Java 6

posted 08:49PM Dec 11, 2006 with tags java linux macosx windows by Lars Trieloff

Java 6 is out and Danny Coward has a list of 10 reasons to upgrade. One reason he is missing is the new System Tray API which works for Windows, Linux and Mac OS X.

Who else wants to get rid of the default jEdit icons?

posted 09:26PM Aug 01, 2006 with tags gnome java jedit linux macosx tips by Lars Trieloff

jEdit is a great editor. It is free, runs on every platform, can be extended using plugins, can be scripted using macros, but the default set of icons is a shame. Java swing applications are known to look arkward and jEdit is no exception. But there are some simple steps of getting rid of the default look and feel.
  1. If you are using GNOME, you should download Java 1.6 Mustang beta, as it supports the new GTK Look and Feel which makes jEdit look more like a native GTK application. Windows users have no problems, Mac OS X users should follow the next instruction.
  2. If you are using Mac OS X: Start jEdit, open /Applications/jEdit/jEdit.app/Contents/Info.plist. This is an XML file, but you just need to find the line containing <string>org.gjt.sp.jedit.jEdit</string> and add following content below: <key>Properties</key> <dict> <key>com.apple.macos.useScreenMenuBar</key> <string>true</string> </dict>. Save the file and restart jEdit. Now the Menu bar will not be part of the main window any more, jEdit uses the Mac OS X menu bar like a proper Mac application.
  3. Download the icon set from this forum post and install it to the lib/ext folder of your Java runtime installation. For Mac OS X users, this is probably /System/Library/Frameworks/JavaVM.framework/Versions/1.5.0/Home/lib/ext/, Windows Users should look for C:\Program Files\Java and Linux users should ask their distribution where Java is installed.

The result is a jEdit that looks much more like the cool and powerful application it is.

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