As you may know, ParaChat is a 100% Java application. It requires a Java-enabled browser in order to run the application within your browser. You may not be aware that your Windows XP operating system, which includes Internet Explorer 6, does not include Java because of Microsoft's active decision not to include it with Windows XP. Note that Windows 95, 98, SE, ME, 2000 and NT operating systems all included Java as part of the operating system, but Microsoft did not bundle it with XP (they are reversing that decision presently). This also implies that you are currently unable to run any Java applications on your machine. Information about the exclusion of Java from Windows XP, and on acquiring Microsoft Virtual Machine as a result of this omission, is available on Microsoft's web site by visiting http://www.microsoft.com/java/.

I am also providing some news links below that may provide some additional background for you about Microsoft's decision, and its backlash in the software development world. The most recent link explains how Microsoft is preparing to once again provide Java in the Service Pack 1 update to Windows XP. There is an abundance of related news about this issue, and these are just 2 stories that provide some good background:

July 18, 2001: http://news.com.com/2100-1001-270200.html

Sun Microsystems said it is "disappointed" by Microsoft's decision to not include Java software in its Windows XP and Internet Explorer products, although analysts said the move could help Sun in the long run.

June 18, 2002: http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1104-937059.html

In an about-face, Microsoft said Tuesday that it will reinstate the ability to run Java programs in Windows XP.

The only requirement as a result of Microsoft's decision is to simply install Java on your machine, since the operating system that you have selected does not include Java. We provide Java support information on our web site, including a link to Sun Microsystem's download of Java 1.4 (which we recommend over Microsoft Virtual Machine), the latest version of Java available. For Java information, and to download Java 1.4 now instead of waiting for Microsoft's Service Pack update, please visit http://www.parachat.com/faq/java.html.