program list.
  5. Next, still in the <<Add/Remove Programs>> list, Remove the newer version that did not work corectly with the HarborCam.

The archival version will now operate Java on your computer.

Enjoy the HarborCam!

BTW. You can reverse the procedure at any time and go back to a newer Java version.

 

 
 
 
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