The Java Developer's Journal is moving in big ways. Change is constant, and the JDJ is no exception. Andrew Zolli has moved on, and for now, I am the Editor of the Java Developer's Journal. I look forward to seeing Java shape the Internet, and the world. We, the Java developers, will not only affect the Web, but the real world we live in as well.

Three months ago, there were about two thousand applets at Gamelan. Now the list is well over ten thousand, and growing every day. And the majority of these applets have one thing in common: they don't really DO anything!

If you are a Web developer, and you're contemplating which applet to put on your page, first ask yourself, "Why?" Is the user's experience going to be enhanced by the use of the applet on the Web page? Will it cause the user to spend their money on your product, come back to the site, or at least improve their perception of your company or product? If you are a Java developer, and you're working on an applet for the Web, ask yourself these same questions. And to those of you who have already been asking yourselves these questions, I take my hat off to you! I've seen a few of your applets out there as well-they are just tucked into the corner next to all the scrolling text and animated images, hiding.

The Internet is about a lot of things, but it comes down to three main things: communication, information, and advertising. If you can communicate your information properly, you may have already done all your advertising. The Internet should make your life easier, kinder, softer, friendlier-even more fun. As it is now, the Internet is free. Access to it may cost you, but the Internet itself is a free medium.

Yes, there are a lot of ads, but with the Internet, if you don't want to view an ad, don't go to the site. As for the sites that provide information in exchange for you viewing their ads, well, that's the price you pay. If you don't want to see the ad, find an alternative source of information.

Today's Internet is an infant, as is Java. Both will continue to grow, change and evolve, and I predict that both will be around for a long time. Today's children can't remember a world without VCRs, cable and Nintendo. Tomorrow's children won't be able to remember a world without the Internet, and Java will be part of the invisible background of that world.