Matrix Code Simulator Applet

I wrote the applet shown below which simulates the scrolling text seen in the Matrix movie. This applet was rated as high as #9 on Java Boutique's most popular applets list. It's also rated as a "Top 1%" jar at Jars.com

NOTE: This applet requires Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 1.4.1 or higher. You can download the most recent JRE from java.sun.com. It might work on some earlier JREs, but I know it works with the latest.

You can download this applet with source code here.

If you just want the jar file, click here.

Unable to display applet. Please go to java.sun.com to download and install the JRE 1.4.1.

You can use this applet to create a Matrix-style active desktop on Windows, by using the the following html file as your active desktop: activedeskmatrix.html. This file uses an applet size that fills a 1024x768 screen. If your screen resolution is different, change the height and width settings in the html file accordingly. Don't bother with this is you don't have a fast machine. It uses a lot of CPU.

I have had problems getting the applet working under active desktop in some environments, so don't be surprized if it doesn't work for you. Please don't ask me how to make it work because I have given up. It works fine on my W2K machines, but not on my Win98 machine and I have no idea why. If you know why, please let me know.

One person suggested that for Windows 98, you must copy the jar file into the Windows/Application Data/Microsoft/Internet Explorer directory. I suppose you have to also modify the html file to load the jar file from your local machine instead of from my server. I have not verified that this works.

Thanks goes out to David Leiva for suggesting using the Matrix applet as an active desktop background. Here is a screen capture to show what it looks like: