RSSNetscape Revived With Firefox Backing
By Nate Mook | Published November 16, 2004, 4:45 PM
Despite media reports and industry pundits over the years relegating Netscape to Internet history books, AOL has restarted the browser's development. The company plans to bring back a refreshed Netscape browser based on Firefox, which will incorporate an enhanced user interface and several new features.
A prototype of the new Netscape will debut on November 30 to a limited number of beta testers, AOL told BetaNews.
Netscape was last updated in August to version 7.2, which brought the browser up to date with Mozilla 1.7. But for the most part, Netscape has received little attention from AOL since the release of 7.0 in August 2002. The browser's market share has dropped to single digits as Microsoft's Internet Explorer reigned supreme.
But Firefox's surging popularity has breathed new life into Netscape. Although AOL could not yet comment on what to expect in the prototype, the revamped browser will likely extend Firefox's feature set with Netscape-specific extensions and retain Netscape's traditional green user interface.
AOL announced the upcoming prototype in a message to Netscape users, even taking a swipe at Internet Explorer for its recent security woes.
"While other browsers have seen little improvement over recent years -- except frequent patches for security leaks -- we have consistently added new features to save you time and to make the most out your time online," the Netscape product team wrote. "As a part of our next evolutionary step, we have developed this new Browser Prototype, which could change the way the world masters the web."
Seemingly in competition with itself, AOL has also been beta testing an Internet Explorer based Web browser it calls "AOL Browser." AOL Browser is independent from the company's client software and adds features such as tabbed browsing and privacy options on top of Microsoft's IE engine.
Users interested in testing the Netscape prototype can pre-register by visiting netscape.com and entering the registration code: prototype1104.
Personally, I don't think that it's the greatest strategy to play catch-up to your competitors. I mean, it's great that they are making a new version of Netscape and that they are tailoring to the customer's wants, but I don't think simply building off of FireFox will be enough. If they keep up with this strategy, than FireFox will remain ahead of Netscape, no matter what AOL does.
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|It is interesting that they suddenly deside to put some effort into a program they pretty much abandoned and left to open source. We can only hope they do the same with Winamp. Maybe they can do a 180 with all the programs they have left behind.
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|face it dude, the only way they're going to improve on winamp is throwing the code open to the public and letting US build on it like we can with firefox; hmmm...maybe thats an idea...take the code of winamp version 1 and build it into firefox, add codecs for quicktime, realplay etc. you have a friendly multimedia internet environemtn then.
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|If it gets more people away from IE I am all for it. Netscape is a well-known name to most people, while many people don't have a clue what a firefox is. The last version of Netscape was quite good but it did not support extensions. That was pretty much the only thing that turned me off to it. If they keep all the things that Firefox supports and don't add anything stupid this should be a great browser.
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|Have they still not yet learned that people want a less bloated browser, not more. I can't imagine Netscape will add anything Firefox can't already do with an extension. It will end up being a bloated version of firefox with that ugly as hell netscape interface with tons of "Try AOL Today!" "Get your WeatherBug!" and "integrated instant messaging" (why a browser needs to integrate with IM still hasn't sunk in with me) ads.
FireFox is appealing because it does what it's supposed to do, and anything more can be done with an extension. It's all about the user's choice.
I think AOL \ Netscape would do well to keep throwing money into Firefox advertising and let it gain more marketshare before trying to capitalize off the Firefox name so prematurely. It can only tarnish Firefox at this point imho.
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|to be fair since the release of 0.92 I am noticing more incompatabilites with firefox
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|"While other browsers have seen little improvement over recent years -- except frequent patches for security leaks -- we have consistently added new features to save you time and to make the most out your time online". Just come out and say it--the Firefox guys hate IE so much, we'll make 400,000 browsers if we have to so it will disappear. IE doesn't need knew features, it needs security. It already has more features than ANY other browser can due to its ability to use ActiveX controls.
I must admit I liked Netscape more than Firefox, but I still use IE. Remember, if Microsoft tries to put any more features on IE, more lawsuits will come, cause then MS will force their own download manager unfairly, or some other bull!@#$% Overall, I'm glad AOL is pushing for netscape now, maybe AOL users won't get as many viruses now...
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|You say IE needs more security. After that, you say IE has more features than *ANY* other browser, because, well, it has ActiveX. I guess you forgot ActiveX is *A MAJOR SECURITY ISSUE*, and I don't see why anyone should use ActiveX.
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|>> IE doesn't need knew features, it needs security. It already has more features than ANY other browser can due to its ability to use ActiveX controls.
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|ActiveX allows running of executable code, yes. With IE6 and no updates, ActiveX is very unsecure. The fact is most malware that uses ActiveX controls use known vulnerabilities--it's just nobody updates. In three years if FireFox gains more market share, heck version 1.0 will be *A MAJOR SECURITY ISSUE* by then. Heck, that's what updates are for.
The only real problem with IE is that you can change so many custom settings--many hard to find, too--that may seriously affect how secure IE is. These settings need to be made more clear in future versions of IE.
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|The big daddy of browsers is back and this time it is going to kill the competition. Beware, its just Netscape v/s IE6 SP2 v/s Firefox. None of the other browsers have any chance on earth to survive in this competition. So be wise and embrace the good ol Netscape browser that taught us the actual meaning of surfing.
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|Support Netscape when they abandoned us for the last couple of years???? Get real. The last stuff they produced in 2002 was garbage.
If they could go back to their roots somehow and create a better product and not just live on past glory I would look at them again.
Jim
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|I can't wait for this to happen. I'm happy that someone as big as AOL is going to do this. I don't care if they brand it, skin it, or do whatever. I just want the good old Netscape/Internet Explorer browser wars back. Competition breeds innovation and better products.
IE needs a good butt kicking. :)
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|intersting taking one evil over another. how short your memory is: aol just killed winamp. winamp: a media player with a strong and dedicated user base ... all because aol couldn't figure out a way to make money with it. netscape will suffer a similar death [again] when aol figures out it can't make money with it either.
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|Firefox developed off Netscape, now Netscape developing off Firefox. Beh, whatever suits your needs. I too can never forgive AOL for being the death of Winamp. ;-P
I wounder if IE would get the same attention if it used Firefox's source?
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|IE use some NCSA Mosaic source code. You can still see the credits if you open the about box. :-)
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|I find this extremely amusing given that AOL recently announced it was creating a primary browser based on IE. Whoever is running the place needs a strong dose of reality.
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|AOL has always used IE engine for their branded browser. What I have always found amusing is that they decided to continue to use the IE engine after their Netscape aquisition. Once they discovered Netscape was a big steaming piece of cow dung (figuratively speaking), they had buyer's remorse.
What I find even more hilarious is due to AOL's***ory of screwing things up, AOL-Time Warner decided to distance themselves as far as possible from their own monster by becoming just "Time Warner." Classic.
Winamp was awesome...now dead... Netscape was good until AOL... now dead... FireFox is a good browser. Luckily for FireFox, AOL doesn't own them so they will likely survive but let's wait and see how AOL can cheapen it.
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|Maybe someone will be able to get this UI fixed up finally. That, or they'll just wind up beating a dead horse.
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|why dont they just use firefox? why do they NEED there own one? Just skin fox if you need to brand it.
they are just wasting resources on an unimportant issue.
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|I think this could be the beginning of something good. A strong Mozilla code base with a great UI from Netscape...the way the Mozilla relationship was supposed to work from the start. I wouldn't assume that this is just going to be another skin.
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|And their "branding" is what killed Netscape originally. They should just leave it alone....
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|hooah! lol Nope Netscape becomes good again.
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|I'd be happy if Microsoft just updated ie to be like other browsers such as firefox. Microsoft could make it sooooo much better than firefox if they tried
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|I --will-- say this much. AOL's continued curiousity in the marketing possibilities available via the Netscape brand has potential positive repercussions for the Moz. Foundation.
Netscape has been a distribution of Mozilla for the past few versions -- I see no reason not to continue this. The cost of development is very low, and if anything, the advertising that AOL will put into Netscape on their own networks will only add to the advertising that the Mozilla Foundation is investing in Firefox right now.
I only see this as a good thing.
If AOL chooses to support two browsers -- one that comes with AOL and one that is separate -- great! IE is the standard (for those who follow trends rather than actual standards) and by supporting both, AOL caters to both types of users.
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|No they can't. They can't even code proper PNG support, HTTP/1.1 support, XHTML support, CSS support (hint: this is a large chunk of the underlying technology that means you can sit there and use the internet).
They have only ever innovated when it comes to proprietary technology that benefits only them. What genuine innovations has MS ever brought to the browser table?
Whether this is because they are incompetent or wilfully obstructive of open standards - it means MS is not the company to lead the internet forward, and your hopes are seriously misplaced...
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