Rationale behind Java Development

Java is slow

Use it on client only for visualization

Java is changing

Use a zero-administration mechanism for the client (Netscape browser with JDK 1.1)

Make integration with browser elements a priority as opposed to with other Java applets. (LiveConnect usage)
Present application-like behavior.
Getting functionality and behavior right is more important than getting it running fast

Clients keep getting faster
Altering code to correct behavior is more difficult that doing the same to increase speed

Avoid feature creep. This reduces file size implying

smaller download time
smaller jar dearchival time