A lot of things require Java. Do you plan to just not use those things?  Just asking.

Well. we "need" Java like we need Flash. While I suspect Flash is more commonplace, ubiquitous, both are just different technologies that enable content delivery and display. Neither are *necessary*, as such, but that depends if you want Flash content - or not. lol

Ya if a specific web page is using it.  For awhile Java was more prevalent, I don't think it is so much anymore, seems to have been replaced by other "stuff".  I haven't had it installed in years.  I suppose if you're wondering if you really need the plugin in your browser you could disable it for awhile and see if that trips you up on anything important.

I did have a specific utility app that was written in Java, but just the one.  Left the utility and Java a long time ago.

edit- guess we pretty much said the same thing at the same time.

And just FYI (grins and giggles) :

JavaScript and Java

A common misconception is that JavaScript is similar or closely related to Java. It is true that both have a C-like syntax, the C language being their most immediate common ancestor language. They are both object-oriented, typically sandboxed (when used inside a browser), and are widely used in client-side Web applications. In addition, JavaScript was designed with Java's syntax and standard library in mind. In particular, all Java keywords were reserved in original JavaScript, JavaScript's standard library follows Java's naming conventions, and JavaScript's Math and Date objects are based on classes from Java 1.0.^[17]

However, the similarities end there. Java has static typing; JavaScript's typing is dynamic (meaning a variable can hold an object of any type and cannot be restricted). JavaScript is weakly typed ('0.0000' == 0, 0 == "", false == "", etc.) while Java is strongly typed. Java is loaded from compiled bytecode; JavaScript is loaded as human-readable source code. Java's objects are class-based; JavaScript's are prototype-based. JavaScript also has many functional programming features based on the Scheme language.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JavaScript#JavaScript_and_Java

So far I have yet to have anything tell me: "Hey, you need Java to run this!" on either my laptop or home desktop. Use a bit different line of things on my work desktop, hence having not tried it there yet.

lol, fair enough. I can re-phrase that to, nothing I have tried running since has failed to launch and run.

Java serves a useful function and doesn't have any major issues that I am aware of, so why are some people so freaked out about Java of late anyway?

Not really freaked out, it was more I was just sicking of seeing the updates all the time, and started wondering about whether I really need it. So far, I have seen zero (not close to zero, but actual zero) programs I use requiring it. This may change in the future of course, and I'll make any decisions at that time. And it's not like this is a hard program to re-install.

If you do know some useful function it serves that I am missing out on though, please fill me in, that is precisely why I started this thread. I didn't start it just to bad-mouth Java or talk everyone else into jumping off the bridge with me, I am genuinely interested in a need it is/was filling.

Thus far, I am happy to see it gone.

or an older one:

Oracle reportedly knew of critical Java bugs under attack for 4 months

and four months is a little to long for my taste. that was the point when i got rid of it. and the only thing i noticed was one single website.

but sure, if you use Java sites or apps often, then keep it. the only thing mentioned on this thread was an nVidia driver updates scanner though.

Tom is correct. A tight run ship need not worry too much about these things.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/10/us-java-security-idUSBRE90919X20130110