Aren't executable jars also simple double-click affairs, with the added advantage that you don't need a Windows box and an OS X box to test them? Speaking as someone who develops on Linux the only methods I consider realistic for distribution are applet or self-executable jar. Maybe in a couple of years Webstart will be reliable enough to add to that list.

Does the game have to be cross platform to make it into this glorious list of over achievers?

Kev

Personally when I choose to move games to showcase, I do think the game should run on at least Windows, Mac and Linux. However if its something special and not your average game clone then Windows only is fine by me. Other moderators may differ in their criteria but thats how I'd choose.

i don't think the rules are clear enough yet regarding if mobile games should be allowed in the showcase or not.

Personally i think a sub section in the showcase would be fine for mobile games.
I'd also think it depends on how much interest and content there is, maybe we can see how the Android section does first.

But again this is all open for discussion and debate.

i thought the whole reason for java was to be platform independant, if your going to use a platform specific installer why not write the game in a different language in the first place and forget java.
if a player doesnt want to use my webstart or applet then i dont want them as a player they can go and play other types of games i dont care, i think java was a great language for me to learn not because it could run almost on any machine blah de blah etc etc , it was because it was the easiest to understand and the people that program it are kind enough to help newbies by sharing thier code sample. LONG LIVE JAVA and flash can go burn in the fires of hell 

Simply double-clicking the jar file in Linux can do the job.  Otherwise, a SH file is just like a BAT file in Windows.  Most of the time, right-clicking the item to run and accessing its Properties will have a tab at the top that says "Permissions."  An item there should say something to the effect of "Allow executing as a program."  If checked, then all should be good to go for double-clicking.


Is that because so much clicking is required just to run a Web Start software?  I noticed a few issues with the executable.  For multi-clicking, I figure a statement to participants might suffice.

Your suggestion had been used to improve the mouse input in the first version that still works like a charm. Sorry for the off topic.