I believe the reason is to help ensure security. If you download a Java application on a network you don't necessarily want it go poking around on your local system. The JVM runs in it's own memory space and does it's best to ensure an application cannot access memory outside that space. This helps to prevent unscrupulous coders from lodging a virus in your system memory which could write itself to your boot directory or do other damage. ------------------ Jane The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiousity. -- Dorothy Parker