The strength of Java is that it allows all sorts of fancy effects and features to be delivered over the Net and accessed by computers of different types equally well. Its disadvantage is that, as a full programming language, it contains far more commands and complexity than most people want to tackle for the sake of extended features in their Web pages. This book tries to deliver the pro without the con by explaining what Java is, where it came from, what it can do and where to grab interesting Java applets that can be stitched into the reader's work without programming. Programming Java is a separate Dummies title and is not covered here. The section on the history of Java and its versions and flavours is particularly useful to anyone who hasn't been following its growing pains. (It will, at least, help in understanding why bits of Java encountered on the Web so often fall flat on their faces and fail to run.)
There is also an emphasis on "offline" uses of Java on the desktop and samples of this ranging from a program to cycle desktop wallpaper to the ambitious IBM/Lotus e-suite of office applications created entirely in Java. At very least, this title will break the ice for someone coming new to the subject, serving as a typically bright, breezy and easy Dummies introduction.