CaKeY Posted March 30, 2004 Share Posted March 30, 2004 from: theinquirer IT'S RARELY that a company statement raises eyebrows. But this one will do: America Online confirmed to the INQUIRER that it is working on an updated release of the Netscape browser. to replace the aging version 7.1 -which was released in mid-2003. They also promise that this Netscape update will use the latest Mozilla engine as its core. Not too long ago, I wrote an article titled "AOL may release a Netscape branded IE-launcher", where I screamed against the possibility of the company's marketing robots turning the Netscape browser product into an empty shell that would in turn launch Internet Explorer under the hood. Back then, I said AOL should take advantage of the "de-facto outsourcing" of the Mozilla development - now in the hands of the independent Mozilla Foundation and programmers worldwide - simply taking the latest code and sticking the Netscape logo, plug-in(s) and other proprietary extensions present in Netscape on top of it. Some readers told me that I was naive in demanding a future for the Netscape browser from AOL, that it was "a lost cause". The usual handful complainers, not surprisingly, even filled my inbox saying that I was nuts, including babbling on why IE "rulez so much" compared to Mozilla based browsers. On the other extreme, the Mozilla advocates with what I call the usual "slashdot attitude" pointed to the Mozilla Foundation's binary releases as the path to the future, giving me a couple of bad reasons as to why I should forget the extras in Netscape 7.1 that I use on a daily basis - and which are not present in Mozilla. For the record: it's got AIM and ICQ integrated in the browser's sidebar, support for "@netscape.net" webmail accounts in the Mail program, includes the free "Netscape Radio" program, and more. In short, the Mozilla aficionados basically told me to "get with the programme" and switch from Netscape 7.1 to "the latest Mozilla". After the Save Netscape online petition reached two thousand signatures, I sent my original article and petition URL to a few AOL execs, the kind of folks that "should care" - and people who I now think should remain nameless for protection from any possible Volish dirty tricks. Frankly, I didn't expect much. Finally, last week, I almost fell off my chair when I received an official reply: "I am writing you in response to your e-mail to [exec name here]. The next (Netscape Browser) version will be a "point" release based on the latest Mozilla code." The message continued saying that this version "will be made available in the very early summer timeframe". For the record: this came straight from AOL's Corporate Communications department. Now Netscape 7.1 users can rejoice in anticipation. And this is proof for those once skeptic readers who told me "why bother?" that there's some truth in a local [Ed: doesn't it exist up there??] saying which goes "don't complain (now), if you never complain". It's a rare event in this galaxy, and it doesn't happen too often... but sometimes, just sometimes, corporations do listen. I now have my fingers crossed, hoping that AOL delivers Netscape 7.2 - or whatever they want to call it - as promised. ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Dorr Veteran Posted March 30, 2004 Veteran Share Posted March 30, 2004 I thought they had canceled Netscape development... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaKeY Posted March 30, 2004 Author Share Posted March 30, 2004 I thought they had canceled Netscape development... Yeah. That's why it's shocking lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Si Veteran Posted March 30, 2004 Veteran Share Posted March 30, 2004 Now they need to base AOL itself on Mozilla. And when Firefox is at 1.0 switch them both to that :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dark Warhawk Posted March 30, 2004 Share Posted March 30, 2004 umm no they should not kill the suite Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knight' Posted March 30, 2004 Share Posted March 30, 2004 I'de like to see a Netscape branded Phoenix :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Si Veteran Posted March 30, 2004 Veteran Share Posted March 30, 2004 I'de like to see a Netscape branded Phoenix :D mmm. 'Firescape Browser', 'Netscape 8 - Flaming Edition' lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangbang023 Veteran Posted March 30, 2004 Veteran Share Posted March 30, 2004 Now they need to base AOL itself on Mozilla.And when Firefox is at 1.0 switch them both to that :) they did that for one version then reverted back to IE. God, the guys at the inquirer toot their own horn more than just giving the facts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poisonarrow Posted March 30, 2004 Share Posted March 30, 2004 This is fantastic news! :D I love Netscape :bounce: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HellBender Posted March 30, 2004 Share Posted March 30, 2004 It would be pretty funny if someone just spoofed the email headers and got everyone's hopes up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bakerster Posted March 30, 2004 Share Posted March 30, 2004 I love Netscape :bounce: *SLAP* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangbang023 Veteran Posted March 30, 2004 Veteran Share Posted March 30, 2004 *SLAP* everytime I see a post of yours, it contributes nothing to the thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john smith 1924 Veteran Posted March 30, 2004 Veteran Share Posted March 30, 2004 Please stay on topic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BxBoy Posted March 30, 2004 Share Posted March 30, 2004 I have a couple of diehard Netscape fans, so they would like this.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LordHatrus Posted March 30, 2004 Share Posted March 30, 2004 hrm, a last attempt at greatness before AOL dies. (It will die. Within 2 years, I garauntee, if they dont change even more drastically than this) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redestium Posted March 30, 2004 Share Posted March 30, 2004 everytime I see a post of yours, it contributes nothing to the thread. I know exactly what you mean. This is kinda funny too since there was rumors about AOL being bought by MS.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AcdShdw Posted March 30, 2004 Share Posted March 30, 2004 yea i thought they were discontinuing the netscape project a while back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangbang023 Veteran Posted March 30, 2004 Veteran Share Posted March 30, 2004 I just don't understand the move. There is no way that a mere 2,000 signatures convinced them to bring it back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+E.Worm Jimmy Subscriber¹ Posted March 30, 2004 Subscriber¹ Share Posted March 30, 2004 mmm. 'Firescape Browser', 'Netscape 8 - Flaming Edition' lol haha. but yeah, i dont see that happening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AcdShdw Posted March 30, 2004 Share Posted March 30, 2004 even if it comes back i aint touching it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaKeY Posted March 30, 2004 Author Share Posted March 30, 2004 It may have something to do with Mozilla gaining more and more of the browser share every month. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bakerster Posted March 30, 2004 Share Posted March 30, 2004 If netscape brought back a browser, thats based on mozilla, why wouldn't people just get the Mozilla Broswer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bakerster Posted March 30, 2004 Share Posted March 30, 2004 everytime I see a post of yours, it contributes nothing to the thread. Sweet :happy: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HellBender Posted March 30, 2004 Share Posted March 30, 2004 If netscape brought back a browser, thats based on mozilla, why wouldn't people just get the Mozilla Broswer? 1) People are used to netscape. For most people, there are two browsers in the world: Netscape and IE. Mozilla isnt nearly as well known as Netscape. 2) Netscape comes bundled with many things that Mozilla doesnt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bakerster Posted March 30, 2004 Share Posted March 30, 2004 What does Netscape have that Mozzila Doiesnt? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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