• My software is cross-platform, and requires the features of a Java run-time environment.
• Apple stopped support for Java many years ago, although public demand caused them to continue to make their obsolete Java 1.6 run-time available for all OS versions up to and including Mac OS X 10.12 (Sierra). Note, however, that this is the last Mac OS X version for which the Apple-provided Java run-time is fully usable.
• Oracle provide current versions of Java for all versions of Mac OS X from 10.7; that should continue for future releases of Mac OS X.
• Historically I have provided versions of my software packaged as "Application Bundles" - folders with special properties recognised by the Mac OS operating system and presented visually as a single icon. These require Apple's legacy Java run-time. Consequently, they may not work beyond Mac OS X 10.12 (Sierra).
• My software contains everything that is needed in the java executable (jar) file alone, and can be run by simply double-clicking the jar file. Download and install a current Java run-time from Oracle. The only thing you will miss out on is the packaging as a pretty icon.
• Subsequent to the current (early 2018) versions of my software, I shall cease to provide an Application Bundle. The jar file will be available.
• Users of my software may get a message refusing to open my applications. This is because I am not a registered Apple developer, so Gatekeeper can't make a security check using an Apple-issued security certificate. If this occurs, right-click or control-click and select "Open" from the contextual pop-up menu. This time the dialog will have the option to continue, with a warning that this will remove the application from quarantine.
• The point of the security warning is obvious; what does not seem so obvious to many users is the absolute importance of obtaining my software only from my website. I do not recommend the use of third-party download sites.
• In summary, there are two options:
Either: use the Application in the download after installing Apple's Java 1.6. This version is launched by a small program provided by Apple, and contained in the Application Bundle, and only works with the Apple Java system.
Or: install a Java sytem from Oracle and double-click the jar file as if it were a normal Application. This actually works on any platform. Apart from the lack of an icon, and some Finder-specific information, there is no difference between the two methods.
• Users who process files at sample rates over 48kHz should already be using the jar file with Oracle's Java run-time. There is a decade-old bug in Apple's Java Sound that limits sound monitoring at higher rates, although it has no impact on processing of audio files.
• To produce Application Bundles that are compatible with the constantly changing versions of Mac OS X is beyond my expertise or resources. It would also increase download sizes one hundred fold.
• From this distance, it seems quite ironic that when Apple released the early versions of Mac OS X, it was promoted as "the premium platform for Java applications".