Javascript, Java, free Java applets, programmers

Java and JavaScript Freebies
If you're new to Web authoring, you're probably wondering "What is the deal with Java?" and "What can it do for me?" Well, Java (and its cousin, JavaScript) are programming languages that allow small programs (or applets) to run on your computer when you launch a Web site. If you've seen a page that featured some cool effect, like scrolling text, or a pop-up window, odds are you're looking at a Java applet in action.
If you'd like to include such cool features on your site you have two choices. You may either learn how to write Java programs yourself (a tough task) or you can go to any one of the various sites on the Web that offer free Java programs. Below is a roundup of many of the best Java and JavaScript repositories on the Web. Many offer free Java applets, or cut & paste JavaScript, with instructions for including them on your site. Others offer tutorials for learning the languages.
A word of caution: despite all the hype, Java still has a ways to go before it becomes an essential part of Web authoring. If you include Java programs on your site, don't go overboard----many take a long time to load and, worse, can cause a browser to crash (which is a sure way of ensuring that your visitors won't return to your site). On the other hand, if you use restraint (and good judgment) Java and JavaScript can add a nice touch to your site, and perhaps even make it more useful for your visitors.

Dynamic Drive
This unique site offers plenty of free, original Dynamic HTML scripts and components to enhance your Web site. An emerging medium, DHTML is an advanced form of JavaScript that can really make your Web pages come alive. Categories here include menus & navigation systems, document effects, scrollers, image effects, links & buttons, clocks, text animations and more.

The JavaScript Source
One of the best, most informative resources we've seen on the Web for JavaScript. This site offers lots of free cut & paste JavaScripts for your Web pages. Source codes are included. Examples include background effects, buttons, calculators, calendars, clocks, cookies, equivalents, folder trees, forms, games, messages, navigational scripts, page details, password protection, scrolls, user details and much more.

CodeHouse.com
This well-designed site serves up a nice selection of free JavaScript resources. Here, you'll find free scripts, online tools, articles, bookmarklets and other resources aimed at programmers and Webmasters. CodeHouse.com also offers free resources for JavaScript-related technologies, such as DHTML, CSS, XML and more.

JavaScript 2
Looking for free JavaScript? This unique search engine indexes over 8,000 free JavaScript codes offered by the Web's major JavaScript libraries. This site also displays a dynamic list of the Web's top 30 JavaScript search keyword queries.

JavaScript Kit
A regularly-updated resource for free JavaScript and Java, this site offers over 300 free scripts and Java applets and a very active JavaScript forum where developers can meet and discuss their script projects. There are also handy tutorials here, where you can learn JavaScript, DHTML and Webmastering. (Note: this site was formerly known as Website Abstraction).

FreewareJava.com
Here's a must-bookmark site for anyone who's interested in Java. This hefty site serves up free applets, tutorials, free zines, forums and JavaScript resources. Applets here include counters, clocks, games, search engines, menu & navigational applets, music and sound applets, slideshows, scrollers & ticker tapes and text animations. There are also interesting applets for manipulating images to create cool effects.

Java-Scripts.net
An informative, well-designed JavaScript resource. Each script is described and has instructions for implementation. Categories include scripts for browsers, forms, frames, images, links, timing and windows.

JavaPowered.com
If you're looking for free Java, this is a good place to start. JavaPowered.com offers hundreds of free Java applets. Each listing here is accompanied by a description and preview. Categories include games, text, utilities, FX, image, navigation and more. There's also a nice assortment of Flash resources here, too.

ACJavascripts.com
This site serves up a growing collection of free, ready-to-use JavaScripts that you can cut and paste onto your Web pages. Categories here include MouseOver scripts, games, calculators, tools, DHTML, clocks, forms and more.

A1 JavaScripts
If you're interested in JavaScript, this site is a must-bookmark. Here, you'll find over 300 free working JavaScripts that you can easily cut and paste onto your pages. There are also online tools here that let you create your own JavaScripts. Categories include page effects, site navigation, status bar effects, time related scripts and more.

Nic's JavaScript Page
A handy resource for free JavaScripts. The code you'll find here is compact, (which makes it easier to manipulate and learn from). This is a well-organized site, so you can quickly find what you need. (Note: this site has been occasionally inaccessible recently).

JavaScript Corral
Lasso yourself some cool and useful free JavaScripts at this fast-loading, helpful site. Here, you'll find JavaScripts for pop-up images, mouse-over effects, clocks, scrollers, dates, menus and more. Just cut and paste the scripts you want. The site includes tuturials and instructions for implementing the scripts.

JavaScript 4 U
A helpful Web ring focusing on JavaScript sources for Webmasters. Includes scripts for scrollers; clocks, pop-up Windows, games, dates, forms, buttons, background changes, animation, menus and more.

QuickChat
Do you wish you have a better way of interacting with your site's visitors? Do you wish you could run a chat server, but don't know how? Here's an easy solution. With QuickChat, all you need to do is cut and paste some coding to your page and presto: you have your own chat room. This Java-based chat applet offers lots of options and is accessible via a regular IRC client (such as mIRC). New features include a Trivia Channel, an administrative center and more options for customizing your chat applet.

Timothy's JavaScript Examples
This well-designed, fast-loading site has long been one of the Web's best places to score some snazzy Java-stuff for spicing up your page. Here, there's over 100 working free JavaScript examples with the source made easily available. (Note: this site is no longer in development).