How to Force Internet Explorer specific Java Runtime Environment?

Question

Problem: UConn uses a tool called Blackboard. Blackboard requires Version 1.5.0 (build 1.5.0_07-b03)
but I develop so NETBeans IDE needs/wants JDK6 ( likes JDK 6 Update 16 )
Tried managing add-ons in IE, Tried Firefox too.
What I want is to have IE forced to the JDK5 runtime and let my other applications (NetBeans, Oracle, OracleSQLDeveloper, Firefox and MYSQL use the JDK6). I know NEtBeans will allow to specify which JDK but it seems that IE still sees both and screws up.
Things I tried but didnt work: managing add-ons and I saw items like this Force Internet Explorer to use a specific Java Runtime Environment install?
from: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/71254/force-internet-explorer-to-use-a-specific-java-runtime-environment-install
First, disable the currently installed version of Java. To do this, go to Control Panel > Java > Advanced > Default Java for Browsers and uncheck Microsoft Internet Explorer.
Next, enable the version of Java you want to use instead. To do this, go to (for example) C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_15\bin (where jre1.5.0_15 is the version of Java you want to use), and run javacpl.exe. Go to Advanced > Default Java for Browsers and check Microsoft Internet Explorer.
To get your old version of Java back you need to reverse these steps.
Note that in older versions of Java, Default Java for Browsers is called <APPLET> Tag Support (but the effect is the same).
The good thing about this method is that it doesn't affect other browsers, and doesn't affect the default system JRE.
Any ideas?

Answer 1

bobparis wrote:
Problem: UConn uses a tool called Blackboard. Blackboard requires Version 1.5.0 (build 1.5.0_07-b03)
but I develop so NETBeans IDE needs/wants JDK6 ( likes JDK 6 Update 16 )
Tried managing add-ons in IE, Tried Firefox too.
What I want is to have IE forced to the JDK5 runtime and let my other applications (NetBeans, Oracle, OracleSQLDeveloper, Firefox and MYSQL use the JDK6). I know NEtBeans will allow to specify which JDK but it seems that IE still sees both and screws up.
Simple then - bad idea.
If your minimal target is 1.5 then you develop in 1.5. If you insist on using 1.6 for functional reasons then you will need to maintain two development environments on your box 1.5 and 1.6. You explicitly build support for 1.6 and detection for that into the code and test it using 1.6. And test using 1.5 as well.
Note you must test both 1.5 and 1.6. Full functional tests.
Obviously limiting yourself to 1.5 would require less effort (cost.)