Do I need Java on my computer?

[scottmandue]

Kinda figured I needed it (Java) to watch some video or some such nonsense.

Now seems like every other time I turn on my computer I need a "Java update"

The paranoid in me thinks these updates are uploading nanobots into my computer that are going to sneak out at night and steal my cheese.

What thing ye ol wise ones?

[gacook]

Java is a force of good (if you like videos).

[gacook]

You don't HAVE to do the updates (I usually don't...) unless you try to load an application that requires a specific version of Java.

[Zeke]

The 'updates' are mostly a scan to see if you became a part of their problem awhile back. I think there was one legitimate fix.

[masraum]

Java it's every where

You only need it if you want to surf the web

I mostly blow off the java updates only doing them from time to time

[Joe Bob]

More on updates......

My Momz (shut up Sid) has a slightly different operating system.

I think mine is Vista Pro and hers is Vista amateur Whoresbastard.....anyways, Adobe Flash keeps sending her upgrade notifications.

Everyone has imbedded crap programs. I have to remove at least three or four programs and it hijacks her home page. I have to uninstall, Bing tool bars, and other search "helpers". You actually have to deselect the downloads and even then you still get some of the dreck.

So I dumped Flash and Adobe. SHE STILL got updates. Then she got an attachment from a GF that needed Adobe Flash to run......So I real loaded a clean copy of Adobe, and Flash and it's back at it again with the upgrades.

My computer gets none of these upgrade requests.

I've done the 5-6 hour adaware and MS essentials scan...nothing comes up.

Anybody know WTF?

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

More on updates......

I've done the 5-6 hour adaware and MS essentials scan...nothing comes up.

Anybody know WTF?

Try CCleaner

CCleaner - PC Optimization and Cleaning - Free Download

I'm a low level nerd and I escalated my request to upper echelon nerds who are in contact with the very high level nerds and they gave me this link... guard it with your life!!!

I run it on my Vista PC and seems to have cleaned things up...

A little spooky when you run it ya get...

DANGER, DANGER, YOU ARE ABOUT TO DELETE SUPER IMPORTANT FILES FROM YOUR COMPUTER, WE ARE NOT LIABLE IF YOU FOOK YOU PC UP!!!

would you like to proceed?

Click "yes"

[Baz]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

---snip---
My computer gets none of these upgrade requests.
---snip---

Yo Mike - you're still on dial-up too, eh?

[spuggy]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

Everyone has imbedded crap programs.

Sorry, none here. Not even on the 'Doze machines they give me for $WORK.

Use Mozilla, install FlashGot, NoScript and AdBlocker, and don't use web sites that you can't navigate without Java.

[id10t]

Originally Posted by gacook

You don't HAVE to do the updates (I usually don't...) unless you try to load an application that requires a specific version of Java.

There have been multiple critical security flaws in Java in the past few months....

[spuggy]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

Try CCleaner

CCleaner - PC Optimization and Cleaning - Free Download

It's very good, but you misunderstand what it's for. It removes dangling references to DLL's, malformed/bogus registry keys, missing installers/file type associations and the like - and grooms/compacts the registry. Oh, and cleans up unused/old temporary files, MRU entries and stuff.

This can make a huge speed improvement - some programs try to open the same registry key as many as 7-8 times a second to check the value (check out the Process Monitor/Explorer tools from SysInternals - bought by Microsoft several years ago - if you don't believe me).

A lean registry is A Good Thing.

But CrapCleaner (the original name) does nothing to remove malware, fake virus scanners, toolbars or that sort of junk. The defrag program (degraggler) from the same company is about 300% better than the native 'Doze tool, too...

[id10t]

Originally Posted by spuggy

A lean registry is A Good Thing.

And a handful of text files that have well documented format and structure stored in /etc/ is better