The java-package Debian package will go through the process of installing the Sun Java. It supplies the command make-jpkg to do this.

Obtain j2sdk-1_4_2_03-linux-i586.bin (this is the J2SE kit) from http://java.sun.com. It is a 34MB file so over a modem that could be 3 hours or so!

Once available turn it into a Debian package:

$ fakeroot make-jpkg j2sdk-1_4_2_03-linux-i586.bin

You will be asked for a Maintainer name for the package (you can give your name) and an email address (again, use your own). These are just pieces of information for the packaging, and have no consequence. The debian package that is generated can then be installed:

$ wajig install sun-j2sdk1.4_1.4.2+03_i386.deb

The manual approach for this is to save the file into /usr/local/. Then

# sh j2sdk-1_4_2_03-linux-i586.bin

To accept the license type yes and the installation will begin. This will create a new directory in /usr/local/ with the name j2sdk1.4.2_03. Now create the necessary links:

# ln -s /usr/local/j2sdk1.4.2_03/bin/* /usr/local/bin

To confirm it is installed:

$ java -version

This will also provide the necessary libraries for the Java plugin for Mozilla (and hence Firefox and Epiphany).

If there's a problem it might be protections:

# chmod -R go+rX j2sdk1.4.2_03

http://www.togaware.com/linux/survivor/Mozilla_Java.shtml

Currently it is not possible to use a free Java Virtual Machine as a Mozilla plugin because most of the free JVMs do not yet support the Java AWT (Java GUIs). So the non-free alternatives from Sun, IBM, or Blackdown are required. This is unfortunate as it means that your system becomes dependent on software that you are unable to validate and view yourself, relying on very few others to provide trustworthy code.

Nonetheless, to get the Java plugin running with an installation of j2sdk1.4.2_03 (from Sun and installed as described in Section 47.1) for Mozilla 1.5, link the appropriate library to the mozilla plugin directory:

# cd /usr/lib/mozilla/plugins
# ln -s /usr/local/j2sdk1.4.2_03/jre/plugin/i386/ns610-gcc32/libjavaplugin_oji.so

Then run Mozilla and visit about:plugins to ensure the plug in is found.