Since writing the original page on Java in March, I've changed my mind. For a multitude of reasons, the Java platform has become the choice of many software authors. PHP, Ruby, Python, Perl, C and others still have their advocates but it is hard to find packages such as JasperReports, JFreeCharts, JPivot, and Pentaho for other langauges.

But the real reason is that I finally found the "bunny slope". On the "bunny slope", you can write meaningful programs with a minimum of pain that look good and run fast. True, you will carry a huge amount of baggage around but it will fit on a CD and once installed and running you can ignore the excess weight and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

As a user, you can get by with something called the Java Runtime Environment. Windows users can get the JRE from FileHippo. Linux users may find it their distribution. But Java diehards get it from the source Sun. Developers will want the Java Development Kit (JDK) but will find the choice of an IDE (Integrated Development Environment) a prerequisite. You could do worse than Netbeans. You can download both at the same time from NetBeans. Then you get to mull over hundreds of libraries, many of which do something userful, all of which are overwhelming for mere mortals.