If you are interested in using the latest SUN Java Runtime Environment on your openSUSE 10.x then add the following repository to your Yast’s Installation Source:

For example if you have openSUSE 10.2

Server Name: repos.opensuse.org

Directory on Server: Java:/addon:/test/openSUSE_10.2

For other versions of distribution, change 10.2 to the version that corresponds to your installation - 10.1 and SLE_10 (for SLED and SLES). Certain new applications may require latest 1.6 JRE and take benefit of new features and speed. I did an update

andmy Java applications such as Azureus, BlogBridge run nicely including the Java-plugin in Firefox as pictured below:

General info on latest Java from Sun:

This version of the Java 2 Runtime Environment (Java RE) is supported on Intel Pentium platforms running the Linux kernel v 2.2.12 and glibc v2.1.2-11 or later. A minimum of 32 megabytes RAM are required. Recommended 48 megabytes of RAM, 16-bit color mode with KDE or the Gnome desktop and in conjunction with displays set to local hosts.