Message Manager

In light of the coming tightening up of Java security by Oracle (see my previous post), I have purchased a code signing certificate and started signing the nightly builds. To check for any compatibility issues, please try them out and see whether there are any problems running them.

If you find anything, let me know by email (my address is in the “Help” tab, under “Developer contact information”).

Please note that on Mac OS X 10.9 (Mavericks), the application will still appear to be unsigned (“from an unidentfied developer”) and the built-in security mechanism “Gatekeeper” will refuse to open the application. The reason for this is that Gatekeeper only accepts code signing certificates issued by Apple. You can get around this by right-clicking on the jnlp file and selecting “Open”. The dialog that pops up will have the option of running the application.

In hopes of recouping some of the cost for purchasing a code signing certificate, I have also added a Paypal Donate button to the website and the initial tab of the application. Please donate generously to support further developments!

Since Java 7 update 40 (or so), users have been getting scary security warnings with red text of the following form:

This is part of a new initiative by Oracle to increase the security of Java in the browser and cannot be disabled or dismissed (they removed the “don’t ask again” option). Starting with the January 2014 Java update, it will no longer be possible to run code that is not signed with a certificate issued by a recognized certificate authority.

Sonic Message Manager is free and I would like to keep it free. Since these certificates cost several hundred US$/year, I will probably change the distribution model away from Java Web Start and towards a more traditional “installer” based model. Suggestions on how to deal with this are welcome in the comments or by email.

There is now a nightly build for Sonic 2013 available on the download page. Please check it out and let me know if you find any problems. My e-mail address is available under “Developer Contact Information” on the help tab of Sonic Message Manager.