Java Network Launch Protocol (JNLP)
Well! JNLP is a protocol for being able to launch Java programs over the network. Java Web Start is used to accomplish this. You can use the Java Web Start method to deploy Java applications through a web browser. Once the application is downloaded from the web server it caches the application and you can even run the program offline. It also do the version monitoring and automatically downloads the newer version of the application.

• Suns's JNLP Developers Section
  The developer documentation has all the information you need to get started using the Java Web Start software.
     

• DeployDirector Bundler for JNLP 
  As a free client-side implementation of the JNLP standard, Sun's Java Web Start provides a great introduction to the potential of Java-based application deployment. Despite its promise, if you're charged with Java deployment, you're still responsible for developing application bundling and other server-side operations.
     

• Download Java Web Start
  You can always download the latest version of Java Web Start from here.
      

• Download Java Web Start for Linux
  From here you can download the Linux Version of Java Web Start.
     

• Java Web Start FAQ's
  Here you will find answer to all your Java Web Start problem.
       

• JNLP Article
  Java Web Start is a one-click Java application launch system. It takes care of downloading and installing a JVM if one is not already present on the target system.
    

• Client-side Java makes a comeback 
  Java Web Start, a new product from Sun, aims to breathe life back into client-side Java. Just released from Sun, Java Web Start brings client-side Java back to the forefront. This exciting new technology promises to pick up where applets left off when it comes to deploying and running applications over the network.
      

• Silk Demorunner Java Webstart Application
  Live example of Java Webstart Applicaton
     

• Introducing Java Web Start Technology 
  Grate Java Web Start Tutorial. Visit the tutorial to learn more about Java Webstart.
     

• SUN MICROSYSTEMS FURTHER INVIGORATES CLIENT SIDE JAVA(TM) TECHNOLOGY WITH JAVA (TM) WEB START SOFTWARE Singapore, March 16, 2001 -- Sun Microsystems, Inc. today announced the First Customer Ship (FCS) of Java Web Start software, a powerful technology that provides a way to easily deploy web-based Java applications with a single click.
    

• Java WebStart Demos
  A two dimensional drawing program allowing you to create rectangles, polygons, circles... 
  The SwingSet Demo
  A very swingin' app, this demo shows how Swing can be used to create fun and exciting applications using the Java Foundation Classes. 
  Military Game
  A simple but non-trivial board game. 
  A Simple NotePad
  Shows how a sandboxed application can save and load files, print, and access the clipboard in a safe and secure manner using the JNLP API. 
     

• Java(TM) Web Start Demos
  This is Java Web Start Demo which launches International Standard Atmosphere Calculator.
     

• Fantastic Java Applets
  Use Java Web Start to start locally cached applets and applications, by clicking on a URL in a browser.