Hi PJaesMom, very few sites require the Java plugin; maybe old games on Pogo.com? If it's a modern site, it's more likely to be talking about JavaScript. In that case, JavaScript is built into Firefox and if a site says JavaScript isn't enabled, that might be caused by a content blocker. More on that later.

Java Plugin

The last version of Firefox for Windows that runs the Java plugin is the Extended Support Release of Firefox 52, in the 32-bit version. This article has more info on that: Why do Java, Silverlight, Adobe Acrobat and other plugins no longer work?

I suggest just using Internet Explorer 11 for sites that require the Java plugin.

JavaScript

JavaScript is enabled by default. However, sites might think it is disabled if they are blocked from using it by a content blocker. As the first step in troubleshooting, please:

Double-check content blockers: Firefox's Tracking Protection feature and extensions that counter ads and tracking may break websites that weren't built to operate normally without the blocked components.

Do you see a shield icon toward the left end of the address bar, near the lock icon? More info on managing the Tracking Protection feature in this article: What happened to Tracking Protection?.

Extensions such as Adblock Plus, Blur, Disconnect, Ghostery, NoScript, Privacy Badger, uBlock Origin or uMatrix should provide toolbar buttons to manage blocked content in a page. There may or may not be a number on the icon indicating the number of blocked items; you may need to click the button to see what's going on and test whether you need to make an exception for this site.

jscher, thanks for the quick reply.

I do know the difference between Java and javascript. This is not an old site; it is Boston University Online, which uses Blackboard for its online courses. And Blackboard, in turn, uses the Java plugin.

You answered my question with "use Internet Explorer." Thanks, but I think I'll go with Chrome. <sigh>

PJaesMom said

You answered my question with "use Internet Explorer." Thanks, but I think I'll go with Chrome. <sigh>

Chrome and Edge don't run the Java plugin, either.

Are you sure the plugin is required? This page makes it sound as though it's only needed for a multiple-file uploader:

https://help.blackboard.com/Learn/Student/Getting_Started/Browser_Support#java-and-other-browser-plugins_OTP-3

PJaesMom said

You answered my question with "use Internet Explorer." Thanks, but I think I'll go with Chrome.<sigh>

Chromium, Chrome, and Opera dropped support of NPAPI Plugins completely back in Sept 2015 which means no Java Plugin from Oracle will run in Chrome versions since.

Even Oracle is in process of discontinuing their vulnerable Java Plugin (NPAPI) for some time now as Java version 9 does not have it however Java version 8 does still.

jscher2000, Thanks for the Blackboard link. I assume it's necessary because the university's orientation course begins with a section on "Setting up your computer" and "Supported Web Browser," which emphasizes the need for Java. They tell me I should use "Firefox (Final Release Channel)," whatever that means. When I click on the link BU provides, I just get the message, "Congrats! You’re using the latest version of Firefox." Sure. That's just great. [BU also recommends IE 10 or Chrome (Stable Release Channel)--again, whatever that means.] I'm waiting to hear back from BU Tech Support, which doesn't operate on weekends. Thanks again.

Hi PJaesMom, the release channel is the regular version, not beta, developer, canary, nightly, or other pre-release versions. Most likely, you have the release versions unless you went out of your way to install a different version.

If the browser support page mentions Internet Explorer 10, then you might be using an older version of Blackboard.

"If the browser support page mentions Internet Explorer 10, then you might be using an older version of Blackboard." ... or an old version of the orientation tutorial. I guess I'll find out on Monday, and if that's the case, some poor techie is going to get an earful. You've been very helpful.