public String readParameter(String name, boolean required) {
    if (inAnApplet) {
      String s = getParameter(name);
      if ((s == null) && required) {
	fatalError(name + " parameter not specified");
      }
      return s;
    }

    for (int i = 0; i < mainArgs.length; i += 2) {
      if (mainArgs[i].equalsIgnoreCase(name)) {
	try {
	  return mainArgs[i+1];
	} catch (Exception e) {
	  if (required) {
	    fatalError(name + " parameter not specified");
	  }
	  return null;
	}
      }
    }
    if (required) {
      fatalError(name + " parameter not specified");
    }
    return null;
  }