Netscape Communicator Leads International Browser Development With Support For 23 Languages on Multiple Platforms
IBM and Netscape Co-Develop International Communicator for Systems Worldwide
June 24, 1999 06:00 AM
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., June 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Netscape, a subsidiary of America Online, Inc. AOL , today announced that Netscape(R) Communicator client software is available in more languages and on more platforms than any other browser on the market today. Netscape Communicator software is now available in 23 languages on over a half-dozen platforms due to the joint development initiatives between IBM and Netscape, giving over 200 million Internet users in 125 countries the opportunity to use Netscape Communicator in their native language. The languages include US English, UK English, French, German, Japanese, Danish, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Brazilian Portuguese, Korean, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish, Russian, Polish, Czech, Greek, Hungarian, Turkish and Slovenian.
Netscape worked closely with IBM IBM , which is bundling and distributing Communicator 4.51 in 23 languages with its Windows, OS/2 and AIX systems and software products internationally. The IBM agreement is one of several relationships designed to reach more than 99 percent of today's Internet user base in their native languages. Other platform vendors including Sun Microsystems, Hewlett-Packard, Silicon Graphics, DEC and Apple Computer also distribute international versions of Netscape Communicator. In total, international versions of Communicator have been distributed by many OEMs and more than 23,500 Unlimited Distribution members worldwide.
"Netscape's goal has always been to provide the best browsing and email software for users around the globe. This relationship with IBM plays a critical role in making Netscape Communicator available to everyone everywhere, regardless of language or location," said Bob Lisbonne, senior vice president of client products at Netscape. "Since Netcenter content and services are integrated into Communicator, international customers can now easily access international versions of Netcenter with the click of a button and quickly find local Web sites with Netscape's innovative Smart Browsing functionality."
"IBM is a global company doing business in over 200 countries. It's important for our international customers to have the same accessibility to information on the Internet as our customers here in the United States have," said Jeff Smith, vice president of development, IBM Network Computing Software. "We've worked closely with Netscape to deliver these important enhancements which will ensure the expansion and growth of e-business worldwide."
Nearly 32 million non-English speaking Netscape users now have the Communicator user interface in their native language for email, composition, browsing, and access to regional news and content. A single click to the browser home page or the Netscape "N" icon will take international Communicator customers to a localized Netcenter page in the UK, France, Germany, Japan, Brazil, China, Denmark, France, Hong Kong, Italy, Korea, Latin America, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Taiwan. Customers will also have full access to the English-language Netcenter through Netcenter integration in Communicator. As additional local content or content for new countries is available it will automatically be available in Communicator.
The localized versions of Communicator 4.51 include enhanced Smart Browsing features with local language keywords in French, German and Japanese to help people find what they want on the Internet more quickly and easily. Instead of remembering complicated Internet addresses (URLs), users can now access thousands of native-language Web sites by entering common keywords in their location field and are immediately directed to Web sites in their own country. For example, a German use can type in "Volkswagen" in the location field of a German version of Netscape Navigator and the browser will take them to volkswagen.de. Smart Browsing's What's Related functionality is available with regional content for all 23 languages.
Additional language and platform support is available through vendor-participants in Netscape's Universal Localization Program, which helps companies respond to growing demand for localized Communicator software on new languages and platforms. Since the Universal Localization Program's establishment a year ago, participants have signed up for 17 translation projects to offer localized Communicator versions in languages such as Bulgarian, Catalan and Hawaiian.
International versions of Communicator 4.51 also ship with the English version of AOL Instant Messenger 2.0 with Buddy Chat. It allows users to send real-time text messages and Web links to friends either on a one-to-one basis or as a group in many languages. Additional features include Search, to help individuals use the Web and locate friends, family and business associates and one-click buttons to connect users to other Netscape Netcenter services.
Pricing and Availability
Communicator 4.51 is available for free in the 23 branded languages (US English, UK English, French, German, Japanese, Danish, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Brazilian Portuguese, Korean, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish, Russian, Polish, Czech, Greek, Hungarian, Turkish and Slovenian) for Windows 95 and Windows NT, while many non-English versions are available on other platforms such as OS/2, Macintosh PowerPC and Solaris.
Communicator can be downloaded free of charge from any Netcenter Download location ( netscape.com ). A CD version is also available for $10 U.S., plus shipping and handling.
Netscape is a leading provider of software and services for businesses that want to transform the way they create and keep customers in the emerging Net Economy. Recently acquired by America Online, Inc., Netscape is based in Mountain View, California.
Additional information on Netscape is available on the Internet at home.netscape.com, by sending email to info@netscape.com, or by calling corporate sales at 650-937-2555.
NOTE: Netscape, Netscape Navigator and the Communicator logos are registered trademarks of Netscape in the United States and other countries. Other Netscape logos, product names, and service names are also trademarks of Netscape Communications, which may be registered in other countries. Other product and brand names are trademarks of their respective owners.
SOURCE Netscape Communications Corporation
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