I am now installing ubuntu 6.06 LTS on an old laptop and I need to
have the java sdk (i believe I need version JDK 5.0 Update 8)
installed for a java programming class I am starting this monday,
9/18/2006. I took a basic java class before (when I had a working pc
w/windows installed) so I am familiar with setting up the classpath,
etc., in windows, to be able to write java programs, but how is the
setup done in linux? All I really need is to have the java environment
up and running on ubuntu by monday, but I am a linux newbie, so I will
also need some fairly detailed instruction on what the steps would be
in linux to use a text editor to create the .java files, compile,
create html files, etc. But this can't be too difficult, right? One
restriction: I may not have internet access on the linux computer
since i can't get my linksys wireless card working with it yet, so i
will need the direct links of where I can obtain any needed software
(do i need to download the 'multiverse repository'?) using a windows
pc and then transfer it to the linux pc on cd. Let me know if this is
(or isn't) worth the price I have set. Thanks!!

I know it's a bit after when you asked this, so hopefully you've got
internet access working...

First step:
open up a command line. type sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list
(it will probably ask for your password)

That should open up a text mode editor. add these 2 lines to the top:
deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu dapper main restricted
deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu dapper universe multiverse 

then press ctrl+o (write Out) to save the file

Then press ctrl+x (eXit)

Then type sudo apt-get update
(wait a little while...)

Then, just type:
sudo apt-get install sun-java5-jdk 

That's it! you should now have java installed :D

To get a good programming editor / IDE, goto eclipse.org and download
the linux   zip file for that - extract it somewhere then just run it
- should be everything you need :)

Seb