Update: [mostly for Mike]

I have just installed the latest java 8 on a little NetBook running Windows 7
laser.jar and wire.jar both load and run

The NetBook is so excruciatingly slow that this proved futile; but I’m sure that Win 7 on a better PC should be fine.

MichaelG.
.

Incidentally; I consulted a ‘learned friend’ on Sunday, regarding the CPU load on the Mac
When he saw what was being done, and how speedily, he was very impressed ... and not at all surprised that this required 150%