I am trying not to install any Java SE products on my Mac with Mavericks. Is there any way to run Spectraview II(newest version) without installing Java?
The idea of avoiding Java completely is certainly understandable.
the main risk of Java is malicious code being executed while visiting on online site through a browser. I believe you can install the Java runtime on the machine, but disable the ability of browser (safari) to execute java, thus making it possible to run spectraview. You can do this in the Java preference pane, which affects all installed browsers. There is also a setting which allows you some control over which Java content, for example the highest setting Java will only be allowed to run applications identified by a valid certificate. If it is disabled in your browser then I believe the only java that can run are specific programs you launch, such as spectraview.
I do believe that since Apple has moved the responsibility for keeping Java updated to Oracle with Java 7, security updates from discovered vulnerabilities are much more timely. There is a lot of web content that requires java, and there are some legitimate Java applications such as spectraview (one big one in the photo industry is
ROES, used by almost every major lab as the portal to ordering prints. ) I’ve decided to enable it, but have it set to that highest security setting.
I may regret that some day but to be honest I’ve never been bitten by a Java breach in many many years, so I’m not overly concerned.