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Netscape 6.1

Posted by michael on from the netscape's-still-around? dept.

max2010 writes: "Netscape Browser Version 6.1 is released. Give it a try, grab the 25MByte junk of code for MAC, Unix and Windows at ftp.netscape.com." MSNBC has a brief story about the release.

3 of 530 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Why? by DrXym · · Score: 5, Informative
    The advantages are these:
    • Greater quality control. The commercial version is beat on a lot more than any Mozilla milestone meaning it should be more robust.
    • Some limited support. Netscape will more than likely release another minor update in a few months to catch any top crashers. It will also release updates for any security issues that arise. With Mozilla you must apply a patch or wait for the next milestone.
    • Instant messenger.. Netscape has AIM built in. Clever people may even figure out how to remove the advert from the bottom by editting the chrome.
    • Spell checker.. Moz doesn't have one of these due to the fact that the dictionary is licenced.
    • Bundled crap/goodies.. The installer can download and install RealPlayer, Shockwave, Net2Phone, WinAmp and some other stuff if you let it.
    • Netscape branding and version. Believe it or not but some people trust something more when its called 6.1 than 0.9.3.
    • Netscape Netcentre integration. Register when you open a new profile and the instance messenger, side panels and home page are all customised to your taste.
    Obviously some people may not be perceive some of these things as advantages, but that is why Mozilla exists. You're free to choose either. Mozilla is free of the commercialism and out on the cutting edge but you will experience more crashes as a result of that.
  2. Please cite authorship correctly by Jeremy+Erwin · · Score: 5, Informative

    This is not a MSNBC story. It's a CNET authored story-- the original of which is here. It is inaccurate and short sighted to continue to give credit to a Microsoft owned network, but even more so in this particular case, where a conflict of interest might reasonably be suspected.

  3. Re:Why? by DennyK · · Score: 5, Informative

    1) Mozilla's user agent string is easily changed in user.js:

    user_pref("general.useragent.override","(insert user agent string here...)");

    2) I have never had any problems with the plugins I use. If a plugin doesn't "recognize" Moz, keep an install of Netscape 4 around and copy the plugin files from Communicator/Program/plugins to Mozilla's plugin directory. Works like a charm for QuickTime at least, and I haven't found any other plugins I have a use for yet... ;)

    DennyK