I recently deployed an applet that seems to require Java 6 Update 24. I assume the reason for this requirement is the matching JDK version I used to create the applet (I am new to Java).

The fact that my applet requires a Java download/update for users who already have some version of Java installed is a big concern for me; the applets I'm creating slip into a web comic, so it's very disruptive. Having used the most recent version of Java, it seems as though I am able to assume that most of the readers I get will have to update Java to continue reading/playing.

Is there a best practice concerning which version of Java to use to make the process of using an applet easy for end-users? Any reading material on this would be very helpful. Should I be using an older version of Java if I don't require new features? I am using Slick for 2D games.