Doug Melzer

I've tried a couple of these ideas, but the problem that I encounter is that if there are multiple .jar files on the classpath that I can't ensure I'm reading the desired manifest file.
Thanks for the suggestions!

I'd like to obtain a version number from a .jar file's manifest, but I'd like to do so without having to know the file location of the .jar file.
Is it possible, given a class that was loaded from the .jar file, to obtain a handle to that .jar file's manifest?

I too have read Mark Grand's book. One thing that I remember liking about the book was that it discussed the pattern, presented the UML, and also included a Java code implementation.

I used the Heller book. What I'd suggest is going to a bookstore and browsing the available books. There are a couple that provide an good overview of what's expected. If you are comfortable with most of the technologies, then you may want to just skip buying the book and focus your efforts on just learning more about the things you aren't familiar with.
There are many online resources that are available to focus on specific subjects (i.e. threading, read/write locks, etc.) JavaWorld usually has some very good articles.

Try using -Djava.rmi.server.codebase="..." to specify where the classes should be found.

I believe that there is value in achieving these certifications, but I've also seen a lot of posts from folks with little work experience expecting to land a job just because they are certified.
The main value to me in achieving the SCJP was that it provided an opportunity to study the language basics. I believe someone with little experience could pass the SCJP if they invest a little time studying the basics. The bottom line is that someone will need to spend some time studying the language or they're likely to fail the exam.
The SCJD I believe will be somewhat more difficult if you are inexperienced. Even with some experience, you may find that you need to learn more about a facet of the language that you may not normally encounter in your job (i.e. GUI, RMI, server design, etc.). I like the project because it exposes one to a number of design tasks and requires you to develop a small client/server system. Do the work yourself and you'll become more intimate with the language.
If you beg solutions from this message board and don't understand what you're doing then it will be very easy for a technical interviewer to expose you.
As others have mentioned, all things equal, certification may provide an edge.

I submitted my project in April. I took the exam the day after I submitted the project and had my results back within about one week.

Try specifying a protocol (i.e. file or http if you have a web server)
-Djava.rmi.server.codebase="file:/C:/WINDOWS/jbproject/certify/classes"

I'd recommend JBuilder 5 Personal (its free for non-commercial use).
http://www.borland.com

I also found that use of Ant to handle my builds and packaging tasks was very helpful.

Look into using the "java.rmi.server.codebase" property.
Use this property to define the location of any .class files that a client may need to access when it interacts with your server. On the server side, use this property when you run your server application that does the RMI binding.
The client should be able to download any .class files it needs including the Stub class.

Don't make the problem more difficult than descibed in the assignment. The server should just use one database. Any client connecting to that server would use a common database.

I'd recommend creating unit tests, but I wouldn't include them as part of your submission.

I'd recommend leaving them in the db package.

Ensure that when you start the rmiregistry you do so such that its classpath is undefined.

I submitted the exam some day in April, took the exam the following day and had my results within one week.