I use Mandrake 9.1

I edited /home/mike/.bashrc to add the export command there. Simple and works like a charm.

##########
contents of old .bashrc
##########

# .bashrc

# User specific aliases and functions

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

##########
contents of edited .bashrc
##########

# .bashrc

# User specific aliases and functions

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

export JAVA_HOME=/usr/java/j2re1.4.2_03
export PATH=$JAVA_HOME/bin:$PATH

#########

Mike