So you want to download and use NoteMaker ? FileJoiner? HexViewer?
But you don't have Java.

Follow this guide (updated 27 October 2002) in order to get Java.

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If you don't know what Java is and how to get it and you run Microsoft Windows, you probably don't have it. So go to Get Java Technology and follow the instructions. A clear instructive guide is provided.

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What is Java?
Java is way of writing computer programs to run on many different types of computers. In order to do this the computer must have a special program called the Java Virtual Machine installed. The Java Virtual Machine comes with some operating systems (such as Mac OS X) and some web browsers. If you don't have the Java Virtual Machine, you will need to download it.

Do I already have Java?
If you have a recent Macintosh running Mac OS X, you probably already have Java support. If you have Windows, your Java support will probably need to be updated. Other operating systems such as Linux are beyond the scope of this guide - see java.sun.com for more information.

Windows users
To check if you already have Java installed, follow these steps. Type the commands that are written like this.

1. Click Start and click Run...
2. In the Run dialog box that appears, type the following:
   For Windows 95/98/Millenium (Me) - type command
   For Windows 2000/XP - type cmd
3. Click OK.
4. A command prompt window will appear. At the prompt, type java -version and press Enter.
5. A message should be printed.

If the message is "Bad command or file name" or "java is not recognized...", then Java is not installed properly.
If the message starts with "java version "1.4.0_01"" or similar, then Java is installed properly.

Mac users
If you have Mac OS X 10.2.3 or later, you can download Java support to run my programs. Simply run Software Update from the System Preferences and download Java 1.4.1. If this update is not available, you have either already installed it, or you have less than 10.2.3 and cannot run this version of Java. Mac OS X 10.3 Panther comes with Java 1.4.1 built-in. To run a Java program, simply double-click on the main .jar file.

Take important not of the number given - if the number is 1.3.1 or less, you must upgrade Java in order to run my programs. See the section on Downloading Java below. If the number is "1.4.0" or "1.4.0_01" or "1.4.1_01" or higher, your computer should be able run my programs.

Downloading and Installing Java
Unfortunately, there are so many versions of Java out there - it is constantly developing. At the time oof writing, the current supported version of Java was 1.4.1_01 and it is updated regularly. My applications currently require Java version 1.4.0 or later.

The official version of Java is maintained by Sun Microsystems at java.sun.com

To get the latest version of Java:

1. Go to http://java.sun.com/getjava/download.html
2. Try clicking Click to begin
3. If that doesn't work (instructions are provided), use the manual installation method.
4. Click download under the Manual Download heading and follow the instructions provided.
5. Once you make it through all of the web pages and have downloaded the file, run it by opening the folder you saved it in (such as My Documents) and double-click it.
6. The Setup Wizard will appear. Click Next and follow the instructions provided.
7. The installer may require you to reboot your computer, if so let it reboot.
8. Once your computer has rebooted (if necessary) you should be able to run Java software such as that provided here.
9. Test your Java installation by running java -version as explained above.

Contact me if you require more assistance.