In court testimony today, Ellison can't declare whether Java is free. It's a complicated topic that won't be easy for a jury to figure out.

If you do not install Java before running an Adobe application, there can be missing or improperly behaving features. OpenOffice, a free alternative to Microsoft Office, uses Java for many features.

The latest version of the Java Control Panel for Windows has a checkbox under the Security tab labeled 'Enable Java content in the browser.' Uncheck that and all your browsers should be Java-free." ...

Free to adapt, free to tinker with, free to include in open source software such as Linux, and free for Java's competitors. The world of programmers and pundits applauded.

Since Microsoft won't include it as part of Windows XP, Sun is offering the new Java Virtual Machine for Microsoft's Windows XP as a free download.

What the recent changes to support and licensing of Java developer tools means for you.