> Iptables comes with the kernel? or does the kernel merely contain > support, and then an additional program sorta, jacks into that > support? The second description is correct. Netfilter is the kernel support for firewalls, and iptables is the userspace tool which 'jacks' into the kernel. > > Is there a reason why after running a firewall i might not be able to > start java applications (eg jEdit 4.1) - I get a splash screen but it > just sits there. this is using Java 1.4.2_01 (as shipped with > Slackware 9.1) It could be that you are blocking traffic to or from 'lo' or localhost. Make sure that you leave this alone. I know that java often uses ports for various mickel-muck. Anyways, also does port 6000 work correctly? Maybe if you described your base rules, I could tell you where you're problem is originating from.
