Netscape's open source browser ready at last
November 14, 2000 11:34 AM PT
by Matt Berger
Just when you thought the browser wars were
over, Netscape Communications comes
back kicking.
Today the America Online (AOL)
subsidiary launched its next-generation
browser, taking on industry giant Microsoft
(MSFT) with a product that takes somewhat
of an unconventional approach to the
browser.
Netscape has built its new Netscape 6
version with the same grassroots efforts --
though more scaled down -- that launched the
open source movement.
It has also managed to reiterate the original
concept of the portal as an all-encompassing
door to the Internet. The software features
communications, media and a number of
other Web functions that keep users in
Netscape's community.
Open source
Netscape 6 is based on the Netscape Gecko
browser engine, an ongoing technology that
has evolved to support a number of Web
standards, opperating systems and platforms.
Netscape built its newest browser based on
open standards, a process that spanned more
than two years and enlisted the help of
thousands of open source geeks.
While those who tested Netscape 6 in its beta
versions as part of the company's Mozilla
project embraced the process, it also has
created a lot of critics. (See "Learning the
ways of Mozilla.")
A scan through open source chat rooms such
as Slashdot.org reveals that most users who
tested the software say it is still full of kinks
and bugs and are already looking forward to
the release of Netscape 6.1.
Old portal, new tricks
In addition to its traditional browser functions,
the new Netscape version bundles a number
of communications mediums on its home
page.
The browser has links to a number of email
services, AOL's instant messaging (AIM) and
Internet telephony services from Net2Phone
(NTOP), whose software is embedded in the
Netscape download. By clicking an icon on
Netscape's toolbar, users can make
PC-to-PC or PC-to-phone calls through the
Internet connection.
"I think it's going to enhance stickiness," said
Net2Phone vice president Sarah Hofstetter,
whose service is already attached to a
number of instant messaging services including
AIM, AOL's ICQ, Yahoo (YHOO)
Messenger and MSN Messenger.
Despite its new concepts and add-ons,
Netscape 6 will have a difficult time regaining
its title as browser king after Microsoft
Explorer stole the crown. That browser now
controls about 75 percent of the market as it
distributes its Explorer browser with every
Windows installation.
"The problem Netscape has right now is that
it doesn't have the level of compatibility as
Explorer," said Rob Enderle, vice president of
desktop and mobile technology for Giga
Information Group. "Its like they've come
out with a sports car that doesn't drive on
most roads."
While Enderle said the new browser has the
look and feel of a browser champ in the
making it will need to overcome many of its
website incompatibility problems before it can
really take on Microsoft.
Added features
The search service on Netscape 6 is
powered by the Netscape Open Directory
Project and a search engine from Google.
Users can also customize their searches
by choosing other search services or by
using several search engines at once.
The new browser also has a task bar --
"My Toolbar" -- that lets users read the
latest news, set up custom stock
portfolios, listen to music and watch
multimedia. The browser has an
assortment of more than 600 different
tabs from Netscape and third parties
such as CNN.com and eBay (EBAY).
The new version also has a cookie
manager that lets users conveniently
view every cookie placed on their hard
drive, and remove those they don't want.
Netscape's newest version launched in
the U.K., France, Germany and Japan in
addition to the U.S. Each region will have
tailored content.
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