Name: nt126004 Date: 08/13/2001


java version "1.3.1"
Java(TM) 2 Runtime Environment, Standard Edition (build 1.3.1-b24)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 1.3.1-b24, mixed mode)

The BasicService has a method showDocument() that directs a browser on the
client to show the given URL. However, if your browser is already open, it
replaces the current page. An optional flag should be available to force a new
browser window. This is useful for viewing online help without the user losing
the current location in their browser.
(Review ID: 129926)
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###@###.### 2002-01-16

We need a way to display an HTML document using an existing browser
>window. The current implementation of Web Start's showDocument() mechanism
>causes a new browser window to get opened every time (at least on Windows NT
>using IE). This causes a fair amount of browser window "clutter" on the
>user's desktop. Ideally, there should be a switch in showDocument that
>allows the developer to show the HTML document in a new window or an
>existing window. If the OS or the browser does not support this switch, the
>switch would be ignored. (It would be a shame to reject this feature just
>because some operating systems won't support it. Windows will support it).

Another request from iPlanet Instant Messaging:

From: Aqueel Husain <###@###.###>
X-Accept-Language: en
MIME-Version: 1.0
To: ###@###.###
CC: Jacques Belissent <###@###.###>
Subject: showDocument method enhancement
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

Hi,

In avax.jnlp.BasicService are there plans to enhance the
showDocument(URL) method to be able to specify a
browser instance to open the URL in - showDocument(URL, string)
similar to what the AppletContext provides.

We have a need for it for our iPlanet Instant Messaging product.

The crtical problem we are facing is that our webstart application
sometimes opens a URL in an existing window which is running
an applet. This causes the applet to close causing other problems.

I found an explanation at:
http://forum.java.sun.com/thread.jsp?forum=38&thread=71318
but would request you to see if it is possible.

Thanks
Aqueel