Releasing the JRE

I have developed a GUI-based standalone Java application that I want to sell maybe as shareware. I want to package everything up with InstallShield and created a nice professional install set. What do I do with the JRE? Do I include Sun's install set within my install set? I am really kind of baffled. What is the "accepted" way of doing this?
Also, do I have to launch my Java app from the MSDOS prompt with the "java" command? It seems kluggie that an open MSDOS window has to sit open on the user's desktop while the GUI java app runs. I have had other "manufactured" Java apps that don't require an open MSDOS window. How do they do it?
Thanks!

do I have to launch my Java app from the MSDOS prompt with the "java" command?
No. javaw will run a Java app without the dos prompt displayed. Also, you might want to consider Creating an Executable JAR File that your users could simply double-click.

I have developed a GUI-based standalone Java application that I want to sell maybe as shareware. I want to package everything up with InstallShield and created a nice professional install set. What do I do with the JRE? Do I include Sun's install set within my install set? I am really kind of baffled. What is the "accepted" way of doing this?
For this one, I'm moving you over to the Intermediate forum...

Thanks! I like the idea of the executable JAR. I didn't know that was possible. But, what do I do with Sun's JRE install? Do I release that, and have users execute it, with my application install set?

With my releases, I provide instructions to the user to check and see if Java is installed and what version is installed (go to DOS Prompt and type "java -version"). I include the JRE installation with my program's installer and I tell them that they can download it from java.sun.com as well. Theoretically, I could have them check a box in my program's installer to install the JRE automatically, but I have them run it from the CD manually (since I doubt that very many of them would feel the need to download it).
I believe that this is the general way to do this, since SUN's license for the JRE is structured to permit just this sort of doings.

InstallSheild can be configured to check to see if the user already HAS a JRE and use that, but if not then install the one that you bundle with your application.
Try reading up on this in the InstallSheild documentation.