Since September 24, 2008, Apple is distributing its most current Java update "Java for Mac OS X 10.5 Update 2". It updates, for Mac OS X 10.5 "Leopard", the Java versions J2SE6 and J2SE5 – both suitable for the COW – to versions 1.6.0_07 and 1.5.0_16, respectively.  See also here: http://www.cms.playcatan.com/content/view/182/37/lang,en_US/

Regrettably, the above-mentioned Java update produces incompatibility with the Catan Online World, giving rise to very frequent and abrupt crashes of the COW client. (Note: The problem occurs only on Apple computers, not when the COW runs on Windows or Linux.)

We are currently trying our best to find a workaround for this problem. So far, we were able to narrow the problem down to the emission of game sounds. Meanwhile, you have only two possibilities:

• Either you do not install the "Java for Mac OS X 10.5 Update 2" for the moment.
  However, if you already installed the Update 2: To our knowledge, downgrading to the previous version is not possible.
• Or you deactivate the sound inside(!) the COW client by clicking on the speaker symbol in the button bar.

For your information: The Java update "Java for Mac OS X 10.4, Release 7" – which updates, for Mac OS X 10.4 "Tiger", the Java version J2SE5 to version 1.5.0_16 as well – seems to be immune to this problem. Therefore, if you still use Mac OS X 10.4 "Tiger," you may confidently install this update.