Q: What is Java?

Answer: Java is simply a programming language. Java is mostly used by programmers for developing Internet-based applications but is becoming widely used for a variety of interesting non-internet applications. Java "applets" are little programs that can be embedded into your Web pages in a similar way that you embed images and sounds. They can be used by web designers to add functionality to a Web page that goes beyond standard HTML and graphics. Java Applets are small and fast to download. Java applets are the components that make up the PageCharmer Pro and PageCharmer products.

Q: What are Java Applets?

Answer: Java "applets" are little programs that can be embedded into your Web pages in a similar way that you embed images and sounds. They can be used by web designers to add functionality to a Web page that goes beyond standard HTML and graphics. Java Applets are small and fast to download. Java applets are the components that make up the PageCharmer Pro and PageCharmer products.

Q: What is JavaScript?

Answer: The first thing to point out here is what JavaScript is not--JavaScript is not Java! JavaScript is often confused with Java Applets, but the two are very different. The main difference is that JavaScript is a scripting language, while Java Applets are written in a true programming language. The many problems associated with JavaScript (compatibility between Netscape and Microsoft browsers, general bugginess leading to computer crashes, etc.) are often associated with Java because "Java" is included in the name for JavaScript. The confusion should end here--JavaScript has absolutely nothing to do with Java applets.

Q: What are Plug-Ins?

Answer: Plug-ins are software application that add a specific feature to a larger application. Plug-ins are software and hardware specific in that they are written specifically for one type of computer and one type of application. For example, there are number of plug-ins for the Netscape Navigator browser that do not work in Microsoft's Internet Explorer. In fact a Macintosh Netscape Navigator browser plug-in would not run on a computer running the Windows operation system. Plug-ins do not run and load automatically like Java applets. Plug-ins must be installed on your computer's storage device (hard disk), and your browser application must be restarted before the plug-in will run for the first time.

Q: How large are the PageCharmer Pro and PageCharmer Java applets?

Answer: PageCharmer Pro and PageCharmer .class files (the name used for Java applet files) range from 5 to 19 KB. A typical PageCharmer Pro animated .class file might be 15 KB vs. 4-5 Megabytes for a Director/Shockwave player file.

View PageCharmer specs for applet sizes and download times.

Q: How easy is PageCharmer Pro and PageCharmer to use?

Answer: PageCharmer Pro and PageCharmer are the easiest Java authoring tool on the market, it is designed for beginners and professional Web designers alike. Unlike other Internet tools there's no HTML coding, plug-ins, programming, or scripting is required. You create the applets right in your browser.

Q: Do PageCharmer Pro and PageCharmer create HTML pages?

Answer: No. PageCharmer Pro and PageCharmer automatically creates HTML tags that you insert in your HTML pages. The "param" tags as they are called then feed the PageCharmer Pro and PageCharmer Java applets the parameters necessary to make them do what they are supposed to do. First you use an editing/authoring application to create your Web site, then use PageCharmer Pro and PageCharmer to add a higher level of interactivity (multimedia buttons, ticker, marquees, smart image maps and display billboards) to your site.

Q: Does PageCharmer Pro and PageCharmer compete with FrontPage or PageMill?

Answer: No. Microsoft FrontPage, Adobe PageMill, and other such products are authoring tools for the initial creating of your Web pages -- designed to save you from HTML programming. PageCharmer Pro and PageCharmer are complementary to these tools -- saving you from the complexities of Java programming.

Q: What platforms do PageCharmer Pro and PageCharmer run on?

Answer: Any platform (Windows 95, Macintosh, and Unix), Netscape Navigator 3.0 or later, Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 or later.

Q: Are Java applets secure?

Answer: Yes. Java applets cannot read from, or write to your computer's storage devices (hard disk, floppy disks, etc.). And, Java applets are not installed or saved on your computer's storage devices. They are only downloaded and run in your computer's RAM when they are needed -- they delete themselves when they are done. There is a great deal written on this subject, but the short answer is that Java is more secure than any other method of achieving the same result. If you really want to read all the reasons why this is so, and find out all the nitty-gritty details, you can find much better reading on Sun Microsystems' Web site.