Hi Russel,Andy and Steve!
Happy New year ! (BTW ;-)
I understand what You are talking about, but maybe in future not every toaster will be equiped with HTTP server.
In this case to connect device (toaster or other type, without HTTP server, but with some serial port) to computer You will need some computer-side code between platform independent Java applet and serial cable. How far from OS-dependency can be this code? Something like Java subset for hardware access?!
A little example. On WinXP its not easy for non-Windows_native programm to access RS232 ports. If You compile TurboPascal programm with direct port access, this program will work on
DOS,Win311 and Win98 but not on WinXP AT-compatible computer.
But - IF You use BIOS functions , Your programm will work on XP too (i dont know about Vista). So BIOS give some OS-version-indepndency.
regards,
Stefan