i know many of us get struck with the little things… the code below are few simple steps to install java on your machine

Linux

Add partner repository using the following command

sudo add-apt-repository “deb http://archive.canonical.com/ lucid partner”

Update the source list

sudo apt-get update

Now install sun java packages using the following commands

sudo apt-get install sun-java6-jre sun-java6-plugin sun-java6-fonts

test by using the following command

java -verison

Just installing new Java flavours does not change the default Java pointed to by /usr/bin/java. You must explicitly set this:

Open a Terminal window Run sudo update-java-alternatives -l to see the current configuration and possibilities. Run sudo update-java-alternatives -s XXXX to set the XXX java version as default. For Sun Java 6 this would be sudo update-java-alternatives -s java-6-sun Run java -version to ensure that the correct version is being called. You can also use the following command to interactively make the change;

Open a Terminal window Run sudo update-alternatives –config java Follow the onscreen prompt You can also try IcedTea NPR Web Browser Plugin