Java Technology Home Page
A-Z Index

Java Developer Connection(SM)
FAQs

Downloads, APIs, Documentation
Java Developer Connection
Tutorials, Tech Articles, Training
Online Support
Community Discussion
News & Events from Everywhere
Products from Everywhere
How Java Technology is Used Worldwide
Print Button
 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

To help you find the information you want about the Java Developer ConnectionSM (JDC), questions and answers are categorized as follows.

JDC Membership, Registration, and Login
Subscribe/Unsubscribe to the JDC Mailing List
Cookies
JavaTM Technology
Bug Database
Site Problems
Community Discussion Forums


JDC Membership, Registration, and Login

What is JDC membership?
How do I join the JDC?
Why do I need to register to become a member?
Can I still log in to the JDC using a bookmark?
How do I enable Automatic Login?
How do I update my account information?
I've forgotten my User ID or my password. How do I get this information?
I'm having trouble logging in to the JDC, what should I do?
How do I test if my browser is enabled for cookies?
What if I don't want to accept cookies?

What is JDC membership?

JDC membership gives you access to certain areas that are restricted to members only. As a JDC member, you can:

  • Download Early Access releases of software and documentation
  • Search the bug database
  • Participate in Community Discussion Forums
  • Receive discounts on training classes from Sun Educational Service

    Membership also entitles you to a subscription (if you choose) to the JDC Newsletter, JDC Tech Tips, and occasional JDC Bulletins, to help you keep abreast of what's happening in the industry.

    How do I join the JDC?

    To join the JDC and register as a JDC member, click on the "Register, it's free!" link near the top of the JDC Home Page. You will be asked to choose a user ID and a password. As soon as you complete and submit the registration form, you will be registered as a JDC member.

    Why do I need to register to become a member?

    There is no membership fee for the JDC. However, the JDC does require that users who want access to this restricted information provide some basic information about themselves. The restricted areas of the JDC include the Bug Database, Early Access downloads, and Community Discussions (such as Office Hours and Java Live). Restricted areas are marked with a special graphic: .

    When you register, you set up your own User ID and password. Each time you log into a restricted areas, you will be asked for your User ID and password. Or, if you are using a secure machine, you can use the automatic-login function.

    When you participate in forum discussions, your User ID will be your identifier. The information you provide might be used by Sun MicrosystemsTM for statistical purposes only, but not for any other purposes.

    Can I still log in to the JDC using a bookmark?

    If you've bookmarked a JDC restricted access page and if you have Automatic Login enabled, you can log in using your bookmark.

    How do I enable Automatic Login?

    Click on the Change Automatic Login at the top of the JDC Home Page.

    How do I update my account information?

    You can change your account information by clicking the Update your account link near the top of the JDC Home Page. This takes you to the JDC Registration page, where you can change your account information.

    I've forgotten my User ID or my password. How do I get this information?

    If you've forgotten your User ID, then send email to the JDC Webmaster with your full email address.

    If you know your User ID, click here to retrieve your password.

    If you do not know your e-mail address please send an e-mail to jdc-webmaster@java.sun.com. List all of the possible e-mail addresses you might have used when you registered.

    I'm having trouble logging in to the JDC, what should I do?

    First, clear your cache.

    Netscape users please follow these steps - Select Edit - Preferences - Advanced - Cache - Clear Disk Cache, Clear Memory Cache and click OK. Next, make sure your browser is enabled for cookies. To access the JDC you need to have cookies enabled. All browsers are configured a little differently, so check your browser's menu options for enabling cookies and follow your browser's procedures.

    NOTE: See "Cookies" for more information about cookies and why the JDC uses them.

    How do I test if my browser is enabled for cookies?

    1 - Go to the URL http://developer.java.sun.com/

    2 - Clear the location bar and enter javascript:alert(document.cookie)

    What if I don't want to accept cookies?

    Right now, the JDC has no alternative authentication method for those of you who prefer not to accept browser cookies. Currently, the technology is such that if you do not accept the cookie, you will not be able to use the restricted areas.


    Subscribe/Unsubscribe

    How do I subscribe to the JDC Newsletter and JDC Tech Tips?
    I'd like my name to be removed from the JDC mailing list. How do I make that happen?

    How do I subscribe to the JDC Newsletter and JDC Tech Tips?

    If you're a JDC member, you can subscribe to one or more JDC newsletters, such as the JDC Newsletter, JDC Tech Tips, or JDC Bulletin. To subscribe, select the "Subscribe to free JDC newsletters" link on the JDC front page, or click the Subscribe button. This displays a Subscriptions page, where you select specific newsletters for subscription.

    I'd like my name to be removed from the JDC mailing list. How do I make that happen?

    Go to the Subscriptions page and unselect all currently selected newsletters.


    Cookies

    What are cookies and why does the JDC use them?
    What do cookies have to do with logging in to the JDC?
    What does the JDC do with cookies?
    What if I don't want to accept a cookie?

    What are cookies and why does the JDC use them?

    A "cookie" is a small string of text that contains your JDC user name, a session ID, and other information related to accessing the site. There are two types of cookies: a session cookie, and an automatic-login cookie.

    When you log into the JDC, your browser will be asked to save a cookie. JDC uses the cookie to authenticate membership. Only individuals with a valid cookie in their browser can access restricted sites on the JDC.

    If you try to enter a restricted area and you don't have a cookie, you will be sent to the Login page. The cookie contains a session ID number, but not your User ID or password, so no one else can examine your cookie and log into the JDC as you. The session cookie is temporary and disappears when your session ends.

    If you enable Automatic Login, the browser saves the automatic-login cookie to your system, so you can reenter JDC restricted areas from that system as long as that cookie exists. If you disable Automatic Login, that cookie also disappears.

    What do cookies have to do with logging in to the JDC?

    To access the JDC you need to have cookies enabled. All browsers are configured a little differently, so check your browser's menu options for enabling cookies and follow your browser's procedures.

    You also need to be sure your HTTP Proxy and firewall configuration is not removing cookie information.

    NOTE: If you are running any "cookie cutter" software, be sure it does not remove the JDC cookies. If it removes your session cookie, your session will terminate. If it removes your bookmark cookie, the bookmark will no longer work.

    What does the JDC do with cookies?

    JDC uses cookies for logging generic access data about which pages get the most traffic. Typical web site logs, without cookie information, can tell you, for instance, that a specific page was visited 100 times, but a site administrator has only imprecise ways of telling if those 100 visits were from one person requesting the page 100 times, or 100 people asking for the page once each. Since login is no longer required for most of the JDC, these statistics will now only be gathered from the restricted membership pages. From the cookie information logged, the JDC can tell how many people visit a page.

    The purpose of collecting this data is only to verify that the person logging in is entitled to do so. The cookies are not used to explore usage patterns of individuals, nor will they ever be without your explicit consent. Your cookie data will not be sold or otherwise redistributed.

    The intent is to create web-based tools and applications that help our audience participate in the larger "community" of Java programming language developers. The cookie information may be used, with your explicit permission, as a means of fostering the Java community, for example, to enable members to see who else is looking at a particular area of the site; to exchange "business card" information; or to participate in discussions or other types of interaction with like-minded members.

    What if I don't want to accept a cookie?

    Right now, the JDC has no alternative authentication method for those of you who prefer not to accept browser cookies. Currently, the technology is such that if you do not accept the cookie, you will not be able to use the restricted areas.


    Java Technology

    How do I get started with Java technology?
    How do I become certified as a Java programming language developer?
    How do I get answers to my Java code questions?
    Where can I get product information?
    Where do I send feedback or questions?
    Can I get copies of the JDC applet source code?

    How do I get started with Java technology?

    For beginners, there's a starter kit that can help you quickly learn how to write applets and applications. To access the starter kit, click here.

    How do I become certified as a Java programming language developer?

    For information regarding the Java Developer Certification program, click here.

    How do I get answers to my code questions about the Java programming language?

    There are several ways to get answers to your questions about Java programming code:

    Where can I get product information?

    Information on specific products and APIs can be found on the Products and APIs page.

    Where do I send product feedback or questions?

    To provide feedback or ask questions regarding specific products or APIs, please use the aliases listed on the Product and API Feedback page.

    Can I get copies of the JDC applet source code?

    Currently the JDC does not provide the source code for its applets. However, as we publish more technical articles about the inner workings of the JDC, we will continue to include excerpts from our source code.


    Bug Database

    If I find a new bug, how do I report it?
    I filed a bug report; why can't I find a bug that I submitted in the Bug Database?
    I have a known bug ID; why can't I find the bug when I search the database?

    If I find a new bug, how do I report it?

    To file a bug, go to the Report a Bug or Request a Feature page.

    Why can't I find certain bugs in the Bug Database?

    • Many bug requests are recieved, and each of them has to be screened and reviewed before it can be included in the Bug Database. Not all bugs submitted do end up in the database.
    • Some bugs don't show up in the database for some time because of delays in processing.
    • Some bugs are not included in the Bug Database for security reasons.
    • In the process of verifying and entering your bug report into the Bug Database, some words or phrases may have been changed to more accurately describe the problem.

    I filed a bug report; why can't I find a bug that I submitted in the Bug Database?

    Some bugs are not included in the Bug Database for security reasons.


    Site Problems

    Why are the applets not working for me?
    How do I report a broken link?

    Why are the applets not working for me?

    This usually depends on whether or not you are behind a firewall. If you are behind a firewall, contact your system administrator to configure your DNS setup to enable applets to get through your firewall.

    How do I report a broken link?

    Send email to the JDC webmaster with the link and the URL of the page where the link is located.


    Community Discussion Forums

    What are Community Discussion Forums?
    How do I locate the forums?
    How can I tell if I am logged in?
    How do I read the message board?
    How do I read and watch for messages?
    How do I watch for messages by a particular author?
    How do I view author profiles?
    How do I view and maintain my profile?
    How do I reply to a message?
    How do I post to a topic?
    How do I start a discussion?
    Can I cross-post to different message boards??
    How do I view new topics/messages?
    Can I remove a message I have posted?
    If I post a message, will I receive unwanted messages (spam)?
    How do I use the forum search engine?
    What are Duke Dollars?

    What are Community Discussion Forums?

    Community Discussion Forums (forums) are an interactive area on the JDC where the Java developer community can share knowledge by posting messages to a message board. Messages on the message board are organized by technology area, cover all aspects of Java development, and include JDC member thoughts, opinions, questions, answers, and technical tips. In short, each technology area on the message board provides a forum for lively discussion in any and all areas of interest to developers.

    How do I locate the forums?

    Go to the Forums page and choose a technology area that interests you from the shortcut selector near the top or the Choose By Category listing in the body of the page, or use the forums search engine on the right. These locator features help you find messages and message topics pertaining to your technology area of interest.

    You can read through the topics and messages all you want, but to post or reply to a message, you have to be a registered JDC member and logged in.

    How can I tell if I am logged in?

    The top-left corner of the forums pages display a welcome message with your name if you are logged in. If you are not logged in, you see a login prompt instead. If you are not logged in and attempt to post or reply to a message, you are prompted to log in. You have to be a registered JDC member to have a login user name and password.

    How do I read the message board?

    Each technology area has a message board that lists message topics for that area. You can reach the message board for a particular topic by using the shortcut selector or Choose By Category locators on the Forums page. The header bar at the top of the message board provides information and functionality to help you navigate the topic and message information on the board. Message topics are presented below the header bar in a columnar format with the newest message topics at the top.

    Header Bar: The message board is divided into four areas that you can access with the following tabs at the top of the header bar: Info, Members, Messages, and My Watches.

    Message board header bar

    The information and functionality available in the header bar changes a little depending on which tab is active, but in general it does the following:

    • Displays the name of the technology area.
    • Shows the number of topics in the message board list.
    • Shows how many have participated in this discussion since it was first created.
    • Lets you send an email to invite a friend to this message board.
    • Lets you start a new topic on this message board.
    • Notifies you when this message board is updated.
    • Displays confirmation and informational messages in response to actions you might take while using the message board such as posting or replying to a message.

    Messages tab: When the Messages tab is active, the topics list is visible. Use the Right and Left arrow keys to navigate the list, which can span a number of pages. The pull-down menu lets you change the increment in which you move through the topics on the message board. Click the left arrow to view more recent topics, and the right arrow to view older topics.

    Each topic entry shows the name of the topic, the date the topic was last updated with a message, the number of replies, and the author who started the discussion. Click on a discussion topic to view all the messages for that topic. The following icons appear at the right of each topic:
    Read all messages You have already read all the messages in this topic. There is nothing new.
    Some new messages This is an old topic, but it has some new messages.
    New topic This is a completely new topic and you have not read any of its messages yet.

    Info tab: When the Info tab is active, the header bar does not let you start a new topic, and the body of the page welcomes and introduces you to the message board.

    Members tab: When the Members tab is active, the header bar does not let you start a new topic, and the body of the page presents a list of discussion forum member IDs. Click on an ID to get more information about that member. If you have elected to watch all posts by an individual author, the watch (!) icon appears next to that member's name.

    My Watch tab: When the My Watches tab is active the header bar does not let you start a new topic, and you see a list of topics you are watching. Whenever you post or reply to a message, the topic for that message is added to this list. You can add other topics to this list by clicking the topic link (with the Messages tab active) and selecting the (!) Watch Topic icon in the message header. When any topic in this list receives updates, a star appears on the My Watches tab. If you elect to watch all posts by an individual author, all messages posted by that aurthor since activating the author watch appear in this list.

    How do I read and watch for messages?

    After you choose a topic from the message board, you get a page with all the messages for that topic. The header bar displays the topic, the number of messages for the topic, and shows the most recent message. If you click on the author's name and the Watch Author icon, you can watch all messages posted by the author or send the author an email.

    The header bar has a Back to List of Topics button so you can navigate back to the message board, and three button on the right that let you Watch Topic, Ignore Topic, and Invite a Friend to this topic. Below the message page header at the bottom of the page are right and left arrows that let you navigate to the topics preceding (left arrow) and following (right arrow) the current topic.

    Message header bar

    Ignore Topic: Selecting the Ignore Topic icon makes the topic invisible to the meassage board list.

    Watch Topic: Selecting the (!) Watch Topic icon adds this topic to your My Watches list. If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to log in. Because all topics you start or reply to are added to the My Watches list, you would only use this icon to add this topic if you did not start or reply to it. You can view the My Watches list by selecting the My Watches tab on the message board for this topic. When this topic receives new messages, a star appears on the My Watches tab.

    Stop Watching Topic: After a topic is added to the My Watches list, the Watch Topic icon in the header bar changes to a Stop Watching Topic icon. Click the Stop Watching Topic icon to remove this topic from your watch list.

    Message board header bar

    Invite a Friend: Selecting the Invite a Friend icon lets you send an email to invite a friend to participate in this topic discussion.

    Email Me Updates: Checking the Email Me Updates box authorizes the forums program to send you email when messages within this topic are updated. You must be logged into the forums to see this option.

    How do I watch for messages by a particular author?

    Click on the message topic of an author you would like to watch, select the author link at the left of the message header, and select the Watch Author icon. The watch (!) icon appears next to the author's name in the Members tab, and all messages posted since activating the author watch appear under the My Watches tab.

    How do I view author profiles?

    You can view the profile for any author who has posted to the Community Discussion Forums and allows his or her profile to be viewed. To do this, click on the author's name anywhere you see see it in the forums as a link. The author's profile page appears with the author's profile information.

    How do I view and edit my profile?

    To view your profile, click on your name anywhere you see it in the forums as a link. Your profile page appears with your profile information. To edit these settings, select the Edit Settings icon, and fill in or change your author information as you wish. If you do not want others to view your profile, uncheck the Show my profile box on this page.

    How do I reply to a message?

    Every message has a Reply to this message link at the top below the author's name. Click this link and reply to the message. If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to log in when you select the Post Message Now button.

    You can include the original message, which appears as a Quoted Message link in the body of your reply. When you finish composing your message, click the Post Message Now button to add your message to the discussion.

    How do I post to a topic?

    To post a message to a topic, select the topic and scroll to the bottom of the message page. If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to log in when you select the Post Message Now button.

    You can include the most recent message by clicking the Include Original Message button, and that message appears as a Quoted Message link in the body of your post. When you finish composing your message, click the Post Message Now button to add your message to the discussion.

    How do I start a discussion?

    You start a new discussion by starting a new topic. To start a new topic, choose the appropriate technology area by using the locators on the Forums page to bring up the message board for that technology area. Make sure the Messages tab is selected for that message board, click the Start a New Topic icon in the header bar, and compose the first message for the new topic by filling in the subject and message body in the appropriate fields. Click the Post Message Now button to post the first message for the new topic. If your post is successful, you get a confirmation message in the topic header bar. Click Continue Reading to return to the message board for your topic.

    Can I cross-post to different message boards?

    You can now participate in popular Java-related usenet groups through the JDC forums. The usenet groups are listed at the bottom-right of the Forums page.

    How do I view new topics/messages?

    When you or someone else starts a new topic, the new topic/message is not visible on the message board right away. It should appear after a few minutes, but if it does not you can click the Reload button on your browser. If you might see a blinking notice on the header bar alerting you to new messages, click it to update the message board with new topics.

    Can I remove a message I have posted?

    You cannot remove a message once it has been posted. When you post a message it is sent to JDC and Usenet servers around the world. Once it is sent to those servers, it cannot be deleted.

    If I post a message, will I receive unwanted messages (spam)?

    You should not receive unwanted messages (spam) because your email address is spam shielded. Spam shielding prevents robots looking for user information from pinging the forums and grabbing your email address.

    Whenever you reply to a message, you see a notice in the By: field after your user ID indicating that your identity is spam shielded.

    How do I use the forums search engine?

    Forums search There are two forum search engines: one on the forums page and one for each message board.

    Forums page search: The search engine on the Forums page shown at left lets you locate messages within one or more technology areas using one or more optional key words. By default, the forums search engine searches all messages in all technology areas.

    • Click on as many technology areas as you want
    • Enter one or more optional keywords to filter the messages
    • Click Search

    You get a list of messages within the specified technology areas that contain the keywords you enter. If you supply no keywords, all messages within the specified technology areas are returned.

    Message board search: Every message board has a search engine for locating messages within that message board. Enter one or more optional kewords to refine the search to only those messages that contain the keyword(s). If you supply no keywords, all messages within that message board are returned.

    Search results are displayed with the most recent message first. The returned page lets you sort the messages, do an Advanced Search, and provides online help.

    What are Duke Dollars?

    Duke Dollars are the medium of exchange for an awards program within the JDC Community Discussion Forums. If you create a new topic on one of the message boards, you can award anywhere from 1 to 5 Duke Dollars for what you consider to be the best reply.

    You can award only one reply per topic you start, and you cannot award yourself. Every month the person who earns the most Duke Dollars receives a small prize from the JDC staff.


  • Print Button
    [ This page was updated: 21-Sep-2000 ]
    Products & APIs | Developer Connection | Docs & Training | Online Support
    Community Discussion | Industry News | Solutions Marketplace | Case Studies
    Glossary | Feedback | A-Z Index
    For more information on Java technology
    and other software from Sun Microsystems, call:
    (800) 786-7638
    Outside the U.S. and Canada, dial your country's AT&T Direct Access Number first.
    Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Copyright © 1995-2000 Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use. Privacy Policy.