Is there another type of Java besides Sun Java?

Question

If so, which should I install? And why on some computers after using the install Java link do I get that annoying tray icon and the "loading circle", while on others it just looks normal? Is those because those computers are using a Java put out by a company other then Sun Microsystems?

Answer 1

Officially, no. There is ONLY Sun's version of Java. Microsoft tried it's typical "embrace, extend and extinguish" policy with Java. They lost the court battle shortly after Windows XP was first released. They did not follow Sun's published spec for Java and Sun took them to court for Microsoft using the "Java" name. Microsoft then had to quit including it's JVM with Windows. Besides, Sun Java is the best cross-platform programming language out there.