In a Java update FAQ it mentions a new thing called Java Kernel: http://java.sun.com/javase/6/6u10faq.jsp#JKernel
It basically lets you install just the bare minimum components to run a Java program. I wanted to use this with my web applet so that people without Java could get up and running really fast.
However, I can’t find any information on it anywhere. There are no examples or tutorials that show how to use it. Does this still exist or am I missing something?
Yes. See this section on the Java RIA Deployment Advice page. It shows how to trigger the installation of the Java kernel for an applet.