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Netscape 7.2 To Be Released August 3rd

Following up a story from May, linux2004 writes "for those who thought Netscape was dead after firing all their staff and spinning Mozilla off into a non-profit foundation, then think again. It was announced a while back that Netscape would continue releases of their browser suite and now the release date has been confirmed as August 3rd as a free download or by buying a CD. I don't think it'll take the attention away from Firefox but will be a decent upgrade for those using Netscape 7.1. The 7.2 release will be based on Mozilla 1.7 and will probably have the usual Netscape additions."

57 of 263 comments (clear)

  1. Good. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Maybe my stoopid admins will upgrade my machie from Netscape 4 to the new version...

  2. Oh man! by Doomie · · Score: 5, Funny

    Unbelievable:

    Netspace is not dead!
    Doom III is out!

    And both of them on the same day... Crazy... This must be some conspiracy against slashdot users :)

    --
    Doomie
    1. Re:Oh man! by mrbarkeeper · · Score: 2, Funny

      Don't worry man, Duke Nukem Forever is still scheduled to be released "when it's done". The end is nigh but not that close.

    2. Re:Oh man! by jav1231 · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I've been using Firefox. I can't possibly imagine why I'd want Netscape. I wonder what the percentage of users on Firefox/Mozilla vs. Netscape would be? I guess I just don't understand why they don't just move to the Mozilla name completely.

  3. New Book? by BinaryWolf · · Score: 2

    I wonder if there will be a new addition to the Book of Mozilla. The Book of Mozilla, 8:3

  4. The best idea by jb.hl.com · · Score: 3, Interesting

    A better idea would probably be a Netscape branded Firefox. That would kick ass.

    --
    By summer it was all gone...now shesmovedon. --
    1. Re:The best idea by nuggetman · · Score: 3, Insightful

      meh, netscape and kickass were words that went together in 1996

      now i think netscape, i think bloat

      mozilla is today what netscape was years ago, and when you add the netscape monicker, that just brings the image of quality downward

      --
      ...and that's all there is to it.
    2. Re:The best idea by PoprocksCk · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I totally agree. But it shouldn't just contain Firefox. I think Netscape 8.0 should give you the option to install several components, just like always. I think it should have Netscape Navigator, based on Firefox 1.0, Netscape Mail based on Thunderbird, and Netscape Composer based on Nvu. I think they should scrap the AIM addition -- most people that use AIM use it already, and wouldn't be willing to switch to a half-baked Netscape-integrated version. Then again, maybe they could give the option to install regular AIM in the Netscape installer? Who knows, the possibilities are endless!

    3. Re:The best idea by linuxci · · Score: 3, Informative

      The Mozilla project if I am not mistaken is funded by Netscape.

      Well, since the formation of the Mozilla Foundation in July 2003 then Mozilla was totally independent of Netscape, they did get some cash off them and they still host some of mozilla.org's FTP mirrors (others are hosted at various volunteers) but now mozilla.org are not controlled by any way with Netscape. I'm sure they've done what they can to help Netscape with this release, but the Foundation are concentrating on standalone apps now rather than the Netscape style suite.

      If Netscape decides to make a Netscape 8.0 based on Firefox, great for them, but Firefox is now becoming a brand in its own right.

    4. Re:The best idea by endx7 · · Score: 2, Insightful

      A better idea would probably be a Netscape branded Firefox. That would kick ass.

      Naw, a better idea is just to use firefox in the first place. Then you don't have to worry about what netscape is doing. ;P

  5. August 3rd? by dykofone · · Score: 2, Funny
    I found a list of some of the new features:

    - First-person browser: Seventh installment in the ground-breaking NETSCAPE series

    - Enhanced storyline; winner of multiple awards for graphics,sound,and action

    - Spine-chilling, bloodcurdling, altogether unfriendly environment

    - Music by Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails

    - One of the most highly anticipated titles of 2004

  6. take attention away from Firefox? by garcia · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Give me a break. Most uninformed people (which is the majority of people in this world) do not have a clue what Firefox is. These same people probably do know what Netscape is.

    Netscape might not be as advanced and bleeding edge as Firefox or Mozilla but at least it has the name recognition that the non-geeks require.

    1. Re:take attention away from Firefox? by linuxci · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Firefox is getting so much press now that I'm sure a lot more people know what it is compared to, say, even just a month ago.

      But it's still good that a browser with long time name recognition is still in the race and it gives people choice, and choice is good if it's standards compliant choice. Many web stats show that Mozilla is above it's Netscape branded cousin now in market share but I still know people who were happy with 7.1, these people preferred a suite and perhaps Netscape use their marketing dollars on this while Mozilla directs its marketing efforts towards the standalone Firefox and Thunderbird.

    2. Re:take attention away from Firefox? by finkployd · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I'm not sure how true that is anymore. After the recent IE debacles, just about every news source (printed, online, radio, tv) was talking about alternative browsers for a while. Firefox and Opera were always the two mentioned. I think more people have heard of it (although still probably never tried it) than you think.

      Finkployd

    3. Re:take attention away from Firefox? by seasunset · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I suppose that even Netscape its not a known brand (ie by average users). Most of current Internet users are either post-Netscape dominance or didn't care that much and don't remember.

      Summarizing: Netscape nowadays is almost as minoritary as Firefox for Joe user.

      [Writing this post on Mozilla 1.7 BTW]

    4. Re:take attention away from Firefox? by FooBarWidget · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Uhm no. Most people these days don't know what Netscape is. Those who do remember Netscape are those who have been using a computer for a while. However, when they heard "Netscape" they immediately think "buggy, bloated, slow", etc. The name Netscape will have no impact on most people, but will have a negative impact on most people who do know Netscape.

    5. Re:take attention away from Firefox? by garcia · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Firefox is getting so much press now that I'm sure a lot more people know what it is compared to, say, even just a month ago.

      While this is very true you forget that most people don't get their news from the online sources that we (those that actually care to stay up on the news and CE) do.

      I don't know a single person outside of my more computer literate friends that knows that IE has vulnerabilities or what Firefox is. In fact, a quick check through my webserver logs finds that the just about the only people using FireFox are those that are coming from slashdot URLs.

  7. Glad to hear it by bpowell423 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I use Netscape 7.1 right now, rather than Mozilla or Firefox because I have some online financial sites that recognize Netscape and IE, but refuse to work with Mozilla. I refuse to use IE whenever possible, so, I'm glad to hear that Netscape keeps marching on.

    1. Re:Glad to hear it by Xshare · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Well being as how most of the programming/backend behind Netscape vs. Mozilla/FF is the same, wouldn't all you need is a UserAgent Switcher and then you wouldn't have ANY problems at all, and could still be using Mozilla/FF? I mean if the site works with Netscape it's bound to work with Mozilla, just not know it.

    2. Re:Glad to hear it by will_die · · Score: 5, Informative

      Had that problem with firefox then got user agent switcher and use that when I need to lie about my brower type.
      You can mess around with the message that is send, so for instance you can report that you are internet explorer running on a commodore-64.

    3. Re:Glad to hear it by PaulJS · · Score: 2, Insightful

      User agent switching can be harmful, it messes with sites stats and therefore makes your favourite browser seem less popular.

      --

      --
      Beer is best!

  8. Only reason is the Netscape mail extension by nayigeta · · Score: 4, Interesting
    Otherwise, I do not see a reason to move away from Firefox.

    Unfortunately, it is unlikely that Thunderbird will support Netscape mail, being proprietory.

    --
    Sunset over the lake, cool mist over the bridge; A leave upon the ripples, the snow reflects its glow.
    1. Re:Only reason is the Netscape mail extension by mjake · · Score: 2, Informative

      There are actually several nice things Netscape has that Mozilla doesn't:

      - support for the extended IMAP for accessing free netscape.net accounts (as you said)

      - support for syncing your address book with your netscape.net account address book (very handy to keep your address book on all your computers in sync)

      - on Linux Netscape 7.X has always shipped with extra fonts, which IMHO are very decent, and were better than any X fonts a few years back (unfortunately these fonts only seem to be available to Netscape itself)

      - Netscape ships with it's own spell checker, which was great when Mozilla didn't have one, now it is just somewhat better than the Mozilla spell checker

      - Netscape ships with some plugins like Flash included and preconfigured, which is nice if you are lazy like me or a newbie

      - if you think that a red dinosaur is dorky, the Netscape theme is a bit more tasteful

      - when Mozilla required uninstalling old versions, Netscape let you install over the old versions (maybe the install did the removal for you)

      - I am probably missing something with AIM, but I don't use it, and don't know if Mozilla can do it too

      For some reason I never see the address book syncing or extra fonts on Linux mentioned as Netscape assets, although to me they are quite valuable.

  9. An open-source warning? by mccalli · · Score: 5, Interesting
    OK, I'm mostly pro-open source but this one is interesting. What happened here is that a company had a product, fired the staff developing that product, and then still released a new version utilising the continuing free labour of those who it had put out of a job.

    Bit of a cautionary tale perhaps?

    Cheers,
    Ian

    1. Re:An open-source warning? by ChrisWong · · Score: 2, Insightful
      What happened here is that a company had a product, fired the staff developing that product, and then still released a new version utilising the continuing free labour of those who it had put out of a job.

      It's called outsourcing.

    2. Re:An open-source warning? by finkployd · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Yes, don't try to make money writing someone as general as a web browser. Like OSes, Word Processors, ftp clients, etc they are now commodities (unless you are Microsoft). Go find something someone actually needs and is willing to pay money for and write that.

      Finkployd

    3. Re:An open-source warning? by _Sprocket_ · · Score: 4, Interesting


      OK, I'm mostly pro-open source but this one is interesting. What happened here is that a company had a product, fired the staff developing that product, and then still released a new version utilising the continuing free labour of those who it had put out of a job.


      That's an interesting point. However, you're cutting out a whole lot of Netscape history. By the time Netscape released an Open Source codebase, it was already a doomed company. Creating the Mozilla project was a final defiant action. AOL's purchase of Netscape was both added life and final blow to what we knew as Netscape. It was an indication of Netscape's position as well as a corporate shift that caused a mass exodus of Netscape talent. But at the same time, it did present some continued corporate sponsorship to the Mozilla project.

      The parent's timeline makes it sound like the decline of Netscape's employment started at, or was a direct result of the Open Source process. But this decline was already well underway. And it could even be argued that the Mozilla project maintained value in even a small number of Netscape jobs.

      There is one major issue that would be easy to overlook. If Netscape had remained proprietary, it would have simply faded away with so many other codebases wiped out by the dot-boom collapse. And as many of us know, a failed product is not a great source of employment in itself.
  10. Is Netscape Sun? by grunt107 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    This is a rather odd pattern. Sun gives OOo as a free [no $ - N$ for the rest of this] alternative to Word and sells a slightly more advanced version called StarOffice...

    Now Netscape is doing basically the same thing. Add in the other Linux vendors that offer something N$ and another with a price tag and spinoff of the old business model (lower optioned item at cost/loss to hook 'em and high-profit items to upgrade them later) is created.

    The real question for the software world is if this is a viable model in the long run?

    In OSS, there are quite a few individuals that keep the N$ items going, but is there much incentive for the priced offerings (other than businesses for support/peace of mind)?

    It will be interesting to watch this trend unfold

    1. Re:Is Netscape Sun? by mcsmurf · · Score: 2, Insightful

      And how many paid developers work on OOo hired by Sun? None, 12 or even more :)? See, from AOL (former Netscape) nobody is working on Mozilla anymore.

    2. Re:Is Netscape Sun? by azaroth42 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      You mean like ID gave away the first levels of DOOM and then sold a more advanced version (ie with more levels)?

      This is hardly a new model.

      --Azaroth

  11. Firefox launch by levell · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I'm not sure whether it'll help or hinder the Firefox launch, I don't really think it'll have much effect either way. What might do though is agreeing to advertise it so if you're webmaster of a high traffic site or have a say in what goes into a dead-tree magazine click the link...

    --
    Struggling to find a day everyone can make? WhenShallWe.com
  12. Re:it's not the first time... by linuxci · · Score: 4, Informative

    It's the first release since the Mozilla *Foundation* was founded just over a year ago. It was formed July 15th, 2003 and Netscape 7.1 was released June 29th, at the time it was expected to be the last Netscape release.

  13. Does anybody take them seriously anymore? by grasshoppa · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I know I don't. I am grateful to them for the mozilla project, don't get me wrong, but netscape is little more than an AOL whore.

    It's akin to MS taking the latest mozilla, turning it into IE.

    --
    Mod me down with all of your hatred and your journey towards the dark side will be complete!
    1. Re:Does anybody take them seriously anymore? by Patik · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Yes. Most people have never heard of Mozilla but they have used Netscape. It's good that Netscape keeps making releases because it keeps the amount of gecko-based browsers up, which impacts how web designers develop their sites. Most people also don't care about corporate politics or whether a product is free or Free.

  14. Room for a Firefox alternative? by no+longer+myself · · Score: 2, Insightful
    I rather like the idea that Netscape is still around. Back in my "Internet Explorer" days, Netscape seemed almost a joke. IE did everything that NS did, and it was pre-installed!

    Now that the WWW is a scarier place, Mozilla is much more comforting to me than IE, but I miss some of the ease of IE when it came to the ability to play some of the "multimedia" out there.

    Netscape was just as effective as IE when it came to that sort of thing, and if they can bring the "full flavor" back to the internet without the nagging security holes in Internet Explorer then it might just be worth the second chance.

  15. Since it's basically Gecko... by Denyer · · Score: 3, Interesting
    ...this could be a damn good thing. The non-technical people in marketing and sales probably remember Netscape, so if anything a slight shift towards standards-compliant code which works in more browsers is likely.

    That's as long as Netscape don't introduce additional bugs into their branded version, of course.

    --
    Ph-nglui mglw'nafh Gates M'dna wgah'nagl fhtagn.
  16. Netscape/Mozilla/Firefox by hcdejong · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I'm all for choice in the browser market, but why bother fielding 3 browsers, all based on the same code? AFAI can see, the functionality of all three could be achieved with a basic browser plus plugins/extensions/installation options. What's the reasoning behind The Way Things Are?

    1. Re:Netscape/Mozilla/Firefox by kryptkpr · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Mozilla - Bloated everything and the kitchen sink browser+mail+news..

      Netscape - Same as above, but full of AOL branding.. built-in AIM, and all of their other bullshit.

      FireFox - A lightweight, fast, extendable browser that's right for 98% of people who just watch to ditch IE.

      --
      DJ kRYPT's Free MP3s!
  17. This is good news by PaulJS · · Score: 4, Interesting

    This is brilliant news there's still some web sites I know that say they support Netscape and not Firefox, if this can get the Netscape marketshare up until Firefox becomes a household name (and it's on its way - there's a lot of marketing planned around the 1.0 release) then it'll encourage webmasters to fix their bugs.

    Also it means there's a recent secure browser that people can switch to from IE if the pre-1.0 version number puts people off Firefox (I know the Mozilla suite is 1.7 but they never really did aim that one at end users and doesn't have the new extension management stuff Firefox will have).

    If you look at the copyright notice in the Netscape Store article linked to in the story you'll also notice that the store is run by MozSource which is the retail arm of the Mozilla Foundation.

    --

    --
    Beer is best!

  18. Mozilla was paid by AOL. by nlinecomputers · · Score: 4, Interesting

    As I understand this Mozilla was paid by AOL to set this up for them. Not that this changed any of the procedures to create Netscape. Ever since Mozilla was founded they have crated Mozilla first and then rebranded and added the custom Netscape code on top after they rolled out Mozilla. One of the reasons the 1.7 codebase was locked is because Netscape was based on it. All the past locked branches have been timed with Netscape launches. Ex: Moz1.4 = NS7.1

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  19. bloated by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    netscape is bloated and useless now that mozilla is out. firefox is picking up a huge amount of support and it's the best browser on the net.

    1. Re:bloated by PaulJS · · Score: 3, Informative

      Yes, firefox is the best for most people, but it still may not suit everyone. There's reasons some people may install netscape:

      - They've always used it, happy with it and don't want to change even though there's obvious benefits (the same sorta people who still use IE) - at least Netcape is standards compliant.
      - Some people prefer the suite to standalone apps, Netscape builds on Mozilla by adding common plugins which make it easier for the normal user.

      --

      --
      Beer is best!

  20. Netscape additions by cuzality · · Score: 3, Funny

    will probably have the usual Netscape additions
    Yeah! And not only AIM, but Viewpoint Media Player, and Winamp, and "FREE AOL!" icons for my desktop and my Start Menu...

    I can't wait.
    1. Re:Netscape additions by DrCash · · Score: 2, Interesting
      That's what I like about Mozilla's Firefox, which I've been using for about a month now (previously using Opera, but Firefox I have found is far superior). With Firefox, you download a really light, simple browser. Then, if you want additional functionality, go to their extensions page and simply add-in what you want to add. With Netscape, they give you all this stuff you don't need - email app, netscape composer, etc. Although the Winamp and AIM apps are useful, and I do use that - just not Netscape's versions - I prefer to download those separately, so they're not connected to my browser. Still, Netscape's far better than - *gag* *choke* - Internet Explor^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H ...

  21. Re:No big deal by PaulJS · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Well for one I'd be happy if they sent Netscape 7.2 on CD to all their ISP subscribers, this would help increase Gecko marketshare.

    If Gecko gets a significant share of the market (in whatever form - Netscape, Firefox, Camino, etc) then it might make Netscape's parent company decide to finally switch their ISP for muppets (AOL) over to a Gecko based browser too - particularly with all the IE security holes.

    That would make me happy.

    --

    --
    Beer is best!

  22. AOL Should've Donated the Netscape Name by tabdelgawad · · Score: 3, Interesting

    That way we wouldn't have had to go through the 'Phoenix-Firebird-Firefox' saga. I seriously doubt AOL is currently making any money on the 'Netscape' brand, but a Firefox-renamed-Netscape would actually have a chance of gaining some market share.

    It's probably still not too late ...

    --
    Imposing Libertarian views on everyone online since 1992.
  23. Re:Re : Netscape 7.2 To Be Released August 3rd by oddman · · Score: 2, Informative

    More pain in developing webpages/sites, since there will be yet another browser in the market, and the yuppies in marketing and sales will scream their throats off for "compatibility" with it

    Mozilla/Firefox/Netscape are all standards compliant browsers you don't have to design your website with any special code to achieve full compatibility with them. You would only have a problem if you have a non-standards compliant website, then you *would* have to rewrite it. But hey if you decided to have a non-standard site, you deserve to have to do extra work.

    Standards are your friends.

  24. here's "why netscape" by ChristTrekker · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Corporate execs are more comfortable with a known brand name. Even though Mozilla (and FF, Camino, K-Meleon, etc) are based on the same code, they are not "Netscape". When execs are made aware of the faults and deficiencies of IE, they may think "I wish it was still like the old days, when we could at least choose between IE and Netscape." Lo and behold, here's Netscape 7.2. If you mention Opera or Firefox to them, you'd get blank stares.

    Also, some of these execs want an all-in-one solution, not a perceived patchwork of FF+TB+whatever to meet basic internet needs.

    Plus, "Mozilla" sounds like something only a geek could love. "Netscape" sounds like a polished product, like the marketing team actually spent more than 5 seconds to think of it. That's important to execs.

  25. Re:Useless by Cro+Magnon · · Score: 2, Informative

    It's not useless to me. I use Mozilla at home, but at work, I'm stuck with Netscape. And if NS wasn't around, I'd have to use that M$ browser that sounds like a scream (and causes them).

    --
    Slow down, cowboy! It has been 4 hours since you last posted. You must wait another few hours.
  26. Re:Perfect Timing by DrCash · · Score: 2, Interesting
    It's really not hard convincing other people to use other browsers. Most of your average users on the internet (the non-techies, mom-and-pops, teeny boppers, etc) just use whatever comes with the computer because they don't have the knowledge to starting making additional major changes to their computer (or they just don't want to screw it up because they don't want to pay their geek friends to come and fix it - and laugh at them miserably - when they do screw it up). So that's exactly why IE is the browser of choice for 94% of the web.

    Once these same people start using the web a bit more, get used to things better, and finally get fed up with all the damn spyware, spamware, pop-ups, and start complaining to their techie friends about it, they realize that their techie friends haven't even used IE since like, the dark ages (if ever). So by word-of-mouth, they'll finally upgrade to something decent - hopefully that will be Mozilla Firefox (because it rules).

    I've also noticed that the G4/TechTV show, The Screen Savers, regularly plugs Firefox as it's browser of choice whenever someone asks what is a good browser replacement for IE (The Screen Savers rule!).

  27. Firefox will become as big a brandname as NN/IE by mbottrell · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Whilst many claim Firefox doesn't have the brand recognition that Internet Explorer does, it's getting a big push here in Australia.

    Take a look at the front cover of the Sydney Morning Herald.
    You can read the full article here.

    Kudos to MozillaZine for running an article on it. :)
    So yeah... people in Aust. are taking firefox seriously... most Aust. sites are getting hammered if they are not FF friendly. :)

    Cheers,

    M.

  28. Evil MS and IE by Bull999999 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Did anyone noticed that Office 2003 Service Pack 1 automatically sets IE as the default brower without even asking?

    --
    1f u c4n r34d th1s u r34lly n33d t0 g37 l41d
  29. Re:Right. by punkass · · Score: 2, Insightful

    How about version 4.0, where they re-wrote nearly the entire suite (this was the first of the "Communicator" suites). For me, that was first release that took a step in the wrong direction in terms of bloat and speed, and I had been using Navigator since v.1.1.

    --
    "Nobody owns the fucking words man." - James Dean
  30. Re:Press coverage by VitaminB52 · · Score: 2, Insightful
    Yes, Netscape 7.1 did get a ton of press attention. However, I was talking about Netscape 7.2 . And MS products still get a megaton of press attention, not just a single ton :(. Netscape 7.2 needs more press attention to get a good signal/noise ratio against the MS products. Have a look at all the press attention for the yet-to-be-releases SP 2 for XP ... if Netscape 7.2 get's half of that ....

    Mega bloated? Mozilla AppSuite is approximately as big as the standalone browser + emailclient + composer + tec. put together. It's a choice between several downloads totalling +- 20 MB, or one big +- 20 MB download.

    Takes an hour to startup? What kind of equipment are you using :) ? 20 MHz 386 ;) ?
    On my old 500 MHz Pentium III + 64 MB memory it takes over half a minute, but on my new 3 GHz Pentium IV with HyperThreading and 512 MB memory it loads in seconds. No problem.

    If Mozilla suite takes an hour to load, then most other apps will take long to load too. Not a Mozilla problem, but old hw not designed for todays sw.

  31. Re:it's not the first time... by KarmaMB84 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Netscape 7.2 will be based on Mozilla 1.7, so your rants over Netscape are not applicable.

  32. Corporate brownie points by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    A very important point is the fact that now, if a business wants to roll out the browser, they have a corporate contact and a support partner in form of Netscape. Lack of a commercial entity behind a product is one of the biggest, if not THE biggest obstacles to adoption of a lot of FOSS in commercial IT.

    This is exciting also because Mozilla is not just a browser, but an application framework - it happens to be a very nice toolkit for developing client-side GUIs. In a corporate environment with a lot of custom-rolled user interfaces, this is a very valuable tool; and even PHBs are pleased because there's Netscape to sign a support contract with.

  33. I think the real question by wyldeone · · Score: 2, Funny

    is who cares?

    --
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