Netscape Browser
Netscape Browser 8.1.3 under Windows
Maintainer:	AOL; originally Mercurial Communications
Stable release:	8.1.3  (April 2, 2007) [+/-]
Preview release:	none  (n/a) [+/-]
OS:	Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows 98, Windows ME
Use:	Web browser
License:	proprietary
Website:	Netscape browser archive

Netscape Browser is the name of a proprietary Windows web browser published by AOL, but developed by Mercurial Communications. It is the eighth major release in name of the Netscape series of browsers, originally produced by the defunct Netscape Communications Corporation. Proprietary software is software with restrictions on using, copying and modifying as enforced by the proprietor. ... Microsoft Windows is the name of several families of proprietary software operating systems by Microsoft. ... An example of a web browser (Internet Explorer), displaying the English Wikipedia main page. ... It has been suggested that AOL search data scandal be merged into this article or section. ... Mercurial Communications Inc. ... Netscape Communications Corporation (commonly known as Netscape), was an American computer services company, best known for its web browser. ...

While Netscape Browser's version numbers start at 8, it is based on Mozilla Firefox, whereas Netscape 6 and 7 were based on Mozilla Application Suite, itself a complete rewrite of the codebase developed in versions 1 through 4 - Netscape Navigator and Netscape Communicator. As with other recent versions, it incorporates support for AOL Instant Messenger, and other AOL-related features. Mozilla Firefox is a graphical web browser developed by the Mozilla Corporation and a large community of external contributors. ... Netscape was a proprietary cross-platform Internet suite created by Netscape Communications Corporation and then in-house by AOL to continue the Netscape series after Netscape 6. ... The Mozilla Application Suite (originally known as Mozilla, marketed as the Mozilla Suite, and code named Seamonkey) is a free, cross-platform internet suite, whose components include a web browser, an e-mail and news client, an HTML editor, and an IRC client. ... Netscape Navigator, also known as Netscape, was a proprietary web browser that was popular during the 1990s. ... Netscape Communicator was a proprietary Internet suite produced by Netscape Communications Corporation. ... AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) is an advertisement-supported proprietary freeware instant messaging and presence computer program which uses the OSCAR instant messaging protocol and the TOC protocol. ...

The Netscape Browser series was succeeded by Netscape Navigator 9. Also see Netscape (web browser) Netscape Navigator 9 is an upcoming release of the Netscape series of browsers produced by Netscape and published by its parent, AOL, first announced on 23 January 2007. ...

History and development

Netscape Browser was first released on November 30, 2004 as a public "prototype," with several other releases before reaching its first full release as "version 8.0" on May 19, 2005. A minor update known as version 8.0.1 was released a few hours later to incorporate the key security patches added in Firefox 1.0.4. November 30 is the 334th day of the year (335th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... shelby was here 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... May 19 is the 139th day of the year (140th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Release history

• Version 0.5.6+ – November 30, 2004 (based on Mozilla Firefox 0.9.3)
• Version 0.6.4 – January 7, 2005 (based on Mozilla Firefox 1.0)
• Version 0.9.4 (8.0 Pre-Beta) – February 17, 2005 (based on Mozilla Firefox 1.0)
• Version 0.9.5 (8.0 Pre-Beta) – February 23, 2005 (based on Mozilla Firefox 1.0)
• Version 0.9.6 (8.0 Beta) – March 3, 2005 (based on Mozilla Firefox 1.0)
• Version 8.0 – May 19, 2005 (based on Mozilla Firefox 1.0.3)
• Version 8.0.1 – May 19, 2005 (based on Mozilla Firefox 1.0.4)
• Version 8.0.2 – June 17, 2005 (based on Mozilla Firefox 1.0.4)
• Version 8.0.3.1 – July 25, 2005 (based on Mozilla Firefox 1.0.6)
• Version 8.0.3.3 – August 8, 2005 (based on Mozilla Firefox 1.0.6)
• Version 8.0.4 – October 19, 2005 (based on Mozilla Firefox 1.0.7)
• Version 8.1 – January 25, 2006 (based on Gecko 1.7.5)
• Version 8.1.2 – September 27, 2006 (based on Gecko 1.7.5)
• Version 8.1.3 – April 2, 2007 (based on Gecko 1.7.5)

November 30 is the 334th day of the year (335th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... shelby was here 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... January 7 is the 7th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... February 17 is the 48th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... February 23 is the 54th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... March 3 is the 62nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (63rd in leap years). ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... May 19 is the 139th day of the year (140th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... May 19 is the 139th day of the year (140th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... June 17 is the 168th day of the year (169th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... July 25 is the 206th day (207th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 159 days remaining. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... August 8 is the 220th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (221st in leap years), with 145 days remaining. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... October 19 is the 292nd day of the year (293rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... January 25 is the 25th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... September 27 is the 270th day of the year (271st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... April 2 is the 92nd day of the year (93rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ...

Features

The Fusion theme included with version 8.0-8.0.4

The revised Fusion theme, included in versions 8.1-8.1.3

Perhaps the most noteworthy feature introduced in Netscape Browser is the ability to use either of two layout engines to render websites — either Internet Explorer's Trident or the Gecko engine used by Mozilla and its derivatives. This is used as part of the browser's "Site Controls" system, which allows security settings to be altered on a per-site basis, and is also touted as a defense against phishing and similar attacks, with both blacklists and whitelists built in and automatically updated regularly. This system decides whether a site is "trusted" or "suspect", while only whitelisted sites use the Trident engine by default. Download high resolution version (1024x738, 171 KB)Netscape Browser 8. ... Download high resolution version (1024x738, 171 KB)Netscape Browser 8. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 500 pixelsFull resolution (1280 × 800 pixel, file size: 230 KB, MIME type: image/png) A screenshot of Netscape Browser 8. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 500 pixelsFull resolution (1280 × 800 pixel, file size: 230 KB, MIME type: image/png) A screenshot of Netscape Browser 8. ... A layout engine, or rendering engine, is a software that takes web content (such as HTML, XML, image files, etc) and formatting information (such as CSS, XSL, etc) and displays the formatted content on the screen. ... Windows Internet Explorer (formerly Microsoft Internet Explorer), and commonly abbreviated to IE, is a series of proprietary graphical web browsers developed by Microsoft and included as part of the Microsoft Windows line of operating systems starting in 1995. ... Trident (also known as MSHTML) is the name of the layout engine for the Microsoft Windows version of Internet Explorer. ... Epiphany using Gecko to render the Wikipedia main page Gecko is the open source, free software web browser layout engine used in all Mozilla-branded software and its derivatives, including later Netscape releases. ... This phishing attempt, disguised as an official email from a (fictional) bank, attempts to trick the banks members into giving away their account information by confirming it at the phishers linked website. ... A blacklist is a list or register of entities who, for one reason or another, are being denied a particular privilege, service, or mobility. ... A white list (or to whitelist, the action), as opposed to a black list, is a list of accepted people/companies/elements/etc. ...

However, this feature is actually implemented by using the IE ActiveX control, which is composed of most of IE's architectures.

Other features highlighted by AOL's publicity include improved tabbed browsing capabilities, a toolbar system called the "MultiBar," which includes up to 10 toolbars in the space of one, and extra support for "Live Content", such as RSS feeds. In keeping with the security emphasis, a new secure form information and password management system, known as a "PassCard," which saves usernames and passwords for individual sites, is also included. In graphical user interfaces in computer applications, a tabbed document interface (TDI) is one that relies on tabbed panes to hold child windows. ... An early toolbar on a Xerox Alto Computer In a graphical user interface on a computer monitor a toolbar is a row, column, or block of onscreen buttons or icons that, when clicked, activate certain functions of the program. ... For RSS feeds from Wikipedia, see Wikipedia:Syndication. ...

In Netscape version 8.1, the Security Center feature is much more integrated into the browser, and extra features, such as ID Theft Protection and Spyware Protection have been integrated.

Netscape includes a host of "widgets" designed to improve the browsing experience, including Local Weather information, Movie Times and reviews, Mapquest maps, Yellow pages, White pages, Stocks, and a City guide, all integrated into menu-enabled toolbar buttons.

Furthermore, a webmail button is included in the toolbar, which links directly to multiple webmail homepages and is configurable for multiple webmail accouts. A button to run the user's default mail client is included. An email client (or mail user agent [MUA]) is a computer program that is used to read and send email. ...

There are multiple smaller features included, including a shortcut menu that appears when text is selected to paste the selected text directly into a search engine of choice.

Finally, the browser includes a pop-up advertisement blocker which can be configured to allow pop-ups for individual sites, block only unrequested pop-ups, and open any pop-ups in new tabs in one window, thus preventing pop-unders. Dozens of pop-up ads cover a desktop. ... Dozens of pop-up ads cover a desktop. ...

Criticism

The Netscape Browser has been criticized for various reasons. Perhaps the most severe is the claim that, in contradiction to its claimed emphasis on security, its use of both the Trident and Gecko rendering engines means it unavoidably inherits all the vulnerabilities of both engines, making it potentially less secure than either Firefox or IE on their own.^[1] Trident (also known as MSHTML) is the name of the layout engine for the Microsoft Windows version of Internet Explorer. ... Epiphany using Gecko to render the Wikipedia main page Gecko is the open source, free software web browser layout engine used in all Mozilla-branded software and its derivatives, including later Netscape releases. ...

Renderer modality problems

The switching between rendering engines may also confuse users, since the web browsing experience is very different depending on which is used. A standards based website will generally render better in Gecko thanks to its better standards support, but Netscape Browser renders whitelisted pages using Trident instead. "As the switching is transparent to the user, users are left wondering why their experience changes randomly across different websites".^[2]

User interface naming issues

The optional theme "Fusion" has also been criticized because it does not conform to the Microsoft Human interface guidelines, either "Luna" or "classic" style, although the default theme, "Winscape", looks more like a traditional Windows application. There is also a claim that the usability of the browser is reduced by not obeying standard Windows manipulations.^[3] Similarly, the excessive nesting of tabs has been cited as a sign of generally poor interface design.^[4] The installation program of Netscape 8.12 prompts the user into which theme would be preferred, with the traditional "Winscape" being checked by default. Human Interface Guidelines (HIG) is a software development document which offers application developers a set of recommendations. ... A tab in graphical user interfaces is a typically rectangular small box (usually containing a text label and/or an icon) associated graphically with a view pane. ...

Helper programs removed

Some users have argued the formerly included email client and HTML editor were more valuable as part of the browser package than new features such as a live weather report and news ticker, especially since these applications were tradition in earlier versions. It should be noted that Firefox, upon which Netscape Browser is based, does not include an email client or HTML editor either. Older Netscape releases were based upon the Mozilla Suite, which did include this functionality. An email client (or mail user agent [MUA]) is a computer program that is used to read and send e-mail. ... An HTML editor is a software application for creating web pages. ... Firefox may refer to: Firefox (novel), written by Craig Thomas, published in 1978 Firefox (film), the 1982 movie starring Clint Eastwood, based on the novel Firefox (arcade game), the laserdisc arcade game based on the movie Mozilla Firefox, a web browser The Red Fox or the Red Panda, based on... Mozilla (a. ...

Collection of personal information

Another criticism is that the browser collects user browsing behavior by default [5]. By default, the option "Allow Netscape to gather anonymous browser usage statistics" is enabled. The option is found in the "Advanced Settings" during installation. As many casual users may skip the dialogs during installation, this feature could be turned on in many installations of Netscape Browser. Some argue this feature should be called spyware, however this term usually applies only to software that attempts to send private information to companies often later selling this to advertisers, whereas the information collected is actually anonymous. Netscape Browser is also not detected as featuring spyware and a danger to the user by antispyware developers, further refuting this opinion. A large number of toolbars, some added by spyware, overwhelm an Internet Explorer session. ...

Password issues

A related possible criticism is that in the browser's password manager menu, saved passwords can be viewed in plain text. This means that if a user has access to another's account, they could easily retrieve all their usernames and passwords in plain text with no trouble at all. Furthermore, this option cannot be turned off or removed without editing the actual software. This problem doesn't happen on the version 8.1.3

XML rendering issue (fixed)

A few days after Netscape 8.0.1 was released, Microsoft reported the browser disables the XML rendering engine in Internet Explorer by causing IE to render XML pages as a blank page.^[6] Netscape fixed the issue in version 8.0.2. The Extensible Markup Language (XML) is a general-purpose markup language. ...

Footnotes

1. ^  NS8, part 1: I need closure. Blake Ross' blog.
2. ^  NS8, part 2: More horsepower than ever before. Blake Ross' blog.
3. ^  Netscape Browser 8.0 Released. MozillaZine.
4. ^  Netscape 8 and Internet Explorer's XML Rendering. IEBlog.
5. ^  Netscape Gecko and Trident Rendering Engine Security Issues. Chris Ilias' Blog.

References

• MozillaZine. (2004). First Look at Firefox-Based Netscape. Retrieved December 4, 2004.
• MozillaZine. (2005). New Netscape Browser Prototype Available. Retrieved January 17, 2005.
• BetaNews. (2005). Netscape Browser 8.0 Beta Goes Live. Retrieved March 3, 2005.
• MozillaZine. (2005). Netscape Browser 8.0 Released. Retrieved May 20, 2005.

December 4th redirects here. ... shelby was here 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... January 17 is the 17th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... March 3 is the 62nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (63rd in leap years). ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... May 20 is the 140th day of the year (141st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

See also

• Netscape
• Mozilla Firefox
• List of web browsers
• Comparison of web browsers

Netscape Communications Corporation (commonly known as Netscape), was an American computer services company, best known for its web browser. ... Mozilla Firefox is a graphical web browser developed by the Mozilla Corporation and a large community of external contributors. ... The following is a list of web browsers. ... The following tables compare general and technical information for a number of web browsers. ...

External links

• Netscape Browser Archive
• Netscape Navigator Homepage
• The more things change… – Criticisms from Mozilla Firefox developer Blake Ross.
• Secunia.com Vulnerability Report - Netscape 8.x
• All versions of Netscape 8