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Yes, we considered that, but it has two problems:
1. Webstart requires Java 1.2.2.
About 49% of users are still running an older version. Requiring that they download Java 2 in order to use our client isn't an option. The barrier to entry has to be as low as possible, given that a text interface is already doing overtime as a barrier to entry for most people.
2. Webstart is a bit flakey. This isn't a black or white problem, of course, but for instance, Puzzle Pirates (a pretty solidly developed graphical mud) managed to crash on us the 2nd time we ran it due to Webstart problems.
Overall though, it's #1 that's the real problem. We may develop Nexus into a proper application, but until Java 2 is on 90%+ machines, we'll have to maintain a Java 1.1 compatible client as well.
--matt
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