Why is almost everything in the API final

[Richard Bair]

>> I would strongly recommend leaving the shared JRE install world behind.
> 
> As a suggestion, try JWrapper - we have flawless installs now, even using an OSGI deployment procedure! Bundled JVMs are really the only dependable way to go now it seems?

If my business were betting on it, I'd not use a shared install for a couple reasons:
  - I want to control the *exact* version of the JRE such that my app testing was done against a specific version of the JRE
  - I have the freedom to modify the JRE as needed for my app
  - I can deploy as a normal desktop app using normal mechanisms
      - Related, I don't have to field support requests around what version of Java is installed or not, or Java install problems

I can still have auto-update with an app cobundle, so I don't miss out there either.

None of these points are suggesting the problem is with WebStart's implementation, they all hold even if WebStart were completely bug free. They're just the natural side-effect of a shared install system.

Richard