Help
& FAQ:
Frequently Asked Questions
- What version of Java do I need? Version 1.0 of the Open Source Physics library requires Java 1.4 or above.
Future versions of the OSP library will likely use generics (Java 1.5) and the JavaScript interpreter (Java 1.6).
- What operating system do I need? Open Source Physics programs run on any operating system with a Java Virtual
Machine. OSP applications have been tested on Windows XP, Windows 2000, Apple OS X Tiger and Panther, and various versions of
Linux. OSP applets run on most (but not all) browsers on these same operating systems. Browsers are, however,
continually being improved. Users are encouraged check at least two operating-system browser combinations, such as Internet
Explorer and Mozilla and Windows or Safari and Mozilla on OS X, when running OSP programs as applets.
- How can I use Open Source Physics programs? Open Source Physics programs and source code are released Open
Source code under the GNU General Public License (GPL). The GPL license requires that any program or code library that
incorporates any portion of the OSP library must also be released under the terms of the GNU GPL license. Narrative text
(such as textbooks, articles, or on-line curricular material) that uses OSP programs may, however, be copyrighted. You
must contact the narrative author or publisher for permission to use these narratives.
- How do I obtain Java? Java is feely available from various vendors and Open Source Websites. Apple OS X
(version 10.2 and above) and Sun Microsystems Solaris include Java. Java for Windows and Linux can be downloaded from the
Sun Microsystems website.