Do I need Sun Java 2 Runtime Environment?

I noticed on my Toshiba Satellite A500 it came with a Sun java Runtime environment and on my new asus notebook G73JH-A1 it did not. so when it came time to update java run time on the Toshiba, I simply removed it. because I don't really run any programs that use it. Is this a smart idea.?

do I really need this or is it a Security thing?

 

The Java runtime is like a plugin, like Flash. It allows you to run programs made in the Java programming language. I suggest you get the latest runtime from java.com: Java + You.

The Java runtime will allow you to run applets that some websites may have.

 

You know metril, I've been on the net since 1993 and I've never been to a website that wouldn't work because of java Runtime not being installed. so I am just trying to figure out what's with the big push to install java on pre-installed systems. ?

It just seems like a bit pain because it's always needing updating like adobe flash and you can't just update it you have to unisntall it download the new version, the reinstall the new version in order to get it to work right. and if you don't do that you'll find parts of it still installed and running from the older version.

 

If you never encountered the need for Java on the web then you probably have no need to keep it on the system as it would be a waste of resources. I don't have Java at all on my system and it doesn't detrimentally affect my general web browsing experience. I rarely come across sites that need Java, most of them use Adobe Flash in my experience.

 

I don't have it installed either, and it has not hampered my online activities in any way.

Don't install it until you need it.

 

Ive actually used a lot of websites that have java content, especially my "blackboard" website for my college. I always considered java to be a necessary plugin to have installed at all times, just like flash.