If you fancy using BlueJ on Mac OS X, head over to bluej.org and grab the stable version for Mac OS X. Once downloaded you will have the BlueJ folder, just put this where you keep your other apps. This is a stock BlueJ install so you will need to add the OU components.
Instructions
1. Right click, or control click if you have a single button mouse on the BlueJ icon. Select the option “Show Package Contents” this will open a window with a folder named “Contents”.
2. Navigate to the userlib folder Contents > Resources > Java > userlib.
3. Pop in the Course software CD, at the root of the CD is a folder named “libraryfiles” go inside here and copy the files bsh-2.0b4.jar and ou.jar to the userlib folder opened in the last step.
4. Next navigate to the folder Contents > Resources > Java > extensions.
5. From the root of the course CD copy the jars “eaextension.jar” and “ouwextension.jar”.
6. In the Finder navigate to the folder named Library in the root of your hard drive and scroll down to the folder Java, copy the same two jars bsh-2.0b4.jar and ou.jar
to the folder named Extensions.
Quick listing:
Inside BlueJ application bundle:
Resources > Java > extensions should contain the following:
eaextension.jar
ouwextension.jar
Inside BlueJ application bundle:
Resources > Java > userlib should contain
bsh-2.0b4.jar
ou.jar
In the Library Folder in the Hard Drive and not in your home folder.
/Library/Java/Extensions should contain the following:
bsh-2.0b4.jar
ou.jar
Thats it done. Now your good to go!
Note: I have seen another site that says to put bsh-2.0b4.jar and ou.jar in /System/Library/Frameworks/JavaVM.framework/Versions/1.5.0/Home/lib/ext/ this location is the actual Java system and should not really be touched. The Location /Library/Java/Extensions is the official location for additional jars and classes specified by Apple, all extensions are loaded when the JavaVM is started up. Another advantage of this approach is that if Apple updates the Java installation which is common this location is static and will just work with future versions.
If you want some more info, or find this useful leave me a comment.
38 Comments
Hi there,
Ok first you need to be running OS 10.4 with all the updates including the Java ones. Inside the BlueJ application package follow the folder trail Resources > Java and in here there are two folders of interest, one is extensions which must contain copies of eaextension.jar and ouwextension.jar. Then go back a level and in the userlib folder you must have bsh-2.0b4.jar and ou.jar. Thats the setup for BlueJ. Next make sure you have bsh-2.0b4.jar and ou.jar in the folder /Library/Java/Extensions. The /Library folder is the one in the root of you hard drive and not the one in your home folder. Next launch BlueJ and under the Tools menu you should see “OUWorkspace”. Thats it all done. Let me know how you get on, I have got a mac os x installer I made for this but I don’t think the OU would be too happy about me putting it about. I could email it you if your still stuck.
Posted at 4:16 pm September 4, 2007
I’ve put the relevant files in the directories as instructed and OUWorkspace does appear as an option in the BlueJ menu, it just doesn’t bring the workspace up.
What am I missing?
Thanks,
Guy
Posted at 3:24 pm September 4, 2007
Fantastic!
Thanks Paul.
I hadn’t put the two files in Java/Extensions/ Doh!
Hooray, I can do my assignment on my lovely to use Mac!
Best wishes,
Guy
Posted at 4:50 pm September 4, 2007
I just stumbled across this while starting to work out how to install OUWorkbench on my wifes mac… 5 mins later and job done so a big thank-you!
Martin
Posted at 7:49 pm January 29, 2008
Saw this install routine in the M255 forums and now have BlueJ for the OU up and running on my lovely iMac. Now I do not have to start my ancient and wheezing Toshiba laptop.
Thank you very much
Peter Schofield
Posted at 9:15 am February 24, 2008
Thanks for this – got BlueJ up and running straight away on my iMac, saving me the pain of booting into Windows to do M255.
Matthew
Posted at 4:53 pm March 2, 2008
Thanks a million! I’m going on a 3 weeks holiday and my assignment is not finished – only have an ibook laptop that I can take with me. (Yeah I know, but it has to be done!) You’ve probably saved me from dropping out of my course!
Posted at 6:26 pm June 26, 2008
Found this a doddle to do so thanks for this. However currently getting the following error message every time I run an OU script:
java.io.FileNotFoundException: /Documents/Open University/M255/M255_TMA02_08J/M255_TMA02_08J/TMA02_Project_Q1_Solution/backup.txt (Operation not permitted): /Documents/Open University/M255/M255_TMA02_08J/M255_TMA02_08J/TMA02_Project_Q1_Solution/backup.txt (Operation not permitted)
Can not see anything that I have missed from your instructions. Currently running BlueJ 2.5.0 on Leopard 10.5.6
Posted at 7:20 am January 19, 2009
That doesn’t look like a blue/j error i.e from the OU libraries not loading, looks more like some error in the project supplied to you or that you’ve created. The exception is calling for the backup.txt file. I would get the source and make a new project with the source code and try that.
Posted at 7:29 am January 19, 2009
Definitely works recreating the file from the source code so thanks for that suggestion. A little confused as to what is causing this as the backup.txt file is definitely in the same folder as the project itself. The other issue this has thrown up is the lack of graphical display for some files. If the original OU file is used then the OU workspace generates the graphical display option. If I recreate the file from scratch then that is lost in the new file. Seems like a choice between two issues here!
Posted at 7:22 am January 20, 2009
I’m pretty sure there used to be an option to turn off the making of those backup files. Sorry haven’t used BlueJ since I did M255 a while back. Not all projects will have graphics so really depends, normally if the code was trying to call some graphics library and that wasn’t found then you’ll know about it. I’m not really sure without looking at the code from the original and the new project. If you want me to take a look use the contact form for the code http://www.phasenoise.co.uk/contact
Posted at 7:43 am January 20, 2009
congenialAnimal Just had a look at my old projects from M255 and the OU supplied projects have some additional dependencies in the projects, this means that if you make a new project and don’t move the libraries to it then you wont get the graphics. Best bet would be to open the original project and find the setting to turn off the make backup file thingy or just delete the backup.txt and see what happens. I don’t have blue/j installed any longer so can’t give you a firm “do this” reply unfortunately. Have you tried the other project files supplied by the OU to see if it is isolated to this particular project? Either way it sounds like blue/j is running correctly. We just need to find out whats causing you this problem :)
Posted at 8:05 am January 20, 2009
Help!
BlueJ was setup and running fine thanks to this site, but now am having major problems!!
I have installed NetBeans 6.5 for course M257 with the OU (complete waste of time as I can only use 4.1, and no matter what I do I can not get 4.1 to run!) However, this seems to off “knocked out” my BlueJ installation. BlueJ still opens and the editor is working, but I have lost javadoc and more importantly the OUWorkspace so I can not debug / test any code! Does anyone have any ideas for a fix?
Thanks for the help,
Posted at 8:04 pm February 4, 2009
For Blue/J just check all the file locations. Also If your doing M257 why are you using Blue/J? Installing Netbeans as I described shouldn’t make any difference as netbeans is self contained.
I used Netbeans 6 for M257 and never had a problem, I’m sure the tutors are also running newer software. The code you submit in the TMA is what gets marked, I just included the built projects and personally never had a problem.
Posted at 8:20 pm February 4, 2009
Within the course forums they are quite adamant that version 4.1 must be used due to a difference in the way projects are saved down.
I am using BlueJ at the same time as my M255 course is still continuing
Thanks again for the help
Posted at 8:54 pm February 4, 2009
Well not quite sure then, like I said I never personally had a problem. You can download Netebeans 4.1 and use that, I started with it and got fed up with it and switched to 6 and now 6.5. For bluej just follow the instructions and you should be good to go. When you do a build in Netbeans the src is in the project and the compiled binary is in dist that should really do to prove your work. Best to do whatever suits you really.
Posted at 9:14 pm February 4, 2009
Hi, gr8 post thanks for posting. Information is useful!
Posted at 6:10 pm June 12, 2009
Thanks for the guide, was really useful and works great!
Posted at 3:40 pm September 18, 2009
Hi,
I’m due to start M257 shortly. I have a macbook running os x. I have NetBeans 6.7 & 4.1 installed. Course notes say you have to submit TMAs in 4.1 format. Can you clarify what you did when you took M257? Did you somehow convert the projects from 6 to 4.1? Or did you just send them off without any change? I’ve tried opening projects created in 6.7 using 4.1 and get errors.
My other concern is I’m struggling to find a Mobile Pack download for 4.1 (I have it for 6.7). I understand this is required for some of M257. Assuming this is in one of the TMAs again I’m interested if you did any conversion from NetBeans 6 to submit your work.
Posted at 7:15 pm September 21, 2009
MarkR I just used the latest version of Netbeans and just sent the stuff off, I never got a complaint, you’ll only get told it won’t open if the tutor is sticking to the OU bit of using 4.1, if thats the case I would just export the source to 4.1 and re-submit. Your posting most of the code in the TMA anyhow and I doubt the tutors actually bother running the stuff or loading every ones stuff up in netbeans anyway. As for the Mobile stuff it was an extra i.e not in the TMA’s and I never bothered with it really apart from skimming it at some point. Not really into Mobile apps. Hope that helps.
Posted at 7:05 pm September 22, 2009
thank you! that actually works for me :D!
Posted at 1:59 am October 23, 2009
I’ve just included your post link as the source of info. I really don’t know why it came here as three pingbacks!
I’m really sorry about the mess, and thanks for the instructions.
Posted at 11:27 am October 29, 2009
Ello,
I followed this guide – worked like a charm – I get to keep my Mac!
My course (M255) text is asking me to ‘Select OU Class Library from the BlueJ Help menu’, and it’s not there! I’m brand new to Java.
So how can I access the class library? Or am I just completely missing something really simple..
Cheers for any help!
Posted at 5:11 pm November 12, 2009
Ah, a little more time playing around with BlueJ and I’ve worked it out.
Cheers anyway!
Posted at 5:54 pm November 12, 2009
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Posted at 6:47 pm June 18, 2010
I know this hasn’t been used for a little while but the topic is still relevant, so i hope someone can help me out.
I’ve got the whole thing working but when i run the OUWorkspace i get a number of errors be for it runs.
like this: bsh.ParseExecptionParse error at line 1, column 8 *
where i’ve put the * i get the name of an application author and the error go through all the apps in my applications folder.
once i’ve pushed the ok button 30 odd times i get to use to OUWorkspace and all looks to work okay.
I would like to get rid these messages, any ideas?
Thanks.
GK
Posted at 1:40 pm November 12, 2010
Thats a bean shell error, check you have it installed correctly.
Posted at 11:12 pm November 13, 2010
Some bits were changed in OS 10.6 Snow Leopard, maybe I should update the post to reflect any changes.
Posted at 11:14 pm November 13, 2010
Hi – thanks for this. I’m just starting M255 and BlueJ is now up and working.
I was wondering how you got round the Star Office application or as its now called Oracle Open Office. Is this vital in the course? I don’t seem to be able to locate a MAC OSx version…
Thanks
J
Posted at 8:35 am December 31, 2010
Not really vital if you have some other word processor, OpenOffice has been on Mac OS X for years, there is also LibreOffice which is fork of OpenOffice which I what I use.
OpenOffice and LibreOffice are both fine, and both native on the Mac.
Posted at 10:44 am December 31, 2010
Hi – thanks for this. Actually I have Microsoft Office so I guess I’m fine.
One more question. What about the Accounts World and the Amphibian World? I’ve just read about these in the installation guide which is of course for PC only. I don’t seem to have these installed?
Thanks
J
Posted at 9:26 am January 14, 2011
Well it’s been 5 years since I did M255, but all the projects are in a folder together on the CD, just move them to your computer some place. All the stuff is on the CD. Have fun.
Posted at 4:56 pm January 14, 2011
Hi Paul,
I followed the instructions, but it won’t work for OS 10.6.8,
could you help me out, please?
Posted at 7:25 pm January 14, 2012
Hello Paul,
You mentioned some things changed for snowleopard,
could you please update with the changes for OS 10.6.8?
Thanks
Y
Posted at 9:13 pm January 14, 2012
Hi there, what specifically isn’t working? The only real changes in 10.6 / 10.7 are the change from Java 5 to 6. As long as you follow the bit about putting the files in /Library/Java/Extensions there should be no real problem.
Posted at 5:54 am January 15, 2012
Hi Paul,
The files are in the correct place, but the extensions do not load. When checking in help-installed ext. it shows the submitter extension only. Also, I tried it with 3.0.6, 2.2.1, 2.5.0 and another version, it did not work. A friend tried it on his mac as well, also running 10.6.8
He managed to make the workspace appear in the tools menu, but it did not work either. He placed the files in some other location, but I do not know where exactly.
Thank you for your help, much appreciated!
Yvonne
Posted at 11:55 am January 16, 2012
There is an official mac version of BlueJ available at http://www.bluej.org/download/download.html
Posted at 2:36 pm January 16, 2012
Hi the standard version of Blue/J isn’t setup the way needed for the course.
Posted at 2:53 pm January 16, 2012