December 28th, 2007
End of an Era: Netscape Browser Development to Cease
By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews
It’s a sad day and the end of an era. Development is to cease on the Netscape browser, which at one time held the largest market share of all browsers, and was the first browser to gain mass popularity.
However, it had been evident for a while that this move was only a matter of time. After all, while Netscape’s big brother Firefox has over 16% of the browser market share, Netscape has only 0.6%.
It was the entry of Microsoft into the “browser wars” with Internet Explorer (IE) that eventually led to the dethroning of Netscape, as competing with a browser built into the OS proved impossible — that and the ubiquitousness of Microsoft in general. Additionally more and more sites began coding for the “uniqueness” of IE.
AOL acquired Netscape Communications Corporation in 1999. However, in 1998 Netscape had created the Mozilla Organization, which eventually spun off into the Mozilla Foundation as AOL’s involvement decreased. This eventually led to Firefox, released in 2004.
For quite some time it’s been evident that Netscape has become just a reskinned Firefox browser, and that’s admitted in AOL’s blog post announcing this move.
Details:
- Support will continue in the form of security updates until Feb. 1, 2008, when all support will end.
- Netscape.com will continue as an Internet portal, though how long that will continue is questionable.
- AOL is going to provide an archive site for older versions of Netscape, though why anyone would use them is beyond me.
We Say: The King is dead. Long live the King!
joe says:
Thanks god, no more checking for browser version netscape scrap when writing javascript!!!
December 28th, 2007 at 3:09 pm
beyond says:
Well thank god. I have never been a NetScrape user myself, I would much rather use something that is faster, cleaner and more compliant.
Firefox works best I think.
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December 28th, 2007 at 3:17 pm
Shawn Dorman says:
As the article points out, this was long-coming. Our website development company, n kahootz software design, stopped supporting Netscape long ago except for those clients that insisted on it.
December 28th, 2007 at 3:21 pm
Daniel Ramos says:
Dealing with customer service and guiding them with their online services can be a bit crazy. Being a computer wiz at my job makes it easy for me. But when you get Mr. Grandpa and he is asking why his internet service is not working properly, you then go through the who procedure…blah, blah, blah…then all of a sudden here you here those bad words, “I’m using Netscape.” Now wonder your temp internet files dont work such as certain cockies, etc. Not to say that Netscape was not good enough, believe me it was…when I was in Jr. High. But I.E. is taking over, hmmm, that’s Microsoft right? Arn’t they the ones taking over the world?
-DRR16
December 28th, 2007 at 3:26 pm
ken rodgers says:
Well this is another good item that AOL has turned to trash.
December 28th, 2007 at 3:27 pm
MiamiMama says:
While I haven’t used netscape in a couple of years, I sure did love netscape - found it easy to use 10 years ago, didn’t crash as often as IE did back in the days….so I want to say THANKS to the Netscape folks for 8 of 12 years usage! Thanks again.
From someone not using Firefox….*lol*
December 28th, 2007 at 3:30 pm
James says:
I am one of the .6%. I still use Netscape 7.2 with integrated email and Composer, a FREE HTML editor. I took a look at Netscape 8 and uninstalled it. I love Netscape and plan to use it as long as I can.
December 28th, 2007 at 3:31 pm
Riot Nrrrd™ says:
This is a real shame!
I am using Netscape 9.0.0.5 as my main browser these days, and it’s great - it’s like Firefox++. It’s built on Firefox 2.0.0.11, so it’s not only an up-to-date browser but it also has added features.
I really thought Netscape 9 heralded the return of Netscape - but I guess the rest of the world wasn’t paying any attention anymore.
I’d like to thank the Netscape 9 programmers who put this fine release together, all in vain.
December 28th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
Marshall says:
Believe it or not I still use v4.79 for reading and participating in several forums, the limited JAVA support prevents the sidebar advertisments from loading leaving me a nice full screen.
There WAY too much JAVA on the internet nowadays, anyone ever wonder why eBay is so slow?
December 28th, 2007 at 3:38 pm
Geren says:
December 28th, 2007 at 3:39 pm
Lou kelley says:
It is Too Bad. Netscape was for many years a really good browser. I especially liked (still do) the way version 7.2 and earlier handled multiple e-mail addresses. I liked the user interface. IE will douptlessly prevail in the long run - and we will all operate our computers in strict accordance with MicroSoft’s rules. Say good by to competition.
December 28th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
HG says:
Sad day indeed, but it had to happen. With so many browsers, the application is just another commodity. With dwindling ad-generated revenue and lack of big buck$ behind it, this begs the question - why even bother!
December 28th, 2007 at 3:43 pm
Steve H says:
For those like James that love the Netscape integrated suite, the Seamonkey project is still carrying the torch. It’s the very worthy successor project to the Mozilla suite. Never heard of it? Well, publicity doesn’t seem to be Seamonkey’s strong suit, but check it out if you like the suite.
December 28th, 2007 at 3:47 pm
HL says:
Netscape was not the first. Anybody still remember NCSA Mosaic?
December 28th, 2007 at 9:38 pm
degustibus says:
My wife won’t use anything but Nscape 7.2. Unfortunately it has a bug of some kind and periodically reinstalls itself, losing bookmarks and email — which I can find and get her going again, it’s a nuisance. But she claims other browsers give her headaches and seizures. No matter that her crashes give me headaches and seizures. That’s right, she hasn’t learned any new software since, oh, 1999 and lamented the passing of Win98.
December 29th, 2007 at 9:37 am
Cynth says:
It was a sad day when I had to abandon Netscape 4.x for a newer browser AND email client. I love love loved the integration of browser, mail client, newsgroup reader, and HTML editor all in one program. None of the later versions worked as well as Netscape 4x (especially the AOL versions).
December 29th, 2007 at 9:40 am
Yojimbo says:
Well, the internet has been around long enough for a few of us to get nostalgic and misty-eyed about the passing of our pioneer browser. Irrational, I know, but there is great satisfaction in not using Microsoft products, most especially IE. So what becomes of “Netscape” as a registered trademark?
December 29th, 2007 at 12:26 pm
Jim says:
“So what becomes of “Netscape” as a registered trademark?”
It would be great if Seamonkey could get the rights to this and “resurrect” netscape! I always loved that name.
What the heck do the names Firefox or Seamonkey have to do with the internet anyway
December 31st, 2007 at 7:19 am