How to make the applet work!

Information updated 2023-05-29.

In modern browsers which do not support Java plugins, there are two ways in which to make Java applets run:

  1. Use a plugin that will run applets without Java being installed on the same machine.
  2. Install Java on the machine; then enable Internet Explorer (IE) mode in any browser through the use of a plugin, or directly in Edge (the browser from Microsoft).

The first option is the easiest to implement, and there is no reason not to try that first. But for the applet on this page, the second option has an advantage since the game window will then be a true Java window independent of the browser window. This means that the game window will have its own button on the task bar, and the game can be played also when the browser window is minimized. The details for each option are as follows:

  1. Visit CheerpJ Applet Runner for the plugin. Note that it can be used with any Chromium based browser.
  2. Visit Java Downloads for All Operating Systems to download Java. Please be aware that for Windows you will need the 32-bit version even if all your browsers are 64-bit. After installing Java goto Setting the security level within the Java Control Panel to learn how to configure it and enter https://www.poetsoftware.no/applets/ into the Exception Site List. For instructions about using Internet Explorer mode in Edge visit Internet Explorer mode in Microsoft Edge. I have also found a couple of plugins for Chromium based browsers that allow to open pages in Internet Explorer mode. Visit IEability and IE Tab respectively for details.

The old below information is partly dated/deprecated.

If the Java applet does not work, check the following in the given order.

  1. Is Java enabled in the browser? See https://java.com/en/download/help/enable_browser.xml for help.
  2. Is Java enabled in the control panel? See https://java.com/en/download/help/enable_panel.xml for help.
  3. Is this site (http://www.poetsoftware.no/applets/) in the exception site list? See https://www.java.com/en/download/faq/exception_sitelist.xml for help.

Diplomaten – a solitaire…

All bitmapped graphics used in the game,
Copyright © 1999 Paal Olstad. <p-olstad@online.no>
All rights reserved.

Contents:

NOTE: If using a dial-up connection, you may disconnect after the cards have been loaded and still play as many deals as you like (see Interface below) as long as you don't close the web page for the game (this page) in your browser.
NOTE: If you close the applet window, the current game is not discarded. Just push the <Play> button again to return to the current position.

See also the solitaires Stjernen, Spider and Nitten studenter.

Rules

For this game two regular packs of 52 cards are shuffled together making a total of 104 cards. All free cards in the layout and the top card in the upturned pile are movable. Only one card can be moved at a time. The aces are moved into the eight free spaces between the two parts of the layout thus forming foundations on which you build following suit up to the king. On the free cards in the layout you may build down regardless of suit. An empty space in the layout can only be filled with a king. When all cards have been moved to the foundations the game is won.

Interface

Simply "click" on a free card, and drag it to the wanted position. When the mouse button is released, the card will be transferred if a legal move has been made. By "clicking" on the stock (the cardback image) a new card will be flipped. To start a deal press the <SPACE> bar. If for any reason the playing area is not painted correctly, press "R" to repaint it.

A note on the code

The applet on this page requires a JDK 1.1 compatible browser. Both Netscape Communicator 4 (and above), and Internet Explorer 4 (and above) will work. If your browser doesn't directly support Java, you may download the Java Plugin.

A note on Java

Java is extremely well suited for interactivity on the Internet. For example after the cards needed for the applet on this page have been loaded, you may disconnect from the net and still play as many deals as you like as long as you don't leave the applet page. On the other hand the lack of explicit pointers in Java means it can't really compete with other languages when it comes to developing large scale programs.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

^^BACK<<

Last updated 18-March-2006 by Paal Olstad <p-olstad@online.no>