Posted: 06/05/2015
Java is a revolutionary concept. Developers can write computer programs which run in web browsers without configuration or installation. The software has access to the supplier’s cloud storage and computing infrastructure, but does not (without permission) have access to the local hard disks or microphones, keeping these private.
Modern Java is perfect for cloud software. It is fast, efficient, and you work with the most up to date release.
Forscene, the world’s most sophisticated cloud video post production platform, makes full use of Java for its logging and editing front end. Launched from any browser, Forscene allows full frame rate, frame accurate video editing with up to 18 camera multicams, as well as HD or 4K publishing and dissemination.
Too good to last?
Forbidden has been using Java since 1999. That is a long time for any computer technology. YouTube wasn’t launched for another six years. The iPhone didn’t come out for another seven.
During that time, there have been many people predicting Java’s demise. Its power has kept it as relevant as ever. Oracle publishes some stats on Java:
- 97% of Enterprise Desktops Run Java [Forscene fits in here]
- 89% of Desktops (or Computers) in the U.S. Run Java
- 9 Million Java Developers Worldwide
- #1 Choice for Developers
- #1 Development Platform
Java is a cross platform platform. Its mantra of “Write once, run anywhere” challenges the great PC OS providers, who like software to be written specifically for their platforms.
A major early threat to Java was when Microsoft stopped supporting it back in 2001. Manufacturers soon shipped official versions of Java on Windows PCs.
Nine years later, Apple announced that it would stop maintaining Java for Apples. This led to some reorganisation of the way Java was run, and now Apple owners can download Java for free.
Android, the number 1 mobile OS, uses Java compatible source code. This enabled Forbidden to bring its Forscene cloud video editing technology to Android four years earlier than on Apple’s iOS devices.
So what is the latest scare? Google have announced that, on their Chrome browser, they are discontinuing the powerful Netscape API for plugins (NPAPI), which Java uses. The Java website discusses this. Support for NPAPI was to have been dropped in September 2013, removing not only Java support, but also Microsoft’s Silverlight video technology and Facebook Video. (Interestingly, Forscene is also a video technology). This downgrade now has been delayed until late 2015.
Google’s replacement for NPAPI appears to be somewhat deficient; we recommend users switch to one of the other mainstream browsers, such as Firefox, Safari and Internet Explorer.
Java itself is supported on Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. As most users run Forscene outside the browser in Java Webstart, Google’s move is relatively minor compared to previous threats.
Forbidden has worked with many technologies. Both Forscene and eva run as native apps on iOS and Android devices. Forbidden’s new consumer editor runs in Javascript, which despite its name, is not closely related to Java. (While this will not initially be supporting 18 camera multicams, neither did Forscene when we launched it in 2004.)
Our exceptional service extends to providing customer support on any Forscene issues.
Technology is always changing. Regardless of Google limiting the utility of their Chrome browser, users can launch Forscene from a variety of other mainstream web browsers. Java is well supported on all major desktop and laptop platforms and in the long term, as computers continue to evolve and improve, Forscene has a bright future on whatever platforms are available.
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Jon Hanford - Group CTO, Deltatre