- Netscape (web browser)
-
Netscape Navigator 
Developer(s) Netscape Communications
AOLInitial release 15 December 1994 Stable release 9.0.0.6 / February 20, 2008 Development status Unmaintained as of March 1, 2008 Written in C++ Operating system Cross-platform Type Web browser License Proprietary Website archive.netscape.com Netscape was the general name for a series of web browsers originally produced by Netscape Communications Corporation, now a subsidiary of AOL. The original browser was once the dominant browser in terms of usage share, but as a result of the first browser war it lost virtually all of its share to Internet Explorer.
Netscape was discontinued and support for all Netscape browsers and client products was terminated on March 1, 2008.[1][2]
Contents
A screenshot of Netscape 1.2 on Windows 3.1
Main article: Netscape NavigatorNetscape Navigator was the name of Netscape's web browser from versions 1.0 through 4.8. The first beta release versions of the browser were released in 1994 and known as Mosaic and then Mosaic Netscape until a legal challenge from the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (makers of NCSA Mosaic, which many of Netscape's founders used to develop), led to the name change to Netscape Navigator. The company's name also changed from Mosaic Communications Corporation to Netscape Communications Corporation.
The browser was easily the most advanced available and was therefore an instant success, becoming market leader while still in beta. Netscape's feature-count and market share continued to grow rapidly after version 1.0 was released. Version 2.0 added a full mail reader called Netscape Mail, thus transforming Netscape from a mere web browser to an Internet suite. During this period, both the browser and the suite were known as Netscape Navigator. Around the same time, AOL started bundling their software with Microsoft's Internet Explorer.
Version 3.0 of Netscape (the first beta was codenamed "Atlas") was the first to face any serious competition in the form of Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0. Netscape, however, easily held off Microsoft's challenge and remained the number one browser for the time being. Version 3.0 was also available in a "Gold" version which featured a WYSIWYG HTML editor (later added to Netscape Communicator as a standard feature). Netscape 3.0 introduced many new features such as new plug-ins, background colors for tables, the archive attribute and the applet element. Netscape Navigator 3 was a huge success and the undisputed web browser giant in its time with over 90% share, but was later eroded by the free Internet Explorer included with Windows 98. The highest version in this line was 3.04.
Netscape Communicator (versions 4.0–4.8)
Main article: Netscape CommunicatorNetscape 4 addressed the problem of Netscape Navigator being used as both the name of the suite and the browser contained within it by renaming the suite to Netscape Communicator.
After releasing five preview releases from 1996–1997, Netscape Corp. released the final version of Netscape Communicator in June 1997. This new version, more or less based on Netscape Navigator 3 Code, updated and added new features (such as support of certain CSS1 elements, minimal dynamic font support and the proprietary object element). The new suite was successful, despite increasing competition from Internet Explorer 4.0 and problems with the outdated browser core. The Communicator suite was made up of Netscape Navigator, Netscape Mail and Newsgroups, Netscape Address Book and Netscape Composer (an HTML editor, which later became Mozilla Composer and eventually was split off into a completely separate product, Nvu). In October 1998 version 4.5 of Netscape Communicator was released. This new version featured various functionality improvements, especially in the Mail/News component, but did not update the browser core (which, in its functionality, was basically identical with version 4.08). Only one month later, Netscape Communications Corporation was bought by AOL. A standalone version of Netscape Navigator was still available, but this was discontinued after version 4.08 for Windows. However, standalone versions for other operating systems such as Unix/Linux were maintained up to version 4.8.
In January 1998, Netscape Communications Corporation announced that all future versions of their software would be free of charge and developed by an Open Source Community (Mozilla). Netscape Communicator 5.0 was announced (codenamed "Gromit"). But there were significant delays to the release of Netscape's next major version and Communicator therefore aged badly over the many years it was still used. As a result of this, and a more advanced support of HTML 4, CSS, DOM, and ECMAScript by Internet Explorer starting with version 4, the more up-to-date Internet Explorer 5.0 became the market leader. In November 1998 work on Netscape 5.0 was cancelled in favor of developing a completely new program from scratch.
Netscape Communicator 5.0 (canceled)
Netscape 5.0 (codenamed "Gromit"[3]) was a continuation of the 4.x code, but only two pre-alpha versions were written, one based on original Communicator code and another focused on Gecko. [4] It featured a layout engine called Mariner. Mariner was designed to provide stability and performance enhancements. However, Netscape chose to form the Mozilla Foundation and develop the Mozilla Application Suite based on a new engine. Mozilla eventually became Netscape 6.
Mozilla Application Suite-based releases
Netscape 6 (versions 6.0–6.2.3)
Netscape Navigator 6.1Main article: Netscape 6In 1998, an informal group called the Mozilla Organization was formed and largely funded by Netscape (the vast majority of programmers working on the code were paid by Netscape) to co-ordinate the development of Netscape 5 (codenamed "Gromit"), which would be based on the Communicator source code. However, the aging Communicator code proved difficult to work with and the decision was made to scrap Netscape 5 and re-write the source code. The re-written source code was in the form of the Mozilla web browser, which, with a few additions, Netscape 6 was based on.
This decision meant that Netscape's next major version was severely delayed. In the meantime, Netscape was taken over by AOL who, acting under pressure from the Web Standards Project, forced its new division to release Netscape 6.0 in 2000. The suite again consisted of Netscape Navigator and the other Communicator components, with the addition of a built-in AOL Instant Messenger client, Netscape Instant Messenger. However, it was clear that Netscape 6 was not yet ready for release and it flopped badly. It was based on Mozilla 0.6, which was not ready to be used by the general public yet due to many serious bugs that would cause it to crash often or render web pages slowly.
Later versions of Netscape 6 were much improved (6.2.x was regarded as an especially good release), but the browser still struggled to make an impact on a disappointed community.
Netscape (versions 7.0–7.2)
Main article: Netscape (version 7)Netscape 7.0 (codenamed "Mach Five" and based on Mozilla 1.0.1) was released in August 2002 was a direct continuation of Netscape 6 with very similar components. It picked up a few users, but was still very much a minority browser, one of the problems being that Mozilla itself was a worthy adversary. In addition, AOL had decided to deactivate Mozilla's popup-blocker functionality in Netscape 7.0, which created an outrage in the community. AOL learned the lesson for Netscape 7.01 and allowed Netscape to reinstate the popup-blocker. Netscape also introduced a new AOL-free-version (without the usual AOL addons) of the browser suite. Netscape 7.1 (codenamed "Buffy" and based on Mozilla 1.4) was released in June 2003.
In 2003, AOL closed down its Netscape division and laid-off or re-assigned all of Netscape's employees. Mozilla.org continued, however, as the independent Mozilla Foundation, taking on many of Netscape's ex-employees. AOL continued to develop Netscape in-house, but, due to there being no staff committed to it, improvements were minimal.
One year later, in August 2004, the last version based on Mozilla was released: Netscape 7.2, based on Mozilla 1.7.2.
Mozilla Firefox-based releases
Netscape Browser (version 8.0–8.1.3)
Netscape Browser 8.1.3Main article: Netscape BrowserBetween 2005 and 2007, Netscape's releases became known as Netscape Browser. AOL chose to base Netscape Browser on the relatively successful Mozilla Firefox, a re-written version of Mozilla produced by the Mozilla Foundation. This release is not a full Internet suite as before, but is solely a web browser. Other controversial decisions include these versions being made only Gecko rendering engine of previous releases and the Trident engine used in Internet Explorer.
AOL's acquisition of Netscape years ago made it less of a surprise when the company laid off the Netscape team and outsourced development to Mercurial Communications.
Netscape Browser 8.1.3 was released on April 2, 2007, and included general bug fixes identified in versions 8.0–8.1.2[5][6]
Netscape Navigator 9.0Main article: Netscape Navigator 9Netscape confirmed on 23 January 2007 that Netscape Browser versions 8.0-8.1.2 was to be succeeded by a new stand-alone browser release, Netscape Navigator 9. Its features were said to include newsfeed support and become more integrated with the Propeller Internet portal,[7] alongside more enhanced methods of discussion, submission and voting on web pages.[8] It also sees the browser return to multi-platform support across Windows, Linux and Mac OS X.[9] Like Netscape version 8.x, the new release was based upon the popular Mozilla Firefox (version 2.0), and had full support of all Firefox add-ons and plugins, some of which Netscape provided.[10] Also for the first time since 2004, the browser was produced in-house with its own programming staff.[11]
A beta of the program was first released on 5 June 2007.[12] The final version was released on October 15, 2007.
On December 28, 2007, Netscape developers announced that AOL would discontinue their web browser on February 1, 2008, due to low market share.[13] On January 28, 2008, Netscape revised this date to March 1, 2008, and offered support for migration to Flock and Mozilla Firefox.[14]
Release compatibility
Operating system Latest version Mac OS v9.x-10.0 7.0.2 v10.1 7.2 v10.2-10.5 9.0.0.6 Microsoft Windows 3.1 4.08 95 6.2.3 98 7.2 98SE-Vista 9.0.0.6 Release history
Key: Internal Build Old final version Final version Pre-release version Browser Name Series Version Based on Release date Notes Mosaic Netscape 0.x 0.4 Netscape September 9, 1994 First public beta release 0.5 Netscape September 18, 1994 0.6 Netscape September 26, 1994 0.7 Netscape October, 1994 0.8 Netscape October, 1994 0.9 Netscape October 13, 1994 0.91 Netscape October, 1994 0.92 Netscape October, 1994 0.93 Netscape November, 1994 Netscape Navigator 0.94 Netscape November 21, 1994 0.96 Netscape December 7, 1994 1.x 1.0 Netscape December 15, 1994 First non-beta release 1.1 Netscape March 1995 1.22 Netscape August 1995 2.x 2.0 Netscape September 18, 1995 Including JavaScript support, Java support, plug-ins, integrated Messenger / Collabra, Auto-dither, Live3D. Support for font color, div, wrap and textarea tags. Superscript / subscript, Animated GIF 2.01 Netscape March 18, 1996 2.02 Netscape 3.x 3.0 Netscape August 19, 1996 Added support for LiveAudio, LiveVideo, QuickTime, POP3, HTML 3.2 and extra tags. 3.01 Netscape 3.02 Netscape 3.03 Netscape July 31, 1997 3.04 Netscape October 4, 1997 Netscape Navigator / Communicator 4.x 4.0 Netscape June 11, 1997 Suite version marketed as Netscape Communicator included Navigator, Messenger, Composer, Collabra, Netcaster, and Conference. 4.01 Netscape June 18, 1997 4.01a Netscape July 19, 1997 4.02 Netscape August 18, 1997 4.03 Netscape September 14, 1997 4.04 Netscape November 14, 1997 4.05 Netscape April 2, 1998 4.06 Netscape August 17, 1998 Added Macromedia Flash plug-in, "Smart Browsing" and NetWatch. 4.07 Netscape October 5, 1998 4.08 Netscape November 9, 1998 last release for 16-bit Windows and 68k Macs Netscape Communicator 4.5 Netscape October 19, 1998 Added integrated / Internet messaging, enhanced SmartBrowsing 4.51 Netscape March 8, 1999 4.6 Netscape May 18, 1999 Added AIM, RealPlayer G2, NetHelp 4.61 Netscape June 14, 1999 4.7 Netscape September 30, 1999 Added Netscape Radio, Shop@Netscape, AIM 3.0, Winamp and PalmPilot. 4.72 Netscape February 22, 2000 Removed Calendar Client feature 4.73 Netscape May 5, 2000 Added new 128-bit strong encryption 4.74 Netscape July 22, 2000 4.75 Netscape September 17, 2000 4.76 Netscape October 25, 2000 4.77 Netscape April 16, 2001 4.78 Netscape July 20, 2001 4.79 Netscape November 10, 2001 4.8 Netscape August 22, 2002 Final Communicator-based release Netscape 5 5.x PreAlpha1 Netscape Never released, didn't reach Alpha or Beta status PreAlpha2 NSLayout Netscape 6 6.x 6.0 Mozilla 0.6 November 14, 2000 First Netscape release based on pre-release Mozilla Application Suite. Included Sidebar, customisable installer size, integrated search, themes, privacy protection and multiple e-mail accounts. 6.01 Mozilla 0.7 February 9, 2001 6.1 Mozilla 0.9.2.1 August 8, 2001 Added new default interface, searching from location bar, Mac OS X support on preview release. 6.2 Mozilla 0.9.4.1 October 30, 2001 Improved QuickLaunch, AutoComplete. Full support for Mac OS X and Windows XP 6.2.1 Mozilla 0.9.4.1 6.2.2 Mozilla 0.9.4.1 6.2.3 Mozilla 0.9.4.1 May 15, 2002 Netscape 7 7.x 7.0 Mozilla 1.0.1 August 29, 2002 Based on final Mozilla Suite releases. Added tabbed browsing, pop-up blocker, full-screen mode, download manager, P3P support. 7.01 Mozilla 1.0.2 December 10, 2002 7.02 Mozilla 1.0.2 February 18, 2003 Last release to support Mac OS 9. 7.1 Mozilla 1.4 June 30, 2003 Support Windows Media Player ActiveX control, web services by JavaScript API's. 7.2 Mozilla 1.7.2 August 17, 2004 Improved password manager, vCard support, Palm Sync. Added Netscape Toolbar and table editing in Composer. Netscape Browser 8.x 0.5.6 Firefox 0.9.3 November 30, 2004 Stand-alone Windows-only browser based on Firefox, beta version. Uses both Gecko and Trident layout engines. Added site controls, multibar, password auto-fill, and advanced tabbed browsing controls. 0.6.4 Firefox 1.0 January 7, 2005 Pre-beta version 0.9.4 Firefox 1.0 February 17, 2005 Pre-beta version 0.9.5 Firefox 1.0 February 23, 2005 Pre-beta version 0.9.6 Firefox 1.0 March 3, 2005 Beta version 8.0 Firefox 1.0.3 May 19, 2005 Finished Netscape 8 release 8.0.1 Firefox 1.0.3 May 19, 2005 8.0.2 Firefox 1.0.4 June 17, 2005 8.0.3.1 Firefox 1.0.6 July 25, 2005 8.0.3.3 Firefox 1.0.6 August 8, 2005 8.0.3.4 Firefox 1.0.6 August 17, 2005 8.0.4 Firefox 1.0.7 October 19, 2005 8.1 Firefox 1.0.7 January 25, 2006 Added spyware and adware protection, new Dynamic Security Centre, profile manager, new options panel, and enhanced RSS controls. 8.1.2 Firefox 1.0.8 September 27, 2006 8.1.3 Firefox 1.0.8 April 2, 2007 Final Netscape 8 release Netscape Navigator 9.x 9.0b1 Firefox 2.0.0.4 June 15, 2007 Stand-alone browser based on Mozilla Firefox 2, total re-write from Netscape 8.x. Gecko-only support. Added Netscape.com integration, enhanced FTP listing interface, customizable link-pad, multi-platform support, greater Firefox add-on compatibility, and new user interface. 9.0b2 Firefox 2.0.0.4 July 12, 2007 Added greater tabbed browsing options 9.0b3 Firefox 2.0.0.6 August 15, 2007 Removed Propeller integration. 9.0rc1 Firefox 2.0.0.6 October 1, 2007 Re-added optional splash screen 9.0 Firefox 2.0.0.7 October 15, 2007 Finished Navigator 9 release 9.0.0.1 Firefox 2.0.0.8 October 22, 2007 9.0.0.2 Firefox 2.0.0.8 November 1, 2007 9.0.0.3 Firefox 2.0.0.9 November 2, 2007 9.0.0.4 Firefox 2.0.0.10 November 27, 2007 9.0.0.5 Firefox 2.0.0.11 December 11, 2007 9.0.0.6 Firefox 2.0.0.12 February 20, 2008 Final version of Navigator 9. Support discontinued March 1, 2008. See also
References
- ^ Home :: The Netscape Archive
- ^ Netscape Navigator heads to the twilight of oblivion - Internet
- ^ Mike Pinkerton, "Open Source Developers at Google Speaker Series: Camino", January 19, 2007
- ^ Sillydog.org forums - discussion of Netscape 5 with two versions available to download
- ^ Netscape Community - Netscape 8.1.3 Retrieved on 8 February 2007.
- ^ Netscape Community - Netscape 8.1.3 released Retrieved on 8 February 2007.
- ^ Netscape 9.0 confirmed on Netscape's community support board Retrieved on January 24, 2007
- ^ Netscape 9 - 20 February Announcement Retrieved on February 20, 2007
- ^ Netscape 9.0 30- Jan 07 announcement Retrieved on January 30, 2007
- ^ Netscape 9 - 6 February 2007 announcement Retrieved on February 6, 2007
- ^ Netscape announces cross-platform Netscape 9 to be developed in-house - Mozillazine Retrieved on February 5, 2007
- ^ Netscape 9.0b1 released Retrieved on 5 June 2007
- ^ "The Netscape Blog". Netscape, AOL. http://blog.netscape.com/2007/12/28/end-of-support-for-netscape-web-browsers/. Retrieved 2007-12-28..
- ^ "The Netscape Blog". Netscape, AOL. http://blog.netscape.com/2008/01/28/netscape-browser-support-extended-to-march-1st/. Retrieved 2008-01-28.
External links
- The Netscape Archive
- Netscape Browser Archive, SillyDog701
- OldVersion.com - Netscape Download Archive
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ProprietaryDiscontinued clients Agora · Arena · AT&T Pogo · Beonex Communicator · Cello · Cyberjack · Galeon · IBrowse · Internet Explorer for Mac · Minimo · Minuet · Mosaic · Mozilla Application Suite · Netscape Browser · Netscape Communicator · Netscape Navigator 9 · SlipKnot · tkWWW · UdiWWWPreviously supported Server software Persons See also Gopher+ · GopherVR · Jughead · Libwww · Phlog · SDF Public Access Unix System · Veronica · CCSO Nameserver · Wide area information serverBrowsing software E-mail clients Other components Server software Web services People See also Internet suites Current Discontinued AOL OpenRide · Beonex Communicator · Cyberdog · Cyberjack · Emissary · Internet Explorer 3, 4, 5 · Minuet · Mozilla · Netscape 5 · Netscape 6 & 7 · Netscape CommunicatorRelated technologies HyperCard · Gopher · Email · Elm · Viewdata · Teletext · Videotex · X.25 · Aliweb · ASCII · HyperText Markup Language · HyTelnet · Libwww · Virtual Reality Markup Language · File Transfer Protocol · Telnet · NLS · NCSA Telnet · UUCP · Usenet · ARPANET · BITNET · Prodigy · CompuServe · 3D Markup Language for WebRelated articles Browser wars · Web page · World Wide Web · Whole Internet User's Guide and Catalog · List of web browsers · List of web browsers for Unix/Linux · Comparison of web browsers · Usage share of web browsers · Timeline of web browsersCategories:- Netscape
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