Official Java Resources:

• java.sun.com
  This is the most official and important java site.
  The site has a wide range of information about Java. However, not all information is important for a general developer. So, I make a list of highlights here:
  
  • Java Runtime Environment (JRE), Java Development Kit (JDK) -- for download only
    If you want to run Java Applications, you need one of above packages. If you want to write a Java Application, you need a JDK (or another Java Programming Package such as IBM's Visual age for Java, Sun's Java Workshop, etc.)
    
  • Java API document -- browse or download
    It is the most important document for programming in Java. It contains the specification of the entire API and its classes and its methods in Java's core API.
    
  • Java Class Library -- browse and download
    The Java API document gives you only the specification. But, what if you want some explanations and examples? Here you are: the Book, Java Class Library, gives you just what you want. It features 600+ of examples and explanations covering most of the core Java API. However, only the examples are available for browse or download. If you want more, you need to buy the book.
    
  • Java Language Specification -- browse or download
    If you are an intermediate Java programmer, you would like to have a look at it.
    It is the definitive reference for the Java programming language, not yet updated for JDK 1.1, however. But, since the language specification changed slightly since Java 1.0. It is still very useful.
    
  • Other Java Documents and Books
    One of the good thing about Sun is that it prvoides a lot of resources for free to end users and developers.
    
  • Java Tutorial from SunSoft -- browse and download
    It is a very good tutorial for a java beginner.
    
  • Java 1.2 beta, Java Foundation Class (JFC), Swing
    Swing is a part of Java Foundation Class. And, Java Foundation Class is a part of Java 1.2.
    Swing is a new set of Java AWT widgets which are independent from the platform. For example, you can have Motif's look and feel application run on your Windows 95 machine. And, most of its widgets are even more powerful than windows 95/NT's counter parts. However, response times are noticeably slower than the current AWT.
    Java Foundation Class contains swing and much more, such as Java 2D, Drag and Drop Support.
    Java 1.2 contains the JFC and major improvements of classes in the other core packages.

• developer.java.sun.com
  This site has a lot of helpful information for a java developer. Accessing the site is free. However, they would like to know how many people are using their site and who they are. So, you must register as a member before you enter the site. It has many early accesses, Java's tutorial lessons, and some really cool technical documents and free books for download (some of books can be found in java.sun.com, but most technical documents is exclusively located there)

• Gamelan
  It claims that it is "The Official Directory for Java" and has Sun's logo somewhere in the site. So, I count it as an official resource. You will find many differenent information, documents, applets and applications in its well-classified directory. If you're looking for some special effects applets to enhance your web page, it site have a directory for you.

Unofficial Java Resource:

• IBM Java Sites -- www.ibm.com/java
  A good genral java information source with excellent and very update java's news.
  
• Java Lobby -- www.javalobby.org
  People in Java Lobby share a common goal of creating new free software for Java. It site has many java news as well. They are currently working on a Java operating system and some applications for Java.
  
• JARS -- www.jars.com
  Java Rating system -- It reviews and rates many java applets and applications every month.

Java Magazines:

• Java World -- www.javaworld.com
  Among many of the online Java magazines, I like this magazine most. This layout is so simple that it actually saves you a lot of time of searching articles. And, I find that its technical articles answer my questions in deep detail and at the same time it articles are never too long.
  However, it doesn't have enough Java news to satisfy me.
  And, the "email alerts form on new articles" is too troublesome to fill in.
  
• Java Pro -- www.java-pro.com
  It magazine has some articles about coding technique in deep, including special data structures, pattern matching, etc. It is a very technical Java magazine. (Similar to Dr Dobb, but in Java)
  
• Java Report -- www.javareport.com
  It sites has some good technical articles, java's news, java product review's, a chatroom, a Job board, etc.
  
• Java Developers Journal -- www.javadevelopersjournal.com
  
• http://www.intelligence.com/java/

Java Newsgroups and Chat rooms:

• www.developer.com/discussions
  newgroup and chatroom
  
• developer.java.sun.com
  newgroup and chatroom
  
• www.javareport.com
  chatroom