I downloaded and built the JXTA source but I still get the VerifyError. I wanted to point the JSwat debugger at it but it wouldn't start due to Exception in thread "main" javax.xml.parsers.FactoryConfigurationError: Provider for javax.xml.parsers.DocumentBuilderFactory cannot be found. Gotta fix that.

On top of the Java Language Specification, I started reading a borrowed copy of Java Security, 2nd Edition. It covers both JVM security, which is the scope of the problem above, and cryptography, which I will be using for some projects with digital signatures and encryption.

After some false starts I was able to build the Apache Formatting Objects Processor. Its main use is to convert XML documents into PDF. I'm looking at extending it for a project. The source structure is quite understandable, so I should get something done soon.

We had a good, well-attended session for PinoyJUG last night. The topic was Java Native Interface (JNI). I was able to assist by typing in the samples and building them even if I don't know JNI and have no use for it yet.

Are you stuck in high-tech hell? Though the circumstances are different, tech workers around the world can relate!