I'm starting this wiki as a counter to the general belief that Java doesn't make good desktop applications. This started as a rant here: ( http://weblogs.java.net/pub/wlg/1230 ) and a second one here: ( http://weblogs.java.net/pub/wlg/1255 )

Please include all references to information that helps developers create better desktop applications. If there's something that doesn't exist but should, then add it, or at least ask for it. Thanks!

- joshua

• Packaging : tips and tools for Java Webstart, native EXEs, OSX .apps, linux binaries, and native installers.
• NativeHooks : control the dock, notification, rounded windows, registry hacks, and anything else that requires access to the native operating system
• SwingComponents : advanced components like the Tree Table, Date Pickers, and Color Choosers, plus other enhancements to standard Swing components
• Custom LookAndFeels
• LayoutManagers : custom layout managers and other tools for assisting with layout.
• SwingFrameworks : complete frameworks for building applications.
• BuildersAndTools : GUI builders, RAD tools, and IDEs; included XML -> GUI toolkits

• ThreadingIssues: toolkits to make dealing with Swing's threading issues much easier.
• Internationalization and Localization
  • Sun's i18n trail http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/i18n/index.html
  • Add-on to save time: http://uic.sf.net/index.phtml?target=product/internationalisation/view.phtml
• MediaToolkits : libraries and toolkits for working with many graphics formats, audio, video, PDFs, report generation, and 3D.
• Documentation: Java Docs, APIs, Trails, and Articles. Plus tools to help with generating documentation.
• Icons And Graphics : reusable icons, clipart and graphics you can integrate in to your application.
• Other useful sites
  • JavaDesktop developer community: http://javadesktop.org/
• GUI Testing TestingGUIApplications
• WorkArounds for known bugs

WishList

• stuff we'd like to see. features for new libraries, bugs to be fixed, new JCPs to be started.