Since you are CS student, I though you have this
fundamental already clear  by your instructor.

1. You need Java plug-in  to view  people webpage with
applet.

2. You have strike a million dollar question  dilemma
that is why Sun and Microsoft go to war. It is very
important to upgrade your Java plug-in. It is not
take very long time to download  on general. If you
live in an low-tech area, you need to go to your local
school and download from their line. Ask permission
first as always.

When the software shipped to customer, it usually
include the Java plug-in. But as you know the
technologies in IS evolt very fast pace in the hyper
speed, so the majority companies made those networking
guys -- one who carry cables running around the
building, upgrading internal user Java plug-in as part
of their job descriptions.

P.S. If you have time try to switch to IE because the
majority of the existing works done in IE.