J2ME and (open source) applet signing for Mobile Devices (esp. phones) - what can I do?

I am afraid that you are fighting a battle that you can't win. Using the restricted APIs is getting harder and harder and this is not accidental. As you've read in the blog entry you've mentioned the biggest problem is the network operators.

Even if you buy a certificate from Verisign or Thawte (which is by the way cheaper), your application won't run in network operators branded phones, since these have their own CA rules.

The Java Tutorial has a section on signed applets that will lead you through the steps.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.