Netscape to launch final version of browser

Reshma Kapadia

NEW YORK: Netscape Communications, the maker of the Web-browsing software at
the core of the US government's antitrust case against Microsoft Corp., is set
to make the long-awaited final version of its Netscape 6 browser available to
consumers Tuesday.

Netscape once held nearly 90 per cent of the browser market and was used by
millions as their primary window to the Internet. However, the unit of America
Online Inc. has faced an uphill battle from Microsoft's Internet Explorer, which
is shipped in every Windows PC and holds nearly 70 per cent of the market now.

AOL has an existing deal with Microsoft that requires it to make Internet
Explorer the embedded Web software inside its AOL service until Microsoft's
browser is built into Windows.

The newest version of the Netscape browser, which can run across a variety of
platforms from personal computers to new consumer devices, has been rewritten
completely. It is powered by the Gecko technology and was developed through an
open source project known as Mozilla that took feedback from a volunteer network
of independent Internet programmers.

Netscape senior vice president and general manager Jim Martin said in a phone
interview the latest version will help Netscape regain some of its lost market
share. The latest version of the browser has been downloaded about 3.5 million
times since its first beta version was released in April.

"The fastest growing is the consumer space and small business areas and
I think that's where Netscape has a real strength. Our focus is going to be on
small and medium-sized businesses and the Web-savvy consumer market. I do think
(Netscape 6) is going to give us a tremendous boost," Martin said.

Netscape will have to get third-party and original equipment manufacturer
support, make sure its marketing and ad messages are on the mark and work with
Internet appliance makers to use Netscape's Gecko technology.

The Gecko technology is being used as a major part of the "AOL
Anywhere" strategy. For example, the Internet appliance unveiled by Gateway
Inc. and AOL last week uses the Gecko technology.

"I think in the short-term the personal computer is where it's at, but
we know over the course of the next couple of years we will see continued
migration to anywhere access environment," Martin said.

In contrast to Internet Explorer, Netscape supports Linux and will run on the
operating system, which is an alternative to Microsoft.

Netscape 6 will let users combine browsing, e-mail and instant messaging in
an integrated environment so that it is not necessary to load separate
applications for each communication task.

"One of the first and most obvious (changes) we have added to the final
version is more personalization and customization of the browser itself with
themes," Martin said.

The new browser contains more than 50 different themes so that users can
personalize their browser with corporate colors and the like. It also offers a
password management feature that allows users to store all passwords for all the
sites they visit on regular basis.

Users will also be able to check multiple e-mail accounts from the browser's
new Task Bar called "My Sidebar."

Netscape also has reduced the size of the browser software to make it faster
to download and has set up the installer to allow users to choose only those
components they want.

The latest version of the browser will also be launched Tuesday in Britain,
France, Germany and Japan for the first time, providing international users with
a browser and online environment tailored to their local region.

Netscape is also expected to strike deals with Primedia Inc. to feature print
advertising across its multiple publications.

It is expected to launch major marketing initiatives with Internet service
providers, computer manufacturers and Web companies to distribute the Netscape 6
browser software.

(C) Reuters Limited 2000.