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Netscape Revived With Firefox Backing

By Nate Mook, BetaNews

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.

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By limkockchuan

edited Dec 26, 2006 - 6:02 AM

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1) Earn Money with your Blog or Website (Recommended)
2) Earn Money through Affiliate Programs (Recommended)
3) Get Paid to take Online Surveys
4) Read Mails or Surf the Web

more details at http://earn-money-google.com

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follow step by step :
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1) What is a blog ?
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Example :
** Register at blogger.com step by step **
** (1) Click on " CREATE YOUR BLOG NOW "
** (2) Fill out the form
** (3) Enter title and blog address
** (4) Choose a template
** (5) Start Posting
** (6) Enter title and Content
** (7) Click on Setting
** (8) Click on Publishing
** (9) Notify Weblogs.com change to "YES" (Weblogs.com is a blog update notification service that many individuals and services use to track blog changes.)

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** Join advertisement program is free, earn money with advertisement. example : adsense Google , revenuepilot , adbrite , bidvertiser and others
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** Once you finish posting, you need to ping it. Pinging lets the blog directories know that something has changed. The search engines will come crawling / updating.
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** Click on http://pingomatic.com

6) How some people can make money & earn money over USD $ 20,000/month on the internet ?
** Some people use blog or website to create fortune online : such as advertisement , promote affiliate program, deliver newsletter, sell text link , sell ebooks and others.
** example : They use blog freely to earn money.
** 1 blog earn money at least $ 20.00 for one month , they create 1000 blog , how much they could earn ?
USD $ 20,000.00 . Is it easy ??? . They just join advertisement and affiliate program (all is free).
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** Search Engine : Google , Yahoo , Msn and many others.
** Go to Google's search engine, just type "add url google" , the listing will be displayed, you will see the title "add url google" on the listing, just click on and register it.
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** Go to Msn's search engine, just type "add url Msn" the listing will be displayed, you will see the title "add url Msn" on the listing, just click on and register it.
** Or, go to submit free to 50 Search Engine

8) How to promote blog or website on the internet ?
** Write an article relevant with your blog or website. Example : article marketer
** Join Forums. Example : preCharge Community Forums and others.
** The link exchange strategy is what will give you traffic in the long term and most important. example : linkalizer , linkexchanged , gothimatch , religiousmall , linkadministrator , linkmachine and others
** Join Hit Exchanges. Example : trafficswarm , 123click , Hit Pulse
** Join Press Releases : PRWeb.com , Pressbox.co.uk
** Join Building Network. Example : Your Luck List , 241Lead , Viral traffic list , List Dot Com

** Join PPC advertisement

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** PPC - Pay Per Click.
** Earn money from your website or blog - get paid for every click
** Earn money with affiliate program that pays you for every click
You get paid for every visitor that clicks on an ad. You to make as much as possible from your advertising space, by letting advertisers bid on your ad space.
** Example PPC advertisement : adsense Google , revenuepilot , adbrite , bidvertiser , Text Link Ads and others

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** Place your ads on sites of your choice, set your pay per click pricing and pay only for clicks you receive.

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** Place the text ads on your website and make money online by getting paid for every click.

12) What is an Incoming links ?
This is a very important thing, because to reach TOP 10 in Google, Yahoo!, MSN and other major search engines, you have to get as much quality incoming links as you can. What is an incoming link? It is when someone links to your site from his webpage. And when you have more links to your web site, your rank goes up. The better quality of the link is, the better ranking boost your site receives in search results.
How to get such links?
There are many ways to develop a high number of incominig links to your website.
reciprocial linking - asking other webmasters for links and linking back to their websites in exchange. It used to be an effective method, but right now search engines discount the value of such links to zero.
cross linking - asking other webmasters for link from to your website, and linking back to their website from your OTHER website. A similar method may be used when you have only one website, but your linking partner has 2 or more websites - ask for link to your site from one of his sites, and link back to his OTHER website in exchange.
context linking - writing articles with links to your website in the article text (target your keyphrases or keywords!), or sponsoring other articles, that have high Google PR
automatic link building - with a help of an automated link building system

13) How/Where to register domain name ?
** Register domain name : Example Doteasy.com

14) What is called indexing (Search Engine) ?
** Search Engine crawls and indexes ( your) websites
** Search Engine such as Google , Yahoo , Msn and others
** Find out whether your site is currently being indexed by Google. https://www.google.com/webmasters/tools/sitestatus

15) What is Newsletter ?
** Shortened form of newspaper and informational letter. Generally used to describe a periodic publication distributed by e-mail to an opt-in list of subscribers. Newsletters are normally used by organizations or owners of a Web site to communicate with their readers. Some companies may sell targeted ads within their newsletters.

Score: 0

By mightyjoe

posted Nov 1, 2005 - 8:33 PM

I was amazed at how Firefox + extensions could revolutionize my browsing experience. Netscape's relationship with Firefox and the user community's ability to improve browsing will reign supreme. If Netscape turns their attension to customized browsing I think they can make a difference and sell more of their product. Certainly, this has proven that there is room for something other than Microsoft IE and that should open the door to corporations. They are always looking for efficiency. Therefore, if Netscape can tighten up the QA on a browser that incorporates similar functions for corporate users as Firefox does for the "general" population... I could sell that.

Mighty Joe

ps - I created a blog of a "best of breed" list of extensions for Firefox. I've done the same thing for Freeware. Check out my BLOGs and let me know what you think.

http://mightyjoefirefox.blogspot.com/
http://mightyjoesfree.blogspot.com/

Score: 0

By rwp

edited Sep 12, 2005 - 2:00 PM

WHY CAN'T AOL TAKE AND ADAPT FIREFOX AND OPERA AND ALL THE OTHER WELL KNOWN BROWSERS TO WORK WITH AOL (OR MAKE A BETTER BROWSER)

Score: 0

By

posted Nov 17, 2004 - 7:14 PM

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.

Score: 0

By nothersin

posted Nov 17, 2004 - 12:52 PM

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.

Score: 0

By stealth_ae

posted Nov 18, 2004 - 4:22 AM

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.

Score: 0

By Banquo

posted Nov 17, 2004 - 12:49 PM

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.

Score: 0

By DigitalSin

posted Nov 17, 2004 - 9:47 AM

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.

Score: 0

By stealth_ae

posted Nov 18, 2004 - 4:23 AM

to be fair since the release of 0.92 I am noticing more incompatabilites with firefox

Score: 0

By maoge

posted Jan 25, 2005 - 4:18 AM

I agree

james
http://www.du888.com

Score: 0

By bourgeoisdude

posted Nov 17, 2004 - 9:43 AM

"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...

Score: 0

By marcos_cu

posted Nov 17, 2004 - 10:27 AM

>> 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. <<

So, make up your mind. Security, or ActiveX. Hint: ActiveX is a great big huge gaping security hole that you can drive a Mac truck thru...

Score: 0

By joao

posted Nov 17, 2004 - 10:15 AM

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.

Score: 0

By bourgeoisdude

posted Nov 17, 2004 - 1:10 PM

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.

Score: 0

By maoge

posted Feb 22, 2005 - 10:44 PM

AOL is dead. Even Time warner don't want it.

http://www.du168.net

Score: 0

By aashay

posted Nov 17, 2004 - 2:33 AM

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.

Score: 0

By dbarjim

posted Nov 19, 2004 - 10:08 AM

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

Score: 0

By Pipewrench

posted Nov 16, 2004 - 9:27 PM

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. :)

Score: 0

By Portal3

posted Nov 17, 2004 - 12:51 AM

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?

Score: 0

By bk74

posted Nov 17, 2004 - 12:14 PM

IE use some NCSA Mosaic source code. You can still see the credits if you open the about box. :-)

Score: 0

By RaveN-FH-

posted Nov 16, 2004 - 11:14 PM

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.

Score: 0

By sophist_dreams

posted Nov 16, 2004 - 7:52 PM

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.

Score: 0

By ghostrider25

posted Nov 17, 2004 - 11:54 AM

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 history 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.

Score: 0

By bangbang023

posted Nov 16, 2004 - 7:02 PM

Maybe someone will be able to get this UI fixed up finally. That, or they'll just wind up beating a dead horse.

Score: 0

By fourte3n

posted Nov 16, 2004 - 5:04 PM

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.

Score: 0

By Mark Gillespie

posted Nov 16, 2004 - 6:12 PM

And their "branding" is what killed Netscape originally. They should just leave it alone....

Score: 0

By SilverBob

posted Nov 16, 2004 - 5:26 PM

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.

Score: 1

By irdepesca572

edited Nov 16, 2004 - 9:10 PM

hooah! lol Nope Netscape becomes good again.

Score: 0

By Isoptera4

posted Nov 17, 2004 - 3:09 AM

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

Score: 0

By iandol

posted Nov 19, 2004 - 8:50 AM

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...

Score: 0

By AntiochMedia

posted Nov 18, 2004 - 1:23 AM

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.

Score: 0

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