Once king-of-the-hill Netscape, which has in recent times been reduced to a dismal 1% market share (compared with Internet Explorer’s 88%, and Firefox’s 9%), released its latest browser today, Netscape 8.0. The browser boasts two remedies for today’s Internet woes: phishing and spyware protection and a cure for incompatible web standards.
Tested by a million people over four months, Netscape 8.0 addresses the problem many surfers encounter when trying to view webpages with anything other than IE. The popularity of IE has caused scores of websites to use web standards unviewable by competing browsers.
So, in “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” spirit, the Netscape’s browser allows users to toggle between IE and Firefox for increased useability as well as security. The tabbed browsing feature of Firefox makes it that much more appealing.
But the real pearls presented by Netscape are the spyware and “phishing” protection not currently offered by other browsers.
Spyware is malicious programming that moles itself into a computer, increasing the risk of identity theft, and the annoyance of popup ads. Phishing is a newer and trickier phenomenon where criminals set up websites posing as the legitimate webface of banks and other institution. The con is complete when users enter their user names and passwords.
Netscape 8.0 includes a blacklist of malicious websites and warns surfers of potentially compromising activities. If a surfer proceeds, Java is diabled and cookies are denied.
Spyware is already addressed by many browsers and software providers, but Netscape’s anti-spyware protection runs differently. Instead of searching and destroying spyware once it’s in the system, Netscape 8.0 disallows installation in the first place.
Netscape general manager Jeremy Liew says, “Netscape 8.0 is designed for the millions of online users who are searching for a safer and better browser. Netscape 8.0 combines the best of all worlds by automatically adjusting browser and security settings based on which sites are likely to be safe and which might be dangerous.”
Netscape is a name that has been pushed to the back of surfers’ minds. The browser was launched in 1994 and soared to command 75% of web usage by 1996. But eventually, Microsoft proved too strong a competitor and took over the market with Internet Explorer. Bought by AOL for $10 billion in stock, AOL seems to have virtually ignored the browser until now.
Netscape’s creator, Marc Andreesen, comments realizes that market strategy and market share are key to achieving a top position.
“One of the fundamental lessons is that market share now equals revenue later, and if you don't have market share now, you are not going to have revenue later. Another fundamental lesson is that whoever gets the volume does win in the end. Just plain wins," said Andreesen.

I'm intrigued by the prospects and presume that Netscape will in due course offer me (for free, I hope) an upgrade from the 7.1 edition I presently have installed (even though, ahem, I use IE as my home page).
But way back when (1999 I think it was), I created my website with Netscape Composer and still use it for the ongoing fine tuning I've a habit of doing (at least once every month).
I also have no hesitation in saying that I think Composer is a joy to use. It's a WSWG editor and has none of the imperfections that I keep hearing apply to (is it?) Front Page etc.
But I am just wondering:
Does anyone know whether I'll be able to retain (the likes of) Composer?
Will I still have all the abilities it gives me?
And, although I seldom use Netscape for searches etc., it doesn't appear to make a scrap of difference regarding the way my site shows on IE etc., -- so is this, too, likely to remain the case?

Duncan

__________________
Acts as an Exclusive Buyer Broker for purchasers of residential, industrial, commercial, and investment properties in all parts of the Niagara Peninsula.
http://www.duncanpollock.com
http://www.iciniagara.com

Ok, so we’ve got a new web browser out. A few years ago, everyone would’ve been jonesin’ for the Netscape but now they’re really a non-entity. The once mighty browser pales in comparison to Microsoft’s Internet Explorer (IE) and even the much smaller Firefox by Mozilla.

The new Netscape browser gimmick is being able to switch between Firefox and IE inside the Netscape browser. They say you get the best benefits of both in one package. Why should I care? Firefox is free and has hit the 50 million-download mark. Microsoft comes loaded onto PCs already. Why would I need to another link to my desktop. Even though the download is free, I still need to be sold on the product because there’s tons of free garbage on the net.

"The browser is like a hybrid car that combines the usability of Internet Explorer with the security of Firefox," said Andrew Weinstein, a spokesman for America Online/Netscape.

IE control the lion’s share of the market at 86.63%, like Microsoft does with most of the things Bill Gates sticks his fingers into. Firefox is running solid at 8.69% although nowhere near the IE mark. Netscape has 1% of the market. Wow. Can I understate it further? wow. When Microsoft started packing IE into its Windows package, they began sealing the coffin of Netscape. This isn’t Netscape’s fault mind you. Microsoft got lucky when an inept federal judge couldn’t keep his mouth shut and Microsoft didn’t get cracked open.

Then AOL buys them and now AOL has a deal with Microsoft for using IE. Netscape really serves no purpose. The best thing AOL could do is end it. Heck, I used the old Netscape and I won’t go near it. As I said before, really… what IS the point?

I think its good that AOL is actually doing something with netscape, anything that can help take some market share away from microsloth is good, they have way to much power and any program that you can get for free that offers a decent alternative is a good way of affecting that control.
I like the idea of toggling between the two browsers as well if this catches on in open source browsers web designers could stop worring so much about being IE compatable and focus on correct web standards that usually improve usability. then Microsloth will have to make its IE more compatable with other browsers such as Mozilla to be able to keep its market hold. This will make web design easy (but maybe i am just dreaming).

__________________
Log Cabins - Sheds - More Cabins

The problem is that Microsoft and AOL have some arrangements made. I heard one speculation this may be to put a hurting on Firefox as much as anything. We'll see where it goes though.

I used netscape instead of IE in the past.

Then I discovered Netscape browser was powered by Mozilla and turned to this other one.

Mozilla as netscape offers the composer feature that I like a lot like Duncan does.

Now I don't see a reason why I should go back to Netscape when I am comfortable with Mozilla.

__________________
Text Links Exchange: MyLinkExchange.com
SEO Made Easy FREE ebook - Download it here
AdWords SUPER Tips