Java = A programming (a slow
running derivative of C++) language also known as
"Hot Java" from Sun Microsystems that is designed for browser plug-in running of applications
called "applets." In 1997, IBM became
the world leader in Java development with its subsidiary
Taligent developer leading the
way. Java has spread like wildfire among software
developers. and can now be run from leading browsers
such as the Netsacape Navigator and Microsoft's
Internet Explorer. An especially important advantage
of Java is the ability to run applets on virtually
any operating system (Windows, Macintosh, OS/2,
etc.) or even without a GUI operating system. Plug-in
utilities are now available on most WWW browsers.
An important advantage on network computers is the
Remote Method Invocation (RMI) standard. RMI is
that part of the Java programming language library
which enables a Java program running on one computer
to access the objects and methods of another Java
program running on a different computer. Java is
extremely controversial since it allows for "centralized"
housing of software to run on inexpensive networked
computers (as opposed to decentralized installation
of software on higher-capacity desktop machines).
Many users hope to rent software (e.g., word processors)
as opposed to purchasing and installing software
on individual machines. Although it has been possible
for some time to purchase LAN versions of software
for multiple machines, Java makes it possible to
run software world wide from a single server. Traffic
jams on the Internet, however, are serious obstacles
to the future of Java. Java has put Sun Microsystems
in head-to-head combat with Microsoft's newer OLE
options for running applications on the Internet.
See "Java Takes Hold" in NewMedia, July
15, 1996, pp. 46-54. Note especially Page 54 and
Microsoft's strategy of embedding Java in Windows
in an effort to stave off the Java threat of no
longer needing the Windows operating system. Microsoft
is also attempting to thwart Java success by extending
Windows OLE capabilities. Options for creating and
playing digital audio Java applets are reviewed
in deCarmo (1996). For interactive computing
on the web, see Distributed Network Computing.See also Taligent, IDL , World Wide Web and OLE.
JavaScript = a web document scripting
language introduced by Netscape. These are codes
that allow users to go beyond what is possible in
HTML coding of web documents. You may learn more
about them by searching for the term "Java
Scripts" in my bookmarks file. A good starting
site is at Netscape's JavaScript File. You may also search
some key references such as the web site http://www2.bath.ac.uk/~ccsnad/java/jsfaq.html. A summary of JavaSript
commands can be found at http://www.javaworld.com/javaworld/jw-12-1996/jw-12-javascript.html Some good JavaScript
hints are given by Jen at http://www.frymulti.com/~jwang/jsintro.html . For interactive computing
on the web, see Distributed Network Computing.
JavaStation = a low cost hardware
unit that provides users an internet browser specifically
designed to employ Java. The first model introduced
was described in "Information Week," October
28, 1996, p. 24. JavaStation is based on the Pico-Java
technology that Sun licenses to developers for WWW-based
microcomputing. (See also Browser and Java)
Java Virtual Machine = software that allows
Java to run on different
platforms (operating systems.)
JDBC = Java Database
Connectivity standard that allows Java to
interface with databases. See Database, IDL, and Java.
Jeeves = (See Search Engine /.)
JITT = Just-In-Time
Training. In many technical and complex areas
it is not practical for employees or other persons
to be knowledgeable about all details at all times.
For example, it has become impractical for auditors
to have a working knowledge of every accounting
and auditing standard in the United States and other
nations. Physicians and other medical practitioners
cannot have instant recall of details of every disease
and combination of medical symptoms and treatments.
JITT refers to a process (that is usually aided
by computers, compact discs, computer networks,
and/or teleconferencing) in which the person receives
training "just-in-time" when it is needed
for a particular purpose. The JITT process may change
the entire process of education and training, because
the focus may become how to effectively access and
utilize JITT rather than how to teach students and/or
employees technical details that have to be memorized
long before they are needed in practice. (See also
Kiosk)
Joy stick = A remote control device
that can be used in place of a keyboard or a mouse
to allow for interactions between a computer and
its user. Joy sticks are commonly used for computer
games and usually connect through a serial port.
JPEG = Joint Photographic
Expert Group standards for image compression
that is an increasingly popular compressed graphics
image file, the extension for which is usually jpg.
Because large and high resolution graphics images
with considerable color depth require massive amounts
of storage (e.g., over 30 Mb) for each image, compression
routines that create images almost as good with
substantially fewer storage requirements are highly
desirable. Doyle (1994b) calls several options
"awesome," including the $940 Fast Electronic's
Movie Machine Pro (415-802-0772) with M-JPEG and
Avi file capturing options. Similarly, he calls
the $570 Intel Smart Video Recorder (800-538-3373)
and the $890 Micro Computer microVIDEO DC1 tv (800-249-6476)
awesome. JPEG images are generally of sufficient
quality that it is not necessary to utilize more
storage space for uncompressed files. JPEG compression
of graphics images requires no special playback
boards. When using any compression utility such
as JPEG, it pays to study the limitations. For example,
JPEG compression does not work especially well with
hard edges and lines in graphics images. Black and
white images should never be compressed into JPEG
images. Also conversions from GIF to JPEG may be disappointing
since GIF images are usually color reduced before
becoming GIF images. Also math coprocessors will
not speed up JPEG graphics since JPEG algorithms
use only integer arithmetic. JPEG can be used with
motion video cards such as the RasterOps MoviePak2
video compression daughter card for Mac computers.
(See also Video board, Compression, GIF, and MPEG)
jpg = (See JPEG)
Jukeboxes = Hardware devices for
stacking discs, especially compact discs such as
CD-ROM discs for a computer. Two hardware options
for moving from one active CD to another are called
jukeboxes and arrays. Jukeboxes typically take up
only one SCSI device spot but they can be slow to
access while the robot finds, extracts, moves, and
inserts each disc. Arrays are linked CD devices
that are both faster and cheaper than jukeboxes.
See Glatzer (1994) for a discussion of
details and comparisons of alternatives.