Some really useful links about Java Serialization and how has it evolved:-
http://download.oracle.com/javase/7/docs/api/java/io/Serializable.html
http://download.oracle.com/javase/1.3/docs/guide/serialization/spec/serial-arch.doc10.html#4539
http://java.sun.com/developer/technicalArticles/ALT/serialization/
http://www.javaworld.com/community/node/2915
http://download.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/javabeans/persistence/index.html
