JOA Updates

The purpose of this page is to allow you to download updates to JOA in between major releases. In this way you can try out new features of JOA and benefit sooner from bug fixes.

These updates include from one to many .jar files that will replace files of the same name in your installed version of JOA. Typically, you will replace some of the .jar files in your JOA directory with new ones downloaded here. Updates are grouped by date with the most recent update displayed first. Updates are cummulative--individual updates will usually incorporate features and bug fixes from earlier updates.

Updateing JOA Instructions

Updating your copy of JOA is different depending upon whether you are using Windows, Linux, or Mac OS X. In either case, we highly recommend that you make a backup copy of your JOA folder before applying these updates. Take me directly to the updates.

Windows and Linux Instructions

1) Backup your current JOA folder
2) Quit JOA if it is running.
3) Replace .jar files with the updated versions you downladed from this page.
4) Update is complete. Verify that new JOA 4.X launches and works.

Mac OS X Instructions

1) Backup your current JOA application (you don't need to backup the entire folder).

Work on duplicate copy of JOA from here on.

2) Show Package Contents of Java OceanAtlas 4.X application by either right clicking (two-button mouse) or ctrl-clicking (one-button mouse) on JOA application icon--the package contents open into a new window and looks just any other Finder window.

3) Open "Contents" folder

Step #4 is only used if the info.plist file is updated.

4) Replace file info.plist with the updated version

Jar file update continues hear:

5) Open "Resources" folder.

6) Open "Java" folder.

7) Copy new .jar files downloaded above into the "Java" folder replacing files as necessary.

8) Close Contents folder.

9) Close the JOA Package Contents window.

10) Update is complete. Verify that new JOA 4.X launches and works.

Download Updates

Update 4.1.0d1 on 10-08-2005
.jar Files Updated
(click to download)		 Size What's New in This Update
joa2.jar 1.6MB This release incorporates the new JOA Data Editor--a spreadsheet-like interface for editing the values of measured parameters and their associated quality codes.

A Note on version numbers: JOA versions are labeled according to the following scheme:

Java OceanAtlas X.Y.Z<a,b, or d>z

Where:
X is a major release with many new features/capabilities. Current major version is 4.
Y is a minor release that may have substantial new features as well as bug fixes: Current minor version is 0.
Z is a maintenance release that will usually only have bug fixes. Current minor version is 0.
<a,b, or d> On this page you may find a version number with one of these letters. a stands for an "alpha" release, "b" stands for a "beta" release, and "d" stands for a "development release".
z is the numeric version of the alpha, beta, or development release. As these version are refined, the number will increase.

Alpha, Beta, and Development versions are always used for testing software before it is released. Typically, d versions are released before alpha versions, alpha versions are released before beta versions, and beta versions are released before final release. Development versions will be in a state of flux and features may come and go. Alpha versions are feature complete but could be pretty buggy. Beta versions are feature complete and should be close to release quality.

Reporting Bugs

Please report any bugs directly to me: tooz@oceanatlas.com. I will post updates to JOA on the download web page (this very page). When you report a bug, it's helpful to know what you were doing at the time with JOA. If you can replicate the steps to reproduce a bug you will be held in my highest esteem. Also include any console/terminal output (described below), what OS and version, and what version of the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) you were using (About Java OceanAtlas displays the current JVM in use).

If JOA is acting funny or seems to have stopped, try the following:

Mac OS X: Open the Console application found in the Appications/Utilities folder. If you see something that looks like this...

java.lang.Exception
        at javaoceanatlas.PowerOceanAtlas.init(PowerOceanAtlas.java:180)
        at javaoceanatlas.PowerOceanAtlas.<init>(PowerOceanAtlas.java:78)
        at javaoceanatlas.PowerOceanAtlas.main(PowerOceanAtlas.java:533)

...then JOA has encountered a problem. This could either be a bug in JOA or an issue with a data file. Please copy this text and email to me--having an exception trace is very valuable in tracking down a problem. If possible, provide me with any data files that you think may be causing the problem to appear.

Windows and Linux: If you are having problems with JOA not doing what you expect it do, it may have encountered an error. It would be very helpful to me for you to enable the console in JOA and send me any error messages. Do this:

0) Quit JOA

1) In the folder where the JOA program is installed, there should be a file called: Java OceanAtlas 4.0.1.lax

2) Open this folder into a basic text editor (like Notepad), NOT a word processor like Word.

3) Change these lines:

lax.stderr.redirect=
lax.stdout.redirect=

To:

lax.stderr.redirect=console
lax.stdout.redirect=console

4) Save the .lax file (make sure it's saved in "text only" format)

5) When you restart JOA, you will see a "command" window. If you see something that looks like this in the command window:

java.lang.Exception
        at javaoceanatlas.PowerOceanAtlas.init(PowerOceanAtlas.java:180)
        at javaoceanatlas.PowerOceanAtlas.<init>(PowerOceanAtlas.java:78)
        at javaoceanatlas.PowerOceanAtlas.main(PowerOceanAtlas.java:533)

then JOA has encountered a problem. This could either be a bug in JOA or an issue with a data file. Please copy this text and email to me--having an exception trace is very valuable in tracking down a problem. If possible, provide me with any data files that you think may be causing the problem to appear.

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