dear friends,
I have been trying to measure the speed of my local fiber internet connection.
I am supposed to be able to run a "speed test" to determine if it is running at 10 that is what level we bought. It seems to be running slower than normal. They said we had to have java on our computer to run the speed test.
What is java?
We use fox fire, got rid of internet explorer.
Is it ok if I just down load the java program?
Will it change the way our computer runs?
thanks for your input.
bizi

Dear Bizi

Java is an internet program execution framework. some sites use it, others don't.

Is it the "speed test" site, that is telling you you need Java? or are you still in the process of installing Firefox?

Are you being prompted for a download?

If so, can you tell me the URL (http://the-stuff-here) that it says the download will take place from?

i'll be here for about a half hour (then it's dinner time). We can go into chat if you prefer...

~ waves ~

sorry just getting back on line, thanks waves.
fox fire is already up and running has been for about a year or so ...I think.
the speed test site told me that I needed to have java...but did not offer me to install it. I posted this on the comp tech forum here and they said that I could safely install java with out affecting my computers running.
So I will install java and then go back to see if I can run the speed test.
thanks again for your response, hope you had a nice dinner.
bizi

Bizi,

Java is a programing language.

I do not know how it will affect the speed of your computer. You could post on the computers and technology forum here.

M

I tried to install it and was unable to , I am not the administrator, jeff is so have to wait till he is home....this is really becoming annoying, I have been trying to do a speed check for a week it seems, first they did not tell me to not use a www. before the web adress so I had to call back now the java thing after a nother call. now can't install the java...I think I give upand jsut accept the fact that our computer is running more slowly.
bizi

Mari

While Java is also a programming language, it is much more - it is a runtime environment too - a framework. For Bizi's purposes, that's what it is, she won't be downloading the compiler, or writing programs, she will be running a tool that requires the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) also sometimes called the Java Virtual Machine (VM).

Bizi

yes you do need to be administrator to install any programs on windows. the runtime environment (JRE) which you need to install, is a program to all effects. don't worry yourself until Jeff gets back.

would you give me the url to the "speed checker" site, please? i'd like to check it out.

frankly, i do not think that using a Java utility for benchmarking your PC is particularly useful. A native compiled program (a .exe utility) would be better. This is because the performance of the actual benchmark tool itself will vary, depending on the version of the JRE a person has installed.

~ waves ~

speedtest.lus.net

it is specific to our local fiber internet service.
do you have a better site for me to test my speed?
thanks!
bizi

i can't access the url... it must resolve locally (through your internet provider only).

globally it resolves to a "domain for sale" page, so i have no way to see what you see.

i am not aware of profilers, benchmarker etc, but someone else on the computer forum might... just make sure if you download an .exe it is from a well-known maker, even if it is freeware. if nothing else, the java one should be safe since your provider recommended it... it's not a huge deal - might tell you where your computer is "spending" more of its time... not sure exactly what you are testing.

are you wanting to figure out why the computer is running slower in general, or are you needing to test/verify your internet connection speed?

~ waves ~ sorry can't be of more help. sigh.