I've installed jdk1.5.0 and I believe I have it running properly, at least according to the test. Then I get to this step in the instructions and I think I understand but I just want to make sure.

Do I just place the following anywhere inside /etc/profile, does it matter where it is or just as long as it is in there. When it talks about $HOME is it talking about /root/.bashrc and /root/.bash_profile?

All you need to do is edit your .bashrc file in your home folder for each user. It is the easiest way to do it. Here is my file.

# .bashrc

# User specific aliases and functions

# Source global definitions
if [ -f /etc/bashrc ]; then
. /etc/bashrc
fi

export PATH=$PATH:/usr/java/jre1.5.0_03/bin

Then close the terminal and reopen it and try this command (of course substitute where you have installed Java).

java -version

and it should give you something like this:

[ryan@localhost ~]$ java -version
java version "1.5.0_03"
Java(TM) 2 Runtime Environment, Standard Edition (build 1.5.0_03-b07)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 1.5.0_03-b07, mixed mode, sharing)
[ryan@localhost ~]$

You can place your script in /etc/profile.d, name it something like java.sh and make it executable.