Possible bug with Oxygen and new Mac OS X Java Update

[JLipps]

As soon as I installed the most recent set of updates for Mac OS X, I noticed something strange about Oxygen. I use it mostly to transcribe text into TEI-like XML documents, and so I do a lot of typing in it. I noticed that, randomly, but typically at least once every 2-5 seconds, the editor window would flicker.

What I mean by "flicker" is that the entire screen would go blank for a brief instant (making it look as if all the text had suddenly disappeared), and then it would be back again. It doesn't really interfere with the mechanics of typing--keystrokes sent during a "flicker" seemed to get into the editor alright--but it is an annoying thing, and causes me to lose my place in the editor visually while I am typing.

The problem existed after a number of restarts, and also whether or not other software was running at the same time. My guess is it is either because of the new Java VM for Mac OS X, or possibly the new graphics drivers that came out for the ATI cards in the same update. Although, the problem seems peculiar to Oxygen at this point.

If anyone else is experiencing this problem and has been able to fix it, let me know. I'd be happy to provide further system settings if requested.

-Jonathan Lipps

[JLipps]

In my last post, I said that the entire screen flickered. This is incorrect: only the editor window of Oxygen flickers.

[george]

Hi Jonathan,

Thanks for reporting this problem. We were able to reproduce the behavior on a Mac with the latest system and Java updates and we are trying to find the cause of the problem. FWIW, we tested also some other Java application on that Mac and noticed the same behavior. Anyway I hope we will be able to find the cause of this problem and then a workaround to solve it on our end.

Best Regards,
George

[JLipps]

George,

Thanks for getting back so quickly. I hope if you do find any more out about this problem (and we were able to get the problem using another Java editor program as well), that you will keep us updated!

-Jonathan

[catterall]

I haven't noticed this on MacOS 10.2.8, but that only supports the first of the java updtes - the second is for 10.3.5
Ron