The Vector class works just fine. You need to limit your usage to methods
present in the 1.1 API and you need to compile using the -target and associated
options (see the "Cross-Compiling Options" section of the javac documentation).

Maybe even better, download JDK 1.1.8 and use that instead
(java.sun.com/.../index.html). You will need
this to be able to properly cross-compile from JDK 1.4 anyway. Make sure you
grab the documentation while you're there so you know what is available. You
can
get a WinHelp version of this documentation at
http://www.confluent.fr/javadoc/javadoce.html for easier searching.

If you need the Collections classes (List, ArrayList, etc.), you can download
the
Collections for JDK 1.1 by going to the bottom of the Infobus page
(http://java.sun.com/products/javabeans/infobus/).

Also notice that people using MacOS versions less than 10, can only run 1.1
applets as well, so it isn't just users of the MS VM that need this. Also note
that Microsoft is not licensed to supply a VM greater than version 1.1.4, so you
cannot put all of the blame on Microsoft. Neither MS's nor Sun's hands are
clean
in this mess.