billyellis
Posts: 154 +1
Hi. (I searched for "java" and did not find many threads specifically discussing it.)
I updated Java yesterday and was extremely irritated to have (a) startup entries re-activated after I had disabled them previously, and (b) an updated FF plugin for Java but the previous plugin was not removed and is still there, so I assume there could be conflicts?
Anyway, I guess I'm just pissed off that this software is "pulling a Quicktime" from 10 years ago, i.e., completely ignoring my current settings during the update process and resetting all the options to what the software maker wants them to be, rather than respecting my settings.
So I am curious - how important is Java, and would the world end if I uninstalled it completely? From what I have read, it helps display applets on websites mostly, and who needs that really? I'm not a 'gamer,' so I don't need it for that either. I've also read that it is a major security risk, and I update it because I have been told I need to do so regularly to prevent infections.
So if this software is (a) a big backdoor into my system that can be exploited, (b) a resource hog that slows everything down when running, and (c) is mostly designed to make web sites do things I really don't want them to do anyway, is it really a critical software to use?? I understand that websites that I like, like sports scoreboards that update automatically, may not work. But I'm starting to wonder whether that extra functionality is really worth the risk/hassle.
Does Java provide any functionality that is critical to system function or security, or is it merely a bell/whistle that 'enhances' browsing? If it is the latter, then I might try disabling it completely for a while to see whether I notice much difference. BUT, if disabling it opens a backdoor security-wise, I definitely don't want to do that. So I await the advice of wiser people than myself...
I'm leery of any software that overwrites user settings, and I wonder if a mass "disable-Java" campaign starting on sites like TS might be a way to get their attention? If enough people disabled it, web sites would have to start using alternatives or risk losing traffic, which would in turn force the Java people to improve their product and stop overriding user settings.
Thanks for your advice/opinion.
I updated Java yesterday and was extremely irritated to have (a) startup entries re-activated after I had disabled them previously, and (b) an updated FF plugin for Java but the previous plugin was not removed and is still there, so I assume there could be conflicts?
Anyway, I guess I'm just pissed off that this software is "pulling a Quicktime" from 10 years ago, i.e., completely ignoring my current settings during the update process and resetting all the options to what the software maker wants them to be, rather than respecting my settings.
So I am curious - how important is Java, and would the world end if I uninstalled it completely? From what I have read, it helps display applets on websites mostly, and who needs that really? I'm not a 'gamer,' so I don't need it for that either. I've also read that it is a major security risk, and I update it because I have been told I need to do so regularly to prevent infections.
So if this software is (a) a big backdoor into my system that can be exploited, (b) a resource hog that slows everything down when running, and (c) is mostly designed to make web sites do things I really don't want them to do anyway, is it really a critical software to use?? I understand that websites that I like, like sports scoreboards that update automatically, may not work. But I'm starting to wonder whether that extra functionality is really worth the risk/hassle.
Does Java provide any functionality that is critical to system function or security, or is it merely a bell/whistle that 'enhances' browsing? If it is the latter, then I might try disabling it completely for a while to see whether I notice much difference. BUT, if disabling it opens a backdoor security-wise, I definitely don't want to do that. So I await the advice of wiser people than myself...
I'm leery of any software that overwrites user settings, and I wonder if a mass "disable-Java" campaign starting on sites like TS might be a way to get their attention? If enough people disabled it, web sites would have to start using alternatives or risk losing traffic, which would in turn force the Java people to improve their product and stop overriding user settings.
Thanks for your advice/opinion.