Zlatko,

While it is true that out of the box, the a WebStart client needs a signed jar to 
perform privileged operations, keep in mind that you might be able to 1.) change the 
policy file for the WebStart JVM or 2.) import your self-signed cert into the keystore 
(and distribute that keystore to all clients) or 3.) just self-sign the jar - this 
method works, but the user will see a rather disturbing message the first time the jar 
is run (something along the lines of 'untrusted code, do not run'). As far as lazily 
downloading a jar, I believe that the WebStart client only allows for one signature to 
be used (across all jars), so as long as the original signature is accepted initially, 
there should be no problem downloading additional jars (assuming the signature is the 
same). Of course, you can decompile the WebStart client and 'take out' the section of 
code that checks for the signature. Jad will decompile the code into code that will 
recompile. I previously experimented with changing the look and feel, as well as 
disabling some of the options that the user might be inclined to change (URL, proxy 
setting, etc.) using this method. The homepage is http://kpdus.tripod.com/jad.html, 
but the site seems to be having problems. If you are interested, I can email you a 
copy of the executable.

Regards,
John

John Ghidiu
Benderson Development Company Inc.
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
(716) 878-9376


-----Original Message-----
From: Zlatko Kostadinov [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Wednesday, July 03, 2002 03:51
To: JDJList
Subject: [jdjlist] RE: Applet writing files on client


Thanks John

That's really good idea, but what I read in the webstart spec is that it
needs a signed
application to gisve the needed permissions. I have never tried it but this
is written in the spec:
The JNLP Client must check a JAR file for signing information before it is
used, i.e., before a class file or another resource is retrieved from it. If
a JAR file is signed and the digital signature does not verify, the
application must be aborted. For a lazily downloaded JAR file, i.e., a JAR
file that is downloaded after the application is launched, this might
require aborting an already-running application.

And if i did not sign the jar it will not have permissions to write on the
disk:

All applications are by default run in an untrusted or restricted
environment by a JNLP Client. The restricted environment is similar to the
well-known Applet sandbox, and is designed so untrusted applications are
prevented from intentionally or unintentionally harming the local system.
For example, the restricted environment limits access to local disk and the
network.

Maybe there is much easier way to import the certificate as trusted in
webstart - this will be really good.

Thanks for your help

Zlatko

----- Original Message -----

From: "John Ghidiu" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "JDJList" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 02, 2002 6:11 PM
Subject: [jdjlist] RE: Applet writing files on client


Not necessarily much simpler, but we have started using WebStart for all
client applications in our workspace. The deployment of WebStart to all the
users was a little rough, but deploying an application to the client has
become much easier - in fact, all that really needs to be done is to copy
the jar file (and sometimes the JNLP file). One of the good things about
WebStart is that you can specify the JVM that you want to use. If you are
not familiar with WebStart, look here:

http://java.sun.com/products/javawebstart/

Hope that helps!

Regards,
John Ghidiu

-----Original Message-----
From: Zlatko Kostadinov [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Tuesday, July 02, 2002 11:02
To: JDJList
Subject: [jdjlist] Applet writing files on client


Hi

I have to run applet that uses the file system on the client. The applet
will be used just in mine company, so I have not a "real" CA certificate. I
created a "developer" certificate and signed the applet with it. The java
plugin 1.4.0 propmts the user to grant the needed permissions to the applet
or no. I want to have the same result on the older plugins (1.3.x) but in
this case the certificate must be imported in the trusted certificates
database (either in IE or in "jre\lib\security\cacerts" - different for the
different versions). Unfortunately it seems to be too complicated operation
for the ordinary user.

Does anyone have a suggestion how to make this operation simple and easy to
be done.

Thanks!
Zlatko


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