multiple issues with spring tool suite 3.6.3 release

Question

I have wanted to learn Spring MVC and I took look at javavids - YouTube, I wanted to follow along with this series but I have multiple problems/issues First I rebuild the Global repo in Maven Repositories

Solved

then I created Maven project but structure in videos was

but I have this instead

Solved

OK now I want to add plugins to pom.xml but getting this dialog in videos it shows :

UPDATE

I don't get any plug-in to select from

Solved
I also have compiler compliance when I set compiler to java 1.7 then I get
Solved

and at last when I tried to update STS 3.6.3 It freezes and shows
OK
I have proxy settings as

Update I make changes and add dependency according to this Answer
I get this error:

Now I don't see resources which can help me to get these remaining issues resolved! any help is highly appreciated.

Answer 1

First maven default compiler level is set to 1.5. In order to set it to 1.7 either configure maven-compiler-plugin

<plugin>
        <groupId>org.apache.maven.plugins</groupId>
        <artifactId>maven-compiler-plugin</artifactId>
        <version>3.3</version>
        <configuration>
          <source>1.7</source>
          <target>1.7</target>
        </configuration>
</plugin>

or add the following properties.

<properties>
    <maven.compiler.source>1.7</maven.compiler.source>
    <maven.compiler.target>1.7</maven.compiler.target>
</properties>

After setting java version press Alt+F5 to update maven project.

In order to search for dependency or plugins go to Window -> Preferences -> Maven and check Download repository index update on startup

Restart STS, wait for index updates to complete.

Regarding your project structure check do have <packaging>war</packaging> in your pom.xml. By default it will be jar type.

Answer 2

then I created Maven project but structure in videos was

You be able to switch the perspective in the ide (eclipse). In the video that is the Java EE-Perspective.

That what you got is the Spring-Perspective, don't worry about that.

Window -> Open Perspective

OK now I want to add plugins to pom.xml but getting this dialog

Ok, what is wrong with that?

If you searching for a dependency on MVN Repository there you got all informationen to fill out the informations you see in the dialog. Otherwise you can open the pom-file and paste the dependency directly.

I also have compiler compliance

Assuming that you are using the m2e plugin in Eclipse, you'll need to specify the source and target versions as 1.7 for maven-compiler-plugin.

specify it with this:

<properties>
    <maven.compiler.target>1.7</maven.compiler.target>
    <maven.compiler.source>1.7</maven.compiler.source>
</properties>

And update your project Right click on project -> maven -> update project (Alt F5)

The network seems to be ok. Are you on a privat or office network?