So, my take as a newbie is: (easy way) 1. Use the tarball and install in /opt 2. set up my own $JAVA_HOME in /etc/profile 3. add /opt/jdk1.5.0_06/jre/bin to $PATH optional: 1. Download the sun jdk and try to make my own rpm. I say this as I do not see any evidence of a jdk1.5+ on the list on the left side of jpackage.org except for those in the "non-free" section. All-in-all, I think the tarball route is easier and cleaner for a newbie unless there is really something big this is slipping right by me. Thanks to all for the help, guidance. I was reminded that I need to keep going back to the release notes - something that I too often forget about. Thanks again, Bob ><snip all before>