Most modern Macs have Java installed, so they could be vulnerable to the Flashback. While Apple posted a security fix for Mac OS X Lion and Mac OS X Snow Leopard, there are many millions of Macs running older software. Still there's an easy way to prevent a Java drive-by attack, besides pulling the plug.
Adobe Systems recently released a list of problems with Apple's Mac OS X 10.7 release, a k a Lion. Many products are also incompatible with the new 5.1 version of Safari and its handling of Java.
A joint press release from Oracle and Apple on Friday cleared up the angst over the future role of Java on Mac OS. A newly-formed OpenJDK project will handle the release and Apple will do the heavy lifting on the "key components, tools and technology required for a Java SE 7 implementation on Mac OS X," the release said.
Days before the opening of its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC), Apple once again is touting the advantages of new Web standards, such as HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, and the WebKit rendering engine. The demos are on the Apple Developer site.
In a survey, Adobe asks its developers about scripting support in Creative Suite. But it sure looks as if coders are being asked to choose between AppleScript and something else.
Sun Microsystem's days as an independent company may be limited, very limited, if the reports by the Wall Street Journal and others are correct; this time IBM will be the suitor. But throughout Sun's long downhill slide, there have been many back-and-forths with Apple, deals that many saw at the time as perfect fits.